Every week, people search for some version of the same question: “Can I hire someone to open a company in Ireland for me?” The answer is yes — and it is simpler, faster, and more affordable than most people expect.
Whether you are a non-resident founder wanting an EU base, an IT contractor transitioning from PAYE, a returning emigrant setting up a consultancy, or an international business establishing an Irish subsidiary — Forti Accountants handles the entire formation and compliance process on your behalf. You do not attend an office. You do not fill in CRO forms. You do not call Revenue. We do all of it.
Why Most People Want Someone Else to Handle This
Irish company formation is not technically complex — but it is time-consuming, procedurally specific, and easy to get wrong if you are not familiar with how the Companies Registration Office (CRO) and Revenue operate. The typical DIY journey involves:
- Researching CRO requirements and choosing the correct company type
- Drafting and filing a Constitution (previously called a Memorandum and Articles of Association)
- Selecting and registering a company name, including conflict checks against the CRO register
- Appointing at least one EEA-resident director — or arranging a Section 137 bond if non-EEA
- Registering a company registered address in Ireland (a physical address, not a PO Box)
- Filing Form A1 with the CRO — the primary incorporation document
- Registering with Revenue for Corporation Tax, VAT, and Employer PAYE
- Opening a business bank account — which itself requires certified company documents
- Setting up payroll, bookkeeping, and real-time Revenue reporting (ERR) systems
Each step involves specific forms, reference numbers, and processing timelines. A single error — a misspelt director name, an incorrect PPSN, a missing signature field — can delay incorporation by weeks. For someone running a business or operating from abroad, this is not the best use of their time.
What “We Handle Everything” Actually Means
When Forti says we handle everything, that is a precise statement. Below is every task Forti manages on your behalf as part of a full company formation engagement:
| Task | Handled by | When |
|---|---|---|
| Company name search and reservation | ✔ Forti | Day 1 |
| Constitution drafting (company rules document) | ✔ Forti | Day 1 |
| Form A1 preparation and CRO filing | ✔ Forti | Day 1–2 |
| Registered address provision (if needed) | ✔ Forti | Day 1 |
| EEA director arrangement (if applicable) | ✔ Forti | Day 1–3 |
| Revenue — Corporation Tax registration (TR2) | ✔ Forti | Post-CRO |
| Revenue — VAT registration | ✔ Forti | Post-CRO |
| Revenue — Employer PAYE registration | ✔ Forti | Post-CRO |
| ROS (Revenue Online Service) setup | ✔ Forti | Post-CRO |
| Xero cloud accounting setup + bank feed | ✔ Forti | Week 1 |
| Payroll system setup + first payrun | ✔ Forti | Week 1–2 |
| Bank account referral and documentation pack | ✔ Forti | Week 1 |
| Director’s service agreement template | ✔ Forti | Week 1 |
| Ongoing compliance calendar + deadline reminders | ✔ Forti | Ongoing |
Your role in the process is limited to: providing your personal details, signing completed documents electronically, and attending a single onboarding call of approximately 30–45 minutes. Everything else is handled by Forti.
The Step-by-Step Process — From First Call to Trading
Here is exactly what happens once you engage Forti to handle your company formation:
Free consultation call (Day 0)
A 30-minute call with your Forti accountant to understand your business type, revenue model, expected income, client base, and whether you need VAT registration, multiple directors, or specialist structure. No cost, no obligation.
Information collection (Day 1)
Forti sends you a short secure onboarding form — your full legal name, date of birth, home address, PPSN (or foreign tax identifier), and proposed company name preferences. This takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Name check and CRO filing (Day 1–2)
Forti searches the CRO register for conflicts, confirms your preferred name, drafts the Constitution, prepares Form A1, and files with the CRO electronically. Standard CRO processing takes 3–5 business days. Expedited processing (same-day) is available at an additional CRO fee of €50.
Certificate of Incorporation issued (Day 5–7)
The CRO issues your Certificate of Incorporation with your unique Company Registration Number (CRN). Forti receives it on your behalf and sends you a copy immediately.
Revenue registrations (Day 7–10)
Using your CRN, Forti registers the company with Revenue for Corporation Tax, VAT (if applicable), and Employer PAYE. Revenue assigns your Tax Reference Number (TRN). Forti handles all ROS access setup.
Banking and accounting setup (Week 2)
Forti provides a bank referral letter and full documentation pack for your business bank account application. Simultaneously, your Xero cloud accounting environment is set up with automated bank feeds.
Payroll and first invoice (Week 2)
Your director salary is configured on payroll and your first payslip is processed. If billing clients from day one, Forti provides an invoice template with your company number, VAT number, and correct Irish payment terms.
You start trading — Forti handles everything else
From this point, Forti manages your ongoing compliance: bi-monthly VAT returns, monthly payroll, annual financial statements, corporation tax return, and ERR reporting. You focus on your work.
Setting Up Remotely — No Irish Address Required
One of the most common questions from international enquirers: “Do I need to be in Ireland to set up the company?” The answer is no. Forti has completed formations entirely remotely for clients in the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, across the EU, and the Middle East.
The Non-EEA Director Requirement
Irish company law requires at least one director ordinarily resident in an EEA country. If you are not EEA-resident, two compliant solutions are available:
- Section 137 bond: A €25,000 insurance bond placed with a registered insurer — Forti arranges this on your behalf.
- Nominee EEA director: Forti can refer you to a compliant nominee director service. The nominee has no operational control — they exist solely to satisfy the legal requirement.
Registered Address in Ireland
Every Irish company must have a registered address in Ireland — a physical address where CRO and Revenue correspondence is received. Forti provides a registered address service as part of the formation package. All correspondence received is scanned and forwarded to you digitally on the day of receipt.
Case Studies: Two Real Formation Stories
The following case studies are based on composite client profiles from Forti’s formation client base. Names and details have been fictionalised. Financial outcomes are realistic representations under current Irish Revenue rules.
1. Łukasz — Polish-born Software Engineer, Remote Formation from Warsaw
Łukasz is a senior DevOps engineer who moved from Ireland to Warsaw in 2022 after his employer went fully remote. In early 2026, he secured a contract with a Dublin-based fintech paying €700 per day. The client required him to invoice through an Irish-registered entity — either an umbrella company or his own limited company.
Background
Łukasz had no Irish address, no Irish bank account, and had not used his PPSN in several years. He had never formed a company before. He found Forti through an online search and booked a free consultation the same day.
What Forti handled
- Confirmed Łukasz’s PPSN was still active with Revenue
- Provided a registered Irish address for the company
- Filed Form A1 with the CRO — Certificate of Incorporation issued in 4 business days
- Registered the company for Corporation Tax and VAT with Revenue
- Set up Xero with automated bank feeds linked to his Wise Business account
- Issued his first invoice template — he sent it to his client on day 14
Results after 12 months
| Metric | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Gross annual revenue (200 days @ €700) | €140,000 |
| Director salary extracted | €42,000 |
| Employer PRSA contribution | €40,000 |
| Corporation tax paid | €6,100 |
| PSS surcharge | €0 |
| Forms filled by Łukasz personally | 0 |
| Forti monthly fee | €195 + VAT |
2. Sinéad — Irish Marketing Consultant, Transitioning from Agency to Freelance
Background
Sinéad spent eight years as a senior digital marketing manager at a Dublin agency before going independent in late 2025. She had two clients lined up and a clear service offering — brand strategy and performance media for Irish SMEs. Her projected year-one revenue was €90,000–€100,000.
Sinéad’s concern was not whether to form a company — she knew she needed one. It was about getting it right: the correct structure, the right VAT setup, and a system that would keep her compliant without consuming her time. A contractor friend referred her to Forti.
What Forti handled
- Advised on optimal company structure — single-director LTD was appropriate
- Confirmed VAT registration was required from day one given projected revenue
- Filed Form A1 — Certificate of Incorporation issued in 7 business days
- Registered for Corporation Tax, VAT (23%), and Employer PAYE with Revenue
- Set up Xero with automated expense capture via Hubdoc
- Configured payroll for a monthly director salary of €3,500 (€42,000 per annum)
- Prepared client contract template and invoice template with correct Irish VAT wording
- Modelled Sinéad’s optimal extraction strategy: salary + PRSA contributions + dividend timing
Results after 12 months
| Metric | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Gross company revenue (year one) | €96,000 |
| Director salary (net after tax) | ~€34,000 |
| Employer PRSA contribution | €25,000 |
| Corporation tax paid | €4,800 |
| vs. equivalent PAYE role (estimated net) | +€19,000 additional wealth |
| Active client count by month 12 | 5 |
What It Costs — Transparent Pricing
Forti‘s formation and ongoing accounting fees are straightforward. There are no hidden charges, no surprise add-ons, and no annual fee hikes without notice.
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation | Free | 30–45 minute call, no obligation |
| Company formation (CRO filing + all Revenue registrations) | €200 + VAT | One-off. Includes name search, Form A1, TR2, VAT & PAYE registration |
| CRO standard processing fee | €50 | Paid directly to CRO — not a Forti charge |
| Expedited CRO processing (same-day) | €100 additional | Optional — Certificate within 24 hours of filing |
| Registered office address (if needed) | €450/year + VAT | Includes scanning and digital forwarding of all correspondence |
| Section 137 bond (non-EEA directors) | At cost | Forti manages — typically €1,500–€2,000 first year |
| Full-service monthly LTD management | From €195 + VAT/month | VAT, payroll, Xero, ERR, year-end accounts, CT return, proactive planning |
10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need to be in Ireland to form an Irish company?
No. The entire formation process can be completed remotely. Forti handles all CRO filings and Revenue registrations electronically. You will need to provide proof of identity and address, sign documents electronically, and complete a short online information form. No in-person attendance is required at any stage. Forti has completed formations for clients based in the US, UK, Poland, UAE, Australia, and across the EU — all without the client setting foot in Ireland.
2. How long does it take to form an Irish company?
The CRO’s standard processing time is currently 3–5 business days from the date of filing. Once Forti has your information (typically day one of engagement), Form A1 is filed that day or the next. Your Certificate of Incorporation typically arrives within 5–7 business days. Expedited CRO processing is available for an additional €50 fee, issuing the Certificate within 24 hours. Revenue registrations follow and are typically completed within a further 5 business days. Total time from first contact to fully operational: approximately 10–14 business days.
3. What type of company should I form?
For the vast majority of Irish contractors, consultants, and small business owners, a Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD) is the correct structure. It requires a minimum of one director and one shareholder (who can be the same person), has no minimum share capital requirement, and benefits from the 12.5% Corporation Tax rate on trading profits. Forti will confirm the right structure during your initial consultation — in some cases a DAC or CLG may be more appropriate, and Forti will explain why.
4. I don’t have an Irish address — can I still form a company?
Yes. Every Irish company must have a registered address in Ireland where official CRO and Revenue correspondence is received. If you do not have an Irish address, Forti provides a registered address service at €450 per year + VAT. All official correspondence received is scanned and forwarded to you digitally on the day of receipt. This is entirely standard practice used by thousands of Irish companies.
5. Do I need a PPSN to form an Irish company?
Directors of Irish companies are required to provide a PPS number when registering with Revenue. If you are an Irish citizen or previously worked in Ireland, you will already have a PPSN — Forti can verify it is still active. If you have never held a PPSN and are not resident in Ireland, Revenue accepts foreign tax identifiers for non-resident directors. Forti navigates this process on your behalf.
6. What is the difference between company formation and company registration?
In common usage the terms are interchangeable. Technically, ‘formation’ describes the legal act of creating the company entity (CRO filing and Certificate of Incorporation), while ‘registration’ refers to the broader combined process of formation plus Revenue tax registrations. When Forti handles your formation, both are included: CRO filing and all Revenue registrations are managed as a single, complete process for the one flat fee.
7. Can Forti set up a company for me if I already have a UK company?
Yes — this is a common scenario since Brexit. Many UK-based businesses want an Irish (and therefore EU) entity for regulatory reasons, EU client relationships, or EU procurement access. Forti handles this as a standard formation. Your Irish company will be a separate legal entity from your UK company, with its own CRN, tax reference, and bank account. Forti can also advise on intercompany arrangements and transfer pricing considerations.
8. What ongoing responsibilities do I have after the company is formed?
An Irish LTD has several annual compliance obligations: filing an Annual Return with the CRO; submitting a Corporation Tax return (CT1) within 9 months of your financial year-end; filing VAT returns (bi-monthly for most companies); running monthly payroll; and meeting Enhanced Reporting Requirements (ERR) for employee expenses in real time. All of the above are managed by Forti as part of the monthly service. You will never miss a filing deadline.
9. What happens if my company doesn’t trade for a while after formation?
A company that is not yet trading is known as a dormant company. Dormant companies still have Annual Return obligations with the CRO — failure to file results in late fees and, ultimately, the company being struck off the register. Revenue obligations are suspended during dormancy but must be formally notified to Revenue. Forti manages dormancy status on your behalf — we notify Revenue, file nil returns where required, and ensure your company remains in good standing.
10. Why use Forti rather than an online company formation service?
Online formation services typically file your Form A1 and stop there — you receive a Certificate of Incorporation and are left to handle Revenue registrations, VAT, payroll, accounting, and ongoing compliance yourself. Forti’s formation service is the beginning of a complete, managed accounting relationship. We handle the CRO filing, all Revenue registrations, Xero setup, payroll configuration, and ongoing monthly compliance — under one fee, with one point of contact, and with proactive tax planning built in from day one.
