The Requirements for Starting a Limited Company in Ireland
Setting up a company is a bold step for one or a group of entrepreneurs. It is an overwhelming and exciting experience but remember, any mistakes at this stage can be costly. Because of this, we have outlined the steps involved and the requirements for starting your limited company.
Appoint the Company Director(s)
Any start-up requires at least one director. The role of the director is to manage the company and handle the day-to-day affairs of the company on behalf of the shareholders. In many startups, the role of director is held by founders/shareholders but as the company grows, the roles can be changed.
For a company in Ireland, the director(s) needs to be EAA residents. If they are not, you will require non-EAA resident bonds. If you choose to have multiple directors, only one is required to live in an EAA country.
Appoint a Company Secretary
After selecting a director, the next post to be filled is the company secretary. Their responsibility will be to file annual returns. Company secretaries have to collaborate with the company’s accountant to ensure your company’s financial records are properly managed and the returns are file returns on time.
Directors can hold the company secretary role but only if the company has multiple directors. You also have the option to outsource company secretary services to professionals such as at Pro Company Formation. A professional company secretary will ensure you remain in compliance by filing accurate returns on time. They will also reduce your workload giving you time to focus on growing your company.
Shareholders
A startup company needs shareholders and for most startups, the directors are usually the shareholders. Being a shareholder means you own a piece of or the whole company. They are there to provide financial backing and reap the rewards of the company’s success through dividends.
Decide on the Number of shares to release
Normally, a startup company is authorized to have up to about 10 million shares of common stock. The number might change as your company grows.
Shares represent the chunks of the company you’re willing to sell. Dividing and releasing shares is a major decision that needs the approval of the directors/shareholders and it involves a significant amount of paperwork. So, you might want to seek professional assistance to get it right.
Name the Company
Deciding on a name might seem like one of the first decisions to make when launching a startup but it’s not. It is more complicated than it seems because you need to find a name that the CRO (Company registration office) will accept.
First, your proposed company name should be different from the name of every other company in the country and fall within CRO guidelines. If the CRO detects a conflict in a name for example with another registered business, they will send back your submission.
To prevent this, perform a name check via the CRO’s company search facility. The name check is free and protects your company from infringement claims.
Prepare the Required Documents and Sign them
After completing the above steps, the next step is registering your company. There are two ways to register your startup;
You can do it yourself via the Companies Online Registration Environment website, or outsource the formation process to experts at Procompany formation to ensure smooth sailing.
Structural Changes
If your company structure changes, we handle all required CRO filings and statutory updates. Includes:
Director appointments or resignations
Share transfers or allotments
Company name changes
We ensure your company records remain accurate and legally compliant.
Strike
If you decide to close your company, we manage the full voluntary strike-off process, including compliance review, documentation, and filing with the Companies Registration Office (CRO), ensuring the company is properly and safely dissolved.
Additional CRO Filings
Director changes, share transfers, share allotments, company name changes or other statutory updates.
RBO Filing / Ownership Updates
Required whenever shareholders or beneficial ownership changes (25%+). We prepare and submit the update to the Central Register to keep your company compliant
Registered Office Address
Secure and reliable registered office solution to improve your business reputation. This add-on service provides an official business address for company registration and ensures important business correspondence is handled professionally. Includes:
Official registered business address
Use for company registration
Handling of business correspondence
Professional business presence
Reliable address for official records
Full Company Secretary Service
Our full company secretary service ensures your company adheres to corporate governance standards. This includes maintaining statutory registers, filing annual returns, handling board resolutions, and advising on legal compliance. By outsourcing this service, you can reduce administrative workload and ensure your company avoids compliance-related risks.
Register of Beneficial Owners (RBO) Filing / Update
Every Irish company must file and maintain accurate beneficial ownership details with the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (RBO). Our service includes:
Preparation and electronic filing with the Central RBO
Review of 25%+ ownership or control thresholds
Confirmation of submission for your records
Required within 5 months of incorporation and whenever shareholding changes. Failure to file can result in significant penalties — we ensure your company remains fully compliant.
Strike Off
If you need to close your company — whether within the first year or later — we manage the entire voluntary strike-off process professionally and compliantly. Our team handles:
Director resolutions and required documentation
Pre-strike-off compliance review
Preparation and filing with the Companies Registration Office (CRO)
We ensure your company is properly wound down to avoid delays, penalties, or future compliance issues.
Please note: CRO filing fee and required newspaper advertisement costs are separate.
Digital Marketing Services (Free Consultation)
Reaching your audience effectively is key to growth. This free consultation introduces startups and small businesses to digital marketing strategies, including social media management, search engine optimisation (SEO), and online advertising, tailored to your industry and goals.
Introduction to Website Development Company (Free)
Building a strong online presence is vital for any business. This free service connects you with experienced website development companies, offering startups and small businesses tailored consultations to help establish or upgrade their online platforms.
Modern businesses thrive on effective communication. This service provides VoIP phone solutions and professional call answering with calendar management and call forwarding. It ensures no business opportunities are missed while projecting a professional image to clients and partners.
6-Month Annual Return Filing
Filing the first Annual Return (B1) is an important requirement to keep your company compliant and in good standing. This service includes the preparation, filing, and management of all required documents for the year, such as financial statements, shareholder reports, and any necessary changes to the company structure. It allows you to focus on growing your business while ensuring your obligations are met. Includes:
Preparation and electronic filing
Deadline monitoring
Audit exemption protection
This filing is required even if no financial statements are due.
Annual Return Filing per Year
Annual returns are essential for keeping your company information up-to-date with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). This service ensures that all required information, such as directors, shareholders, and company financials, is filed accurately and on time, avoiding late penalties and maintaining good standing.
Annual Compliance Support
Annual compliance is critical for avoiding fines and maintaining good standing with regulatory authorities. This service includes the preparation, filing, and management of all required documents for the year, such as financial statements, shareholder reports, and any necessary changes to the company structure. It allows you to focus on growing your business while ensuring your obligations are met. Includes:
Annual Return (B1) filing
Statutory register maintenance
Deadline tracking
Audit exemption monitoring
Compliance advisory support
Ideal for directors who want ongoing professional oversight.
Annual Return (B1) Filing
Preparation and filing of yearly CRO Annual Return (after year one).
Helps maintain good standing and avoid late filing penalties.
Full Company Secretary Service
Our full company secretary service ensures your company adheres to corporate governance standards. This includes maintaining statutory registers, filing annual returns, handling board resolutions, and advising on legal compliance. By outsourcing this service, you can reduce administrative workload and ensure your company avoids compliance-related risks.
Historical filing and bookkeeping services are for businesses that have gaps in their financial year filings. We will require this information for compliance and reporting purposes, regardless of the gap duration.
Manage Annual Returns Deadline (Included)
File Annual Return in CORE (Included)
File PDF Financial Statements in CORE File Manager (Included)
Signing Annual Return and Bank Application Documents (Included (Limited)**)
Company Secretarial Paperwork Filing (Included)
Maintaining and Updating Company Registers (Included)
Drafting Minutes for Board Meetings (AGM Included) (Included)
Ongoing Company Secretarial Advice (Annual Limit) (Up to 300 minutes)
Countersignatures for Company Bank Applications/Reports (Not Included)
Traditional phone systems are transformed by VoIP (vocal over Internet Protocol) technology, which facilitates vocal communication over the internet. This technology is extensively employed in cloud-based phone services. The latest technology provides businesses with substantial advantages, such as seamless integration with a variety of digital tools and increased flexibility. Our call answering services ensure that you never miss an important call. We ensure that your business’s communication is both efficient and effective by managing your diary, receiving inquiries, and forwarding them to you.
Our Business Address Service will improve your company’s corporate image by providing a prestigious address for your correspondence. We will forward your business correspondence to an alternative address of your choosing via post for a nominal fee of €55 per month. This service is renewable annually, with an additional fee for forwarding general business correspondence.
If you need cloud based phone services, enquire now.
Company Formation
Includes CRO Filing Fee for Private Limited Company or DAC.
Manage Annual Returns Deadline (Included)
File Annual Return in CORE (Included)
File PDF Financial Statements in CORE File Manager (Included)
Signing Annual Return and Bank Application Documents (Included (Limited)**)
Company Secretarial Paperwork Filing (Included)
Maintaining and Updating Company Registers (Included)
Drafting Minutes for Board Meetings (AGM Included) (Included)
Ongoing Company Secretarial Advice (Annual Limit) (Up to 300 minutes)
