Available Corporate FormThe most common and practical structure for international business in Ireland is the
Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD).
Irish LTD companies are widely used for IT businesses, SaaS projects, e-commerce, consulting, holding, and service structures targeting the EU market. Company registration allows 100% foreign ownership with no mandatory local partner.
Who Can Be a ShareholderAn Irish company may be owned by:
- an individual of any nationality, including non-EU residents;
- a legal entity (foreign companies are permitted);
- one or multiple shareholders, subject to full disclosure under AML/KYC and banking compliance requirements.
Director and Residency RequirementsAn Irish LTD may appoint a single director, which is a significant operational advantage.
However, Irish legislation requires:
- at least one director who is a resident of the EEA (EU/EEA),
- or, alternatively:
- a Section 137 bond in the amount of €25,000 (typically issued for two years),
- or a Section 140 certificate, confirming a genuine economic link with Ireland.
These mechanisms are widely accepted in practice and recognised by banks and regulatory authorities.
Company Secretary (Mandatory)Every Irish LTD must appoint a Company Secretary.
If the company has only one director, that individual cannot act as Company Secretary simultaneously – a separate natural or legal person must be appointed.
The Company Secretary plays a key role in corporate compliance and interaction with the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
Registered OfficeAn Irish company must maintain a registered office address in Ireland, which is used for:
- registration with the CRO;
- official correspondence;
- tax authorities and banking compliance purposes.
KYC/AML and Founder DocumentationFor company incorporation and subsequent banking or EMI onboarding, a standard compliance package is required:
- passports or IDs of directors and shareholders;
- proof of residential address;
- beneficial ownership (UBO) information;
- ownership and control structure;
- business description and source of funds (in line with bank and EMI requirements).
Proper preparation of these documents directly affects incorporation timelines, bank account approval, and long-term payment infrastructure stability within the EU.