Public Limited Company (PLC) in Ireland
PLC · Formation from $55
Last verified: June 13, 2026
Corporate Tax
12.5%
State Tax
0.0%
Formation Cost
$55
Annual Fee
$22
Comparison Scores
Privacy, remote setup, banking, and tax efficiency
Calculate full formation cost
Break down one-time filing fees and recurring costs for any supported entity type.
Who Should Choose This?
Profiles that typically benefit from this entity
- Large corporations planning to raise capital through public stock offerings.
- Multinational companies establishing a European headquarters with complex ownership structures.
- Financial institutions, investment funds, and holding companies requiring a prestigious corporate vehicle.
- Businesses preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or significant institutional investment.
Who Should Avoid This?
Scenarios where another structure may be better
- Solo entrepreneurs and small businesses looking for a simple, low-cost setup.
- Founders who want to avoid mandatory statutory audits and strict corporate governance rules.
- Startups that do not plan to offer shares to the public or raise large-scale institutional capital.
Advantages
- +Ability to raise capital by offering shares to the general public and listing on stock exchanges.
- +No maximum limit on the number of shareholders, allowing for large-scale ownership and institutional investment.
- +High level of corporate prestige and credibility with investors, banks, and international partners.
- +Can be formed with a single shareholder under the Companies Act 2014.
- +Benefits from Ireland's attractive 12.5% corporate tax rate on active trading income and 35% R&D tax credit.
Disadvantages
- -Requires a minimum authorized share capital of €25,000, with at least 25% paid up before commencing business.
- -Must have at least two directors and a suitably qualified company secretary.
- -Subject to stricter regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and mandatory statutory audits.
- -Higher formation and ongoing maintenance costs compared to a standard Private Limited Company (LTD).
- -Cannot dispense with holding an Annual General Meeting (AGM) unless it is a single-member company.
Formation Steps
Step 1: Choose a unique company name ending in 'Public Limited Company' or 'PLC' and verify availability with the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
Step 2: Appoint at least two directors (one must be an EEA resident or hold a Section 137 bond) and a qualified company secretary.
Step 3: Draft the company's Constitution, which must include a Memorandum and Articles of Association with specific objects.
Step 4: Deposit the minimum share capital of €25,000 (at least 25% paid up) into a corporate bank account.
Step 5: Submit Form A1 and the Constitution to the CRO, paying the €50 standard registration fee.
Step 6: Obtain the Certificate of Incorporation and apply for a Section 1010 trading certificate to commence business.
Step 7: Register for Corporation Tax, VAT, and PAYE/PRSI with the Irish Revenue Commissioners.
Step 8: File the Register of Beneficial Ownership (RBO) within five months of incorporation.
Cost Breakdown
Detailed breakdown of formation and ongoing costs
| Item | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CRO Registration Fee | One-time | $55 |
| Legal & Formation Services | One-time | $1,500 |
| Qualified Company Secretary | Annual | $1,200 |
| Registered Office Address | Annual | $400 |
| Non-EEA Director Bond (if needed) | Annual | $1,500 |
| Beneficial Ownership (RBO) Filing | One-time | $100 |
| First year total | $4,755 | |
| Annual ongoing | $3,100 | |
Real-World Examples
Typical use cases for this entity type
- CRH plc: A leading global building materials business headquartered in Ireland, utilizing the PLC structure for international public investment.
- Kerry Group plc: A major international food corporation that leverages the Irish PLC entity to manage its global operations and public shareholders.
- Ryanair Holdings plc: Europe's largest airline group, structured as an Irish PLC to facilitate its listing on major stock exchanges and manage vast capital.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid during setup and operations
- Failing to pay up the required 25% of the €25,000 minimum share capital before commencing trading.
- Missing the strict 56-day deadline for filing the Annual Return (Form B1), leading to severe penalties and loss of audit exemptions.
- Appointing a company secretary who lacks the necessary qualifications or experience required for a PLC.
- Overlooking the requirement to have at least one EEA-resident director or failing to secure a Section 137 bond.
- Assuming a PLC can dispense with an Annual General Meeting (AGM) when it has multiple shareholders.
Other entity types
Other formation options in Ireland
Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD)
- Tax
- 12.5%
- Formation
- $58
Designated Activity Company (DAC)
- Tax
- 12.5%
- Formation
- $54
Company Limited by Guarantee
- Tax
- 12.5%
- Formation
- $58
Unlimited Company (ULC)
- Tax
- 12.5%
- Formation
- $54
Limited Partnership (LP)
- Tax
- 0.0%
- Formation
- $110
General Partnership
- Tax
- 0.0%
- Formation
- $22
Branch Office (External Company)
- Tax
- 12.5%
- Formation
- $58
Compare with Other Countries
| Country / Type | Tax | Formation | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇪 Public Limited Company (PLC)(PLC) | 12.5% | $55 | $22 |
FAQ
What is the minimum share capital for an Irish PLC?
An Irish PLC requires a minimum nominal share capital of €25,000, of which at least 25% must be fully paid up before the company can commence trading.
How many directors are required for a PLC in Ireland?
A PLC must have a minimum of two directors. At least one director must be a resident of the European Economic Area (EEA), or the company must secure a non-resident director bond.
Can a PLC be formed with just one shareholder?
Yes, under the Companies Act 2014, a PLC can be incorporated with a single shareholder. There is no maximum limit on the number of shareholders.
Does an Irish PLC need a company secretary?
Yes, a PLC is legally required to appoint a suitably qualified company secretary who has the necessary skills to maintain statutory records.
What is the corporate tax rate for a PLC in Ireland?
The standard corporate tax rate is 12.5% on active trading income. However, under the OECD Pillar Two rules, multinational groups with global revenues over €750 million are subject to a 15% minimum effective tax rate.
Are PLCs required to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM)?
Yes, PLCs must hold an AGM each year. Only single-member PLCs have the option to dispense with holding a physical AGM.
Can a foreign national be a director of an Irish PLC?
Yes, foreign nationals can be directors. However, if none of the directors are EEA residents, the company must take out a Section 137 non-resident director bond.
What are the annual filing requirements for a PLC?
A PLC must file an Annual Return (Form B1) with the CRO, accompanied by audited financial statements, and submit annual tax returns to the Irish Revenue.
Detailed Tax Rates
Corporate Income Tax
| From | To | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | No limit | 12.5% |
| $0 | No limit | 25.0% |
Ireland's standard corporate tax rate is 12.5% on active trading income. A higher rate of 25% applies to non-trading (passive) income such as investment income, rental income, and foreign dividends. A 15% minimum effective rate applies to multinational groups with consolidated revenue over €750 million under the OECD Pillar Two agreement.
Personal Income Tax (Top rate: 40.0%)
| From | To | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $44,000 | 20.0% |
| $44,001 | No limit | 40.0% |
Ireland uses a progressive two-rate system for personal income tax. For 2026, the standard rate of 20% applies to the first €44,000 for single individuals, with the balance taxed at the higher rate of 40%. Additional levies such as the Universal Social Charge (USC) and Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) also apply.
Capital Gains Tax
33.0%
The standard rate of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) in Ireland is 33%. Certain reliefs and exemptions may apply, such as the Revised Entrepreneur Relief which offers a reduced rate of 10% on qualifying business assets up to €1 million.
VAT / GST
23.0%
Registration Threshold: EUR85,000
The VAT registration threshold is €85,000 for goods and €42,500 for services. Non-established businesses supplying digital services to Irish consumers must register for VAT with no threshold, or use the EU One Stop Shop (OSS) scheme.
Withholding Tax
Ireland applies a 25% withholding tax on dividends and 20% on interest and royalties. However, broad domestic exemptions and an extensive network of double taxation treaties often reduce these rates to 0% for payments to residents of EU or treaty partner countries.
Payroll & Social Security
Employers pay Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) at 11.05% (Class A), increasing to 11.40% in October 2026. Employees pay PRSI at 4.2% (increasing to 4.35% in October 2026) plus the Universal Social Charge (USC) which ranges from 0.5% to 8% depending on income.
Other Taxes
Stamp Duty
Stamp duty applies to the transfer of property and shares. The rate is 1% on shares, 1% to 2% on residential property, and 7.5% on non-residential property.
Local Property Tax (LPT)
An annual Local Property Tax is charged on the market value of residential properties in Ireland, with rates determined by local authorities.
Incentives & Support
Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit
A tax credit on qualifying R&D expenditure, which can be used to reduce corporation tax or claimed as a cash refund.
35% tax credit on qualifying R&D expenditure (increased from 30% in 2026).
Eligibility: Companies must undertake qualifying R&D activities within the EEA that involve systemic, investigative, or experimental activities in a field of science or technology.
Knowledge Development Box (KDB)
A corporate tax relief that applies to income from qualifying patents, computer programs, and certain other intellectual property.
An effective corporate tax rate of 6.25% on qualifying profits generated from the IP.
Eligibility: The company must have created the qualifying IP asset through its own R&D activities.
Formation Requirements
Minimum Capital
EUR 25,000
€25,000 minimum authorized share capital, with at least 25% (€6,250) paid up before commencing business.
Local Director
Required
If no director is an EEA resident, the company must secure a Section 137 Non-Resident Director Bond.
Registered Office
Required
Virtual office allowed. €200 - €500 per year
Notarization Required
Yes
Power of Attorney (Remote)
Required
A Power of Attorney may be required if a corporate service provider is signing the incorporation documents on behalf of the founders.
Timeline
Standard: 3-5 business days days
Expedited: 1-2 business days days ($250)
Required Documents
- 1Form A1 (Company Incorporation)
- 2Company Constitution (Memorandum & Articles of Association)
- 3Certified Passport Copy for Directors/ShareholdersApostille needed
- 4Proof of Address (Utility Bill or Bank Statement)Apostille needed
- 5Section 137 Bond (if no EEA-resident director is appointed)
Compliance & Reporting
Annual Filings
Annual Return (Form B1)
Penalty: €100 immediate late fee plus €3 per day (up to €1,200 maximum), and risk of strike-off.
Corporation Tax Return (Form CT1)
Penalty: Surcharge of 5% to 10% of the tax due, plus interest on late payments.
Register of Beneficial Ownership (RBO)
Penalty: Fines up to €500,000 for severe non-compliance.
Audit Requirement
Required
No threshold; all Public Limited Companies (PLCs) must be audited regardless of size.
Accounting Standard
FRS 102 (Irish/UK GAAP) or IFRS (mandatory for listed PLCs)
Tax Return Deadline
23rd day of the 9th month following the end of the accounting period.
VAT Filing Frequency
Bi-monthly (standard), but can be every 4, 6, or 12 months depending on liability
Data Protection
Subject to the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Irish Data Protection Act 2018.
Banking & Payments
Bank of Ireland
One of the largest traditional banks in Ireland. Requires a strong local footprint and usually an in-person meeting for non-residents.
AIB (Allied Irish Banks)
A major traditional bank offering comprehensive corporate banking services, but with strict KYC and local substance requirements.
Revolut Business
Remote-friendlyA highly popular fintech option for Irish companies, offering multi-currency accounts, corporate cards, and fully remote onboarding.
Wise Business
Remote-friendlyExcellent for international PLCs needing to manage multiple currencies with low FX fees. Easy remote setup.
Fire
Remote-friendlyAn Irish-founded digital payment institution providing EUR and GBP accounts with fast remote onboarding for local businesses.
Payment Gateways
Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, Square, Paddle
Currency
EUR
Multi-Currency: Supported
Account Opening
Opening a traditional bank account in Ireland can be challenging for non-resident directors due to strict Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and KYC regulations, often requiring a face-to-face meeting or proof of economic substance in Ireland. However, fintechs like Revolut Business, Wise, and Fire offer much easier, remote-friendly alternatives for Irish PLCs.
Practical Information
Timezone
UTC+0 to UTC+1
Business Language
English
Legal System
Common law
Ease of Doing Business
#24
IP Protection
Ireland offers a robust intellectual property regime, including a Knowledge Development Box (KDB) that provides a reduced corporate tax rate of 6.25% on qualifying IP income. It is a member of WIPO, the EPO, and the EUIPO, ensuring strong international IP protection.
Double Tax Treaties
76 countries
Notable treaties: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France
Visa & Residency Options
Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
Allows non-EEA founders with an innovative, high-potential start-up and at least €50,000 in funding to establish their business and reside in Ireland.
Critical Skills Employment Permit
Designed to attract highly skilled professionals into the Irish labor market, often used by key startup employees or founders transitioning to employment.
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Changelog
Data updates and changes on this page
Updated Ireland PLC minimum share capital, CRO fees, and Pillar Two corporate tax details for 2026.
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