Open a Private Company Limited by Shares in Ireland

The private limited company by shares is one of the most popular business forms in Ireland. Its main advantage is its versatility, as it can be used for various operations. So, if you decide on it, our Irish company formation agents are at your disposal with tailored incorporation services for this type of entity.

What is an Irish private company limited by shares?

According to the Irish Company Act, foreign investors are allowed to open several types companies. Among these there is also the company limited by shares, which can be:

• private;
• public.

The main difference between the two types of enterprises is that the public entity may trade its shares on the Stock Market, while the private company may not.

Requirements to open a private company limited by shares in Ireland

The Companies Act 2014 (in force since 1 June 2015) significantly reduced the requirements for starting an Irish private company limited by shares (LTD). Under the new legislation, the company may have at least one shareholder, in which case it will also be known as a single-member company and up to 149 shareholders. Private companies limited by shares may also have corporate shareholders. The liability of the shareholders will be limited to the number of shares they hold in the private company.

Under section 137 of the Companies Act 2014, the Irish private company limited by shares must have at least one director who is an EU or EEA resident. However, it will be required to appoint a company secretary. The LTD does not have to state its object of activity in the Articles of Association and can conduct any type of business. The company must also have a registered address in Ireland. There are no minimum share capital requirements for Irish LTDs in 2026.

Director requirements for private companies limited by shares in Ireland

As mentioned above, you must appoint at least one Irish or EU/EEA resident director if you want to set up a company in Ireland under this legal form. However, there are also other aspects to consider from a management point of view, among which:

• you can appoint more than one director, and the other ones can have any nationality;
• you cannot not appoint a corporate director for your company.

The Irish Company Act also provides for foreign shareholders who cannot appoint a local director. Specifically, Section 137 of the Companies Act 2014 provides for the payment of a bond and appointment of a non-EU/EEA director. This is an insurance, also known as a Surety Bond of EUR 25,000, which must be kept for a minimum of 2 years, during which you are not required to have a local manager.

Feel free to consult with our company registration specialists in Ireland on the Section 137 bond.

Share capital requirements for private companies limited by shares

A main advantage of an Irish private company limited by shares is the lack of a mandatory minimum share capital. This means you can decide on the amount you need for the operations. Also, you can use any currency to denominate it (in Ireland, EUR, USD, and GBP) are preferred. Since there is no minimum amount to deposit, you need to issue a statement of capital upon registration. The statement must be included in the Articles of Association.

Local registered address

An important requirement to open a private limited company by shares in Ireland is to secure a local registered office. This means the enterprise must have a physical address in Ireland, even if it does not carry out commercial operations from it. The address will be recorded with the Companies Register.

In the lack of an actual place, you can opt for an Irish virtual office, our local specialists can help you obtain.

Registration of an LTD in Ireland

The first step to set up an Irish private company limited by shares in 2026 is to have the Articles of Association drafted. Our specialists in company registration in Ireland can help you with the foundation documents. The second step will be selecting a business name and submitting it to the Companies Registration Office. One must know that the company’s name must contain one of the following suffixes:

• limited;
• Teoranta (or the abbreviation Teo.);
• LTD.

Once these formalities have been accomplished, an application form must be filled out and submitted to the Companies Registration Office (CRO).

The next steps will be the registration for taxation purposes and for VAT, and obtaining the licenses required to start operating. Irish private companies limited by shares must file financial statements with the CRO every year (with the annual return); small companies can claim audit exemption.

Documents required to open an LTD in Ireland

The following papers need to be submitted to the Companies Registration Office when setting up an LTD in Ireland:

• the company name reservation form;
• the Articles of Association;
• details of the shareholder(s) and director(s).

The procedure can be completed in just a few days (around 10), and you can benefit from representation from our local agents should you be out of the country at the moment.

Forecasts for the Irish economy in 2026

Last year, Ireland had an 11% increase in company start-ups, reaching its highest level in 15 years.  Specifically, 26,500 new businesses were established in Ireland in 2025, according to new statistics from a private organization. The growth was mostly driven by companies in the construction, IT, and agricultural sectors. According to the same magazine, the 2025 figures demonstrate remarkable resilience and entrepreneurial ambition across Ireland.

Other good news is that Irish corporate insolvencies decreased by 7% to 812 last year, according to data provided earlier this month by Deloitte. According to the professional services company, the number would rise to 900 by the end of 2026 (revised in April 2026 to about 840).

If you want to open a private company limited by shares in Ireland in 2026, you can contact our local agents for professional assistance.