Approximately 309,000 entrepreneurs have already started their own businesses in Ireland. If they did, you can, too! In this article, we’ll explain how to start a business in Ireland, from getting permission to hiring your first employee.
STEP application
Business types
Funding
Taxes
Hiring employees
How to start a business in Ireland: Step-by-step
How to start a business in Ireland: STEP application
Foreign entrepreneurs must obtain permission for setting up a company in Ireland. Previously, you had two choices—the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) and the Startup Entrepreneur Programme (STEP). Still, the first one was shut down in 2023, so now options are limited to one. STEP legal requirements
Every foreigner who wants to start a business in Ireland will be potentially eligible if:
- They have a startup funding of a minimum of 50,000 EUR.
- Their idea is creative and innovative enough for a future business expansion.
- Their field is manufacturing or internationally traded services.
Note: Catering, graphic design services, and similar businesses will not qualify. But if you have always dreamed about becoming a personal trainer or a copywriter in Ireland, try applying for a Critical Skills Employment permit first, then work under it for 21 months and obtain Stamp 4. This Stamp allows you to stay in Ireland without an employment permit and become self-employed.
- They will provide job vacancies for at least 10 people and hire them all.
- They will realise 1,000,000 EUR in sales in 3-4 years after setting up a company in Ireland.
- Professional managers lead their startup.
- The headquarters should be located in Ireland.
- Their business is about to be opened or is younger than 5 years old.
- The person itself should be ‘of good character’. Is it even provable?
- The applicant must have a clear criminal record, Irish people don’t want no rule-breakers.
Explore: ATMs in Ireland.
How to apply
If you meet all the requirements, apply for STEP permission to open a company in Ireland online.
First of all, get your STEP application form ready. Don’t be surprised by the size—it’s 19 pages long, so you can properly explain your background and current business idea.
In the same form you’ll find a full list of supporting documents. Make sure to prepare them all when relevant. For example, it’ll include your business plan and children’s birth documents.
Write a business plan. You have to convince the auditors that your business will not be a burden on Ireland—show that it will be of genuine benefit. If you’re not sure what to include, the Irish government has already prepared a guide on your business idea proposal; have a look at it.
Pay the fees of 350 EUR via an online transfer. When you’ll be calculating how much does it cost to start a business in Ireland, remember to include these 350 EUR in your plan as well.
Lastly, send all the documents and proofs of payment to startup@justice.ie.
After following these steps you’ll apply for a STEP permission to open a company in Ireland online. All that's left is to wait for the decision.
What’s next
Okay, you received the STEP permission and are one step closer to setting up a company in Ireland. Now, you’ll probably need a business visa for Ireland to get there as a foreigner. It’s actually not a business visa for Ireland, but rather an atypical employment visa. Click here to apply. You have arrived and are ready to open a company in Ireland. Before throwing yourself into work, visit your local immigration officer and register.
- Appointments for those residing in Dublin can be made here.
- And for those living outside of the capital, here.
That’s it for your residency status. While in Ireland, you might need to send money home — whether it’s part of your business plan or to support your family. With Profee, transfers take just minutes, so you won’t miss a beat at networking events or during local market research. Stay focused on opportunities while your money moves fast.
Read more: Employment permit in Ireland.
How to start a business in Ireland: Business types
For business registration in Ireland, you must understand what type it will be. Currently, there are three legal structures available:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| A sole trader | For people who want to be self-employed (perfect for introverts who cannot deal with partners). It offers independence, but you’ll need to understand how to start up a business in Ireland all by yourself. |
| A partnership | A structure when you divide the responsibility between several people. You all pay taxes and are in charge of debts, it’s a joint type of business registration in Ireland. |
| A limited company | The only structure where you and your business are separated. This means that in case of debt, your personal assets won’t be touched. Read more about the company types here. |
How to start a business in Ireland: Funding
Even for those who wonder how to start a small business in Ireland, the question of funding is a headache, let alone for bigger companies. Luckily, Ireland provides opportunities for those willing to start a business in Ireland.
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Microfinance Ireland | Loans up to 50,000 EUR. For small businesses with <10 full-time employees. |
| Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) | Visit their website and check grants available. Financial support is given for various reasons from market research to expanding a business online. |
| Enterprise Ireland | As LEOs, they have different business grants depending on what you need. The official website is this one. |
| SEAI | Financial support for sustainable decisions. |
| Government funding for employers | Covers questions of gender, future growth, employee retention and many other business support schemes. |
| Not employed yet | Check Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) or the Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA). |
Calculate how much it costs to start a business in Ireland for you and apply for grants accordingly. There are a lot of options in and outside of the country, so your brilliant idea should find support.
How to start a business in Ireland: Taxes
There is no way to open a company in Ireland without understanding local tax regulations. It's like forgetting to buy a plane ticket and realising it in the airport. But even worse. Main things you should know:
- Limited companies pay Corporation Tax.
- Sole traders must follow a self-assessment system.
- Sole traders pay Universal Social Charge (USC), PRSI and Value Added Tax (VAT).
- VAT registration is completed separately.
- Learn about PAYE and its tax credit.
- Check the Earned Income tax credit and SURE tax refund.
- Startups can get Corporation Tax relief for three years. Sounds like a good reason to complete your business registration in Ireland.
Taxes may seem terrifying, but after you decide on the company formation, it’ll be much easier to get through dozens of pieces of information. One of the best sources for understanding how to open a company in Ireland and taxes is the website Citizininformation.ie.
Extra article: Pros and cons of living in Ireland.
How to start a business in Ireland: Hiring employees
Business is people. To hire the best talents, you must be officially registered as an employer with Revenue Online Service.
Employers check-list
- Paying at least 11.30 EUR per hour (minimum wage as of 2025).
- Deducting your employees’ tax through PAYE.
- Following regulations about hours of work, health and safety, data protection and others.
- Searching for talents on Linkedin, jobs.ie, jobsirelan.ie and other resources online.
How to start a business in Ireland: Step-by-step
Let’s wrap it all up and see how to start up a business in Ireland.
- Formulating your idea. If you have no special preference for research fields in high demand in Ireland, you'll have more chances to get funding and a visa.
- Writing a proposal and choose a name. The company name will be registered with the CRO (Company Registration Office). As you call the ship, it will float!
- Choose between self-employement, partnership and a limited company. Compare how to open a company in Ireland to how to start a small business in Ireland as a sole trader.
- Study taxes.
- Apply for STEP, a kind of business visa for Ireland.
- Hire employees and register them.
- Apply for grants.
- Run a successful business!
Conclusion
Foreigners who want to start a business in Ireland may face challenges when getting permission to enter the country. But once you achieve your goal, all your previous struggles will be paid off. Chase your dream, learn how to start up a business in Ireland and once there, send money back home with Profee.
