Do business in Ireland. Without the mess.
Incorporate a Private Limited Company, register for VAT, and stay compliant with the CRO and Revenue Commissioners, all through one platform. Ireland's 12.5% tax rate is just the start.
Trusted by global businesses
Why Ireland
Europe's lowest corporate tax rate. The English-speaking EU gateway.
Ireland offers a rare combination: EU membership, English as the primary business language, common law legal system, and a 12.5% corporation tax rate that applies to active trading income. For US and global companies seeking a European base, Ireland is the default choice, home to the European headquarters of Apple, Google, Meta, Pfizer, and hundreds of other global companies.
The compliance picture is more nuanced. At least one EEA-resident director is required by law, or a Section 137 bond must be posted. A company secretary must be appointed separately. Annual returns to the Companies Registration Office (CRO) and Revenue filings are mandatory from day one. Commenda handles every step of setup and ongoing compliance so nothing falls through the cracks.
Start your Irish entity- 12.5%Corporation Tax rateIreland's headline rate on active trading income, one of the lowest in the EU and a primary driver of foreign direct investment from the US and globally.
- 6.25%Knowledge Development Box rateIP income from qualifying patents, software, and innovations can be taxed at 6.25% under Ireland's Knowledge Development Box regime.
- 3–5Days to incorporateMost Irish Private Limited Companies are incorporated within 3–5 business days once documentation is submitted to the Companies Registration Office.
- #1EU destination for US FDIIreland receives more US foreign direct investment per capita than any other EU country, hosting the European headquarters of nine of the world's top ten software companies.
Product Suite
One platform.
Every jurisdiction. No gaps.
Built for finance teams running international operations without a dedicated compliance function. This is the infrastructure you should have had from day one.
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Entity Management
Formation, maintenance, and oversight for subsidiaries across 70+ countries.
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Global Indirect Tax
VAT, GST, and sales tax obligations tracked, filed, and confirmed.
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Transfer Pricing
Intercompany policy, documentation, and filing - built to OECD standards.
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Tax & Accounting
Consolidated financial reporting and local corporate tax filings. One audit trail.
Entity types
Choose the right structure for your business
Recommended
Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD)
The most common corporate structure for SMEs and foreign-owned subsidiaries in Ireland. Governed by the Companies Act 2014, it offers strong limited liability protection, a straightforward governance structure, and full access to Ireland's 12.5% corporation tax rate. Registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
Benefits
- Limited liability: shareholders' personal assets are protected; liability is capped at their share capital contribution
- 100% foreign ownership permitted, with no Irish or EEA shareholder required
- Access to Ireland's 12.5% corporation tax rate on active trading income
- English-language legal and regulatory environment under a common law system
- EU single market access for goods, services, capital, and people
- Eligible for R&D tax credits (25% credit on qualifying expenditure) and the Knowledge Development Box (6.25% rate on qualifying IP income)
Key considerations
- At least one director must be an EEA resident, or a Section 137 bond (currently €25,000) must be in place; Commenda advises on how to meet this requirement
- A separate company secretary must be appointed (cannot be the same person as the sole director)
- Annual returns must be filed with the CRO and financial statements submitted each year
- Corporation tax returns filed with Revenue (Irish Revenue Commissioners) annually
- VAT registration mandatory once turnover exceeds the relevant threshold (€40,000 for services, €80,000 for goods)
How it works
From kickoff to open for business in Ireland
Incorporating in a new country means unfamiliar filings, local requirements, and moving parts across multiple vendors.
We handle all of it so you don't have to.
Day 1
Onboarding
Your details submitted once. Entity name checked, documents collected, filings kicked off. No back-and-forth.
Days 1–3
Entity confirmed
Incorporation done. Formation documents, company number, and registered address live in your Commenda dashboard.
Week 1–2
Tax setup
Tax registrations filed, banking guidance underway. Compliance calendar set for your jurisdiction.
Week 2
Open for business
You're operational in a new market. Without a single trip to a government office.
G2 Reviews
Rated by the teams using it
Scores from finance and legal leads handling compliance globally.
Entity Management
#1 Ranked9.6/ 10Set up your entity and keep it in good standing. Filings, records, and renewals tracked in one place.
Corporate Tax & Compliance
Top Rated9.1/ 10Every tax deadline on one calendar. Corporate returns and statutory filings handled without the back-and-forth.
Sales Tax & VAT/GST
Commenda Leads9.4/ 10Register for VAT, GST, and sales tax in every country you operate in, and manage it all in one place.
Ireland resources
Everything you need for your Ireland operations
Detailed guides on tax, compliance, and business structure in Ireland.
- Incorporation
How to Incorporate in Ireland
LTD structure, EEA director requirement, CRO process, costs, and timelines. Everything before you file.
Read guide - Tax Guide
Corporate Taxes in Ireland
Ireland's 12.5% rate, OECD Pillar Two implications, R&D tax credits, and the Knowledge Development Box.
Read guide - Indirect Tax
VAT in Ireland
Ireland's registration thresholds, 23% standard rate, and VAT One Stop Shop rules for digital services.
Read guide - Directors
Resident Director Services in Ireland
Ireland requires at least one EEA-resident director. Learn how to meet the requirement or arrange a Section 137 bond.
Read guide - Compliance
Annual Compliance Calendar for Ireland
Every CRO and Revenue filing deadline your Irish entity needs to hit.
Read guide - Transfer Pricing
Transfer Pricing in Ireland
Ireland's arm's-length rules, Revenue's guidance on OECD alignment, and documentation requirements.
Read guide
FAQ
Common questions
Yes. Under the Companies Act 2014, at least one director of an Irish company must be ordinarily resident in an EEA member state. If you cannot provide an EEA-resident director, a Section 137 bond (currently €25,000) must be in place as an alternative. Commenda advises on both routes and can help you identify appropriate solutions.
Yes. There are no nationality or residency restrictions on shareholders. A company or individual from any country can own 100% of an Irish LTD. The only local requirement is that at least one director is an EEA resident (or a bond is in place).
No. Commenda supports fully remote incorporations through digital onboarding, from CRO registration through to Revenue tax enrollment, registered office, company secretary appointment, and banking guidance. No travel is required.
Ireland's 12.5% rate on active trading income has been a cornerstone of its inward investment policy since 1999. It applies to genuine trading activities, not passive holding companies, and has attracted the European headquarters of Apple, Google, Meta, LinkedIn, Pfizer, and hundreds of other global companies. Under OECD Pillar Two, multinational groups with €750M+ in annual revenue are subject to a 15% global minimum rate, but Ireland's 12.5% rate continues to apply fully to smaller companies and to domestic income.
After incorporating you'll need to file an annual return with the CRO (including financial statements), submit a Corporation Tax return to Revenue, and comply with any VAT, PAYE, and payroll obligations. A separate company secretary must be maintained at all times. Commenda's managed compliance service handles every filing so your entity stays in good standing.
Yes. Every Irish company is required to appoint a company secretary, who is responsible for maintaining statutory records, ensuring CRO filings are made on time, and advising the board on compliance. The company secretary must be a separate person from the sole director (if only one director is appointed). Commenda provides company secretary services as part of the post-incorporation package.
Join hundreds of international businesses growing fast with Commenda
Tell us where you're expanding and we'll scope the requirements, handle the filing, and keep your entity compliant, usually within 24 hours of kickoff.
