Every company entering Ireland has to incorporate. It's not complicated — but it needs to be done correctly, and the decisions you make at incorporation affect how your Irish operation runs for years. We connect international companies with specialist Irish lawyers who have done this for US businesses specifically.
Registering your Irish private limited company with the Companies Registration Office. Your lawyer prepares the constitution, handles director and shareholder appointments, and manages the CRO filing. Most incorporations complete within three to five business days.
Every Irish company must have at least one director ordinarily resident in the EU/EEA. If all your directors are US-based, your lawyer can advise on the Section 137 Bond as an alternative, or introduce you to a professional resident director service.
Ireland's employment law framework is significantly different from the US. Notice periods are statutory and employment contracts must meet specific Irish requirements. Your lawyer drafts contracts that comply from the start.
If your Irish operation involves client contracts, data processing, or commercial agreements, these need to work under Irish and EU law. Your lawyer ensures your standard US contracts are correctly adapted for the Irish market.
Typically three to five business days from submission to the Companies Registration Office, assuming all documentation is in order. Your lawyer manages the process and flags anything that could cause delays. If you need an Irish address or VAT number before incorporation completes, we can help with those in parallel.
Yes — at least one director of an Irish company must be ordinarily resident in the EU or EEA. If your entire board is US-based, you have two options: appoint an EU-resident director, or take out a Section 137 Bond (typically around €25,000 — verify this figure with your lawyer before quoting it). Many US companies starting out use a professional non-executive resident director service as a pragmatic first step.
Most US companies incorporate a wholly-owned Irish private limited company (subsidiary) rather than registering a branch. A subsidiary is a separate legal entity — it limits the liability of the US parent, is eligible for the 12.5% corporate tax rate, and is cleaner for banking and regulatory purposes. Your Irish lawyer will confirm which is right for your situation.
CRO filing fees are modest. The main cost is legal fees for the incorporation work — which vary by firm and complexity. For a straightforward incorporation of a single Irish subsidiary, most specialist firms will give you a fixed-fee quote. We connect you with lawyers who are transparent about fees upfront.
Once you're incorporated, you'll need an Irish accountant for tax registration, VAT, and ongoing compliance. We can run both introductions simultaneously.
Find an Irish accountant →Need a Dublin address while your incorporation is processing? We can arrange a virtual office or flexible office introduction in parallel.
See office options →We'll connect you with a specialist Irish lawyer within one business day. Fixed fees, international experience, no guesswork.