Foreign Branch Company Formation

An Irish branch company formation is an efficient way for foreign companies to establish a business presence in Ireland and Europe.

Irish branch formation packages incl. business address*

An Branch Company formation can be ordered online and takes approx. 15 working days. Futuramax's online company formation system was designed to assist non-Irish companies to establish a branch office in Ireland. All company formation packages include:

• Registered Office Address (in Galway or Dublin)
• Companies Registration Office Fees
• Complete Set of formation documents

Company formation procedure: Once we received all required documents of the parent company, we can deal with the Irish branch registration process on your behalf.

Why form an Irish branch company?

Ireland is one of the most attractive jurisdictions worldwide for company formations. By setting up a properly structured Irish branch company international clients benefit from secure legal framework, less bureaucracy and access to the European Union market. Global players like Microsoft, Google and Dell - to name just the best known - did choose Ireland as their corporate home in Europe.

Low corporate tax rate in Ireland

Business activities of the branch are governed by Irish company laws and also subject to low 12,5% Irish corporation tax rate. Ireland also benefits from tax treaties with most countries in the world.

Prerequisites for branch formations

Any company registered elsewhere in the world can open an Irish branch. Within one month of its establishment in Ireland the parent company must deliver the following to the Companies Registration Office in Dublin:. Certificate of Incorporation Memorandum & Articles of Association (or similar) Copy of the last annual accounts (if available) Depending on country of incorporation of the parent company these documents must be either certified or apostilled. If the company documents are not in English or Irish an additional notarized translation is required. Futuramax are able to obtain these documents and translations (at an additional fee).
The rules for local Irish companies (e.g. that a company must have at least 2 directors and a secretary) do not apply to branches of foreign companies. Provided the company law in the jurisdiction where the parent company is incorporated allow it, a branch company in Ireland could be incorporated with a sole director or corporate entities acting as directors.
It is mandatory for each branch company registered in the Republic of Ireland to name a natural person who is resident in Ireland as compliance officer. This person is authorised to accept service of process on behalf of the Irish branch. All our branch company formation packages include the compliance officer fee for the first year.
Similar to local Irish companies, branches are required to carry on at least some business activities in Ireland. To ensure compliance, our branch company formation packages include provision of a business address in either Galway or Dublin for one year.
Form an Irish Branch

Company name of Irish branches

Obviously the name of the parent company will be registered. The Irish company register will also state the date of incorporation of the parent company (trading as an established company can be advantageous compared to starting a new local Irish company). We do provide a free company name check for our clients. If the company wishes to carry on business under a different name (DBA - doing business as) a separate trading name registration is required.

Annual compliance

Annual compliance issues for branches are lower than for local Irish companies. There is no requirement to file an annual return, only changes in the company structure (e.g. resignations or new appointments of directors) need to be reported to the Companies Registration Office. Similar to local companies, branches are required to file accounts (of the parent company) each year and to pay corporation tax @ 12,5% tax rate on the branch profits.

Company documents Irish branch companies

Branch Registration Confirmation No separate certificate follows a sucessful branch registration.
Form an Irish Branch

Optional Services

Irish Bank Account We open a local bank account for your Irish Branch company. Bank accounts come with IBAN number and online banking facility (client has full control over the account).
VAT Number We apply for a VAT number which is required to do business in the European Union.

* Fees quoted exclude Irish VAT @ 21,5%.