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.

Foreign Branch Company formation in Ireland - form an Irish branch of a foreign company

Irish branch formation packages incl. business address*

Company formation procedure: We prepare the paperwork to register an Irish branch of your company, submit the branch company formation request to the Companies Registration Office and pay the registration fees on your behalf.
All branch formation packages include:
Futuramax's online branch formation system is designed to assist non-Irish companies to establish a separate branch company in Ireland.

Branch Package Silver

Branch Package Gold

Branch Formation in 20 Working  days 15 Working  days
CRO fees Branch registration fees Ireland Formation fees Branch Ireland
Company documents Formation documents Irish branch company Company documents Ireland Branch
Local compliance officer Compliance officer Irish branch company Authorised person Ireland Branch
Bank account opening
(IRL or international)
open bank account for Irish branch Bank account opening branch Ireland
Irish VAT number VAT number Irish branch company VAT registration limit for branch company in Ireland
Package price including forwarding administrative mail and business address in Galway for one year 1250 EUR
2500 EUR
Package price including forwarding administrative mail and business address in Dublin for one year 1400 EUR 2650 EUR
Optional: Apostille Ireland Apostille Virtual Office Ireland Virtual Office Trading name Irish branch Trading name (75 EUR)

Why to 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).
Required documents for branch company formation in Ireland
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. Director rules Irish branch companies
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. Local compliance officer Irish branch company
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. Business address branch company in Ireland

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 Certificate Branch Registration Certificate
Our branch company formation packages Gold also include opening an Irish or international company bank account and dealing with the VAT number application (if required). Bank account + VAT number branch company Ireland
* Fees quoted exclude Irish VAT @ 21,5%.