Step-by-step guides for Irish companies

Most businesses form a private company limited by shares (LTD). A DAC, CLG, PLC or unlimited company suits specific purposes — ask if you're not sure which fits.

The name must be distinguishable from every existing name on the CRO register. We run this check before filing anything.

At least one director must be resident in the EEA (or covered by a Section 137 bond). A separate person must act as company secretary if there is only one director.

We prepare and submit your constitution and incorporation documents to the CRO electronically.

Typically within about 5 working days. From here: register for tax, open a bank account, and file your RBO within 5 months.

Your first ARD falls exactly 6 months after incorporation, and recurs roughly every 12 months after that.

You have 56 days from your ARD to submit Form B1. Miss it and late fees begin the very next day — there's no grace period.

Only your second return onward requires financial statements — made up to a date no later than 18 months after incorporation.

Signature pages need original signatures and must reach the CRO within the required window, or the filing is incomplete.

Anyone who ultimately owns or controls more than 25% of the company's shares or voting rights, directly or indirectly.

Full name, date of birth, nationality, residential address, and the nature and extent of their interest.

The RBO is a distinct register from the CRO's company register — filing your B1 does not update it.

A new shareholder, a share transfer, a change of address — each triggers a fresh RBO update, easy to miss.

The CRO now sends companies with overdue returns a ten-week warning letter before taking further action.

If nothing is done, the company is published in the CRO's Involuntary Strike-Off Gazette.

From the Gazette notice, there's a 90-day window to object (Form H16) or, if it's your own application, withdraw it (Form H17). A Section 343 court application, if the return is filed and extension granted, also stops the process.

Within 12 months, restoration is an administrative CRO application (Form H1, €300). Beyond 12 months, it needs a High Court application, possible for up to 20 years after dissolution.