Ireland - Ltd Company Incorporation

The principal features of companies in the Republic of Ireland are:

• Directors must be individuals and not corporate entities.
• One of the directors must be resident in Ireland. There are no other constraints on non-resident or non national directors. Alternatively you can enter into a non resident director bond.
• A company secretary can be either an individual or company and may or may not be resident in Ireland.
• The company must have a real and substantive presence in Ireland and not merely a local registered office.
• The company must at the time of incorporation be specific about its intended objects.
• Irish law demands that all limited companies have an official company seal.
• Shares should be denominated in Euros (€'s).

The first step to incorporate is check the availability of the company name

Company Name

This is the name of your business. There are some restrictions, the main one being that it must be unique.

Company registered office

This is the official address of your business where all official documents are served. This does not have to be your trading address but it must be located in Ireland, residential addresses are permitted.

Two company directors

Irish companies require the address, date of birth of each director and any other directorships, of at least two individuals over the age of 18 with one director being a permanent resident of the country.

Company secretary

Irish companies are required to have a company secretary who has the legal duty of filing all required documents and accounts. This may be an individual in which case their personal details are required, or a Corporation in which case it's name and registered office.

Principle activities

The companies purpose must be outlined in its memorandum and articles of association and given a corresponding NACE code. We do this for you, we just need to know the purpose of your company

• Setting up a limited liability company offers just that: limited liability.
• Greater degree of business credibility of trading through a limited company.
• Ownership of a limited company can be spread over a greater number of people.
• Shareholders in a limited liability company are only liable to lose the share capital to which they subscribe.
• The rights of shareholders are clearly defined and protected.
• Employees can acquire shares.
• A company is a legal form of a business organisation, which is classed as a separate legal entity and, therefore, is separate and distinct from those who run it; the company, and not the individual shareholders.
• For sole traders and in partnerships, the individuals’ personal assets are at risk if there is a claim against the organisation.
• A company pension scheme can be secured through a limited company.
• A limited company has a greater ability to raise finance by the issue of shares and also under the Business Expansion Scheme.
• The company's name is protected: incorporation protects the name from use by another Limited company.
• Limited companies have flexible borrowing powers.
• The company continues despite the death, resignation or bankruptcy of members.
• The interests and obligations of the directors are defined.
• Appointment, retirement or removal of directors is straightforward.