Launch your company
Turn your project into an Irish company.
When you're ready for contracts, investment or co-founders with shares, an Irish private limited company (LTD) is the usual next step. Here's how it works, what it costs, and partners we trust to set it up.
General information, not legal, tax or immigration advice.
Your launch plan
Plan your company in five questions.
Tell us about your setup and we'll build a plan: what you need, what to check first, and the authorised partners that fit.
Question 1 of 5
General information, not advice
Do you need a company yet?
You don't need a company to build a prototype, talk to users or enter a competition.
Founders usually incorporate when they sign contracts with customers, take investment or grants that require a company, bring in co-founders with shares on paper, or want limited liability.
The alternative is trading as a sole trader: register with Revenue, less admin, but you're personally liable. An accountant can tell you which suits you.
An Irish LTD in brief
- Directors
- At least one. Unless one of them lives in the EEA, the company needs a section 137 bond.
- Company secretary
- Every company needs one. A sole director can't also be the secretary.
- Registered office
- An address in Ireland for official post. It can be a provider's address.
- Shareholders
- 1 to 149. Founders usually hold the shares and decide the split before filing.
Four steps
01
Check you're ready
Answer five questions below. Nothing is stored.
02
Choose a partner
Pick an authorised provider and continue with them. We only pass on your name and email, with your consent.
03
They form the company
Identity checks, the A1 form, signatures and the filing with the CRO. Usually about a week.
04
Keep on top of filings
Add your company to My company and we'll remind you of its filing dates.
What Founder Quarter does
- Explains the steps and the costs
- Lists authorised partners, with member discounts
- Reminds you of your company's filing dates
- Runs workshops with partners and accountants
What the partner does
- Checks everyone's identity (anti-money-laundering rules)
- Prepares and files the A1 form and the constitution
- Provides the registered office and company secretary
- Bills you directly: you contract with them
What it costs
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CRO filing fee (online)Paid to the Companies Registration Office, usually through the partner. | €50 | Paid to the Companies Registration Office, usually through the partner. |
| Formation serviceShown on each offer, with any member discount. | From the partner | Shown on each offer, with any member discount. |
| Registered office and secretaryRenew each year while you need them. | Yearly, from the partner | Renew each year while you need them. |
| Section 137 bondOnly if no director lives in the EEA. Check current quotes. | About €2,000 | Only if no director lives in the EEA. Check current quotes. |
Check current fees on cro.ie.
Partners
Forming companies, providing registered offices and acting as company secretary are regulated services in Ireland. Founder Quarter doesn't provide them: our partners do, under their own authorisation, which is shown on each offer.
Partners coming soon
We're finalising agreements with authorised providers. The guide and the readiness check above already work.
Founder Quarter receives a referral fee from partners when a member incorporates through their offer. It doesn't change your price, and it never decides which partners we list: every partner is authorised and has a signed agreement with us.
Questions
Does Founder Quarter form my company?
No. Our partners do, under their own authorisation as trust or company service providers. We explain the process, list partners we've checked, and remind you of filing dates afterwards.
What do you share with the partner?
Only your name and email, and only when you press Continue and agree. Everything else (identity documents, the company's details, payment) goes straight to the partner, never through us.
How long does it take?
Once the partner has your details and signatures, the CRO usually registers a company within about a week. Delays are usually down to missing identity checks or a name the CRO won't accept.
I'm an international student. Can I set up a company?
Check your immigration permission first. Student permission (Stamp 2) may not allow you to run a business or work in your own company, and setting up a company doesn't give you permission to work or stay. Ask Immigration Service Delivery or an immigration adviser before you incorporate.
What happens after the company is registered?
There are filings to keep up with: the beneficial owners (RBO), the annual return to the CRO, and tax with Revenue. Add the company to My company and we'll show the dates and remind you 30 and 7 days before each. Your accountant has the final word on dates.
Why do you get a referral fee?
It helps keep the community free. Partners pay it when a member incorporates through their offer; it doesn't change your price. We only list partners that are authorised and have signed our referral agreement.