Ireland Hero

Ireland

Are you looking to expand into the EU? Then, Ireland is an ideal first step. The ease of setting up, an advantageous tax regime, a deep talent pool, and an established ecosystem of headquartered multinational companies all work in your favor. 

Expand Now

At a Glance

Local Bank Acct.

No

Representation

Yes

Local representation

PAYROLL FREQUENCY

MONTHLY, WEEKLY

Local Registration

No

EMPLOYER TAXES

8.8% - 11.05% 

Of Gross Salary

13TH/14TH SALARY

N/A

Back To The Top

Good to Know

  • All Irish companies must have an EEA-resident director. If not available within the organization, the company can either: (1) engage a local as a nominee director; (2) take out a S137 insurance bond to cover fines and penalties by the Irish Companies Registration Office (CRO) or tax authority; or (3) apply for an exemption.

  • Employers must contribute to social security (PRSI) in Ireland. The rate for most employees is 11.05% of their gross salary. Starting in 2024, Ireland will introduce pension auto-enrollment; employers will be required to contribute 1.5% of gross salary. Both rates are low in an EU context.

  • To be a tax resident in Ireland, companies must be managed and controlled from there. There are no set criteria, so factors like board meeting locations are very important. Ireland has an extensive tax treaty network, and tax withholding on dividends to foreign group companies is typically nil.

Ireland Body
Back To The Top

Top Challenges

Opening Bank Account

Although having an Irish bank account is not a legal requirement, the lack of one can create logistical difficulties, particularly with the Revenue office (tax authority). Opening an account with a local bank can take months; however, attendance in person by the directors can expedite the process.

Managing Payroll

Ireland operates a real-time reporting payroll system, which means that employees should not be paid until the associated filings are made to the Revenue office. Corporate tax registration is straightforward but there can be delays in obtaining PPS (social security) numbers for non-nationals who have not worked in Ireland.

Understanding Rights

As with any EU jurisdiction, employees have strong protections under the employment law framework. It is important employers understand those rights (e.g. around maternity leave, sick pay, redundancy entitlements) from the start and ensure that proper procedures are implemented and documented.

Back To The Top

Next Steps

  • You don’t know what you don’t know — and that’s where our local expertise comes in. Our expert-led managed services and technical consulting are designed to help you thrive in Ireland and throughout the world, regardless of regulatory complexity.

  • We back up our expertise with GateWay, our pioneering global expansion management system (GXM) that empowers you to effortlessly and compliantly manage your international footprint. This platform is your one-stop-shop for global growth.

Contact green check image

Learn More About How We Can Simplify Your Expansion Goals

Contact Us
Back To The Top