Coming to set up a business in Ireland
Information
If you are an EEA or Swiss national you are entitled to come and work in Ireland either as an employed or a self-employed person. EEA and Swiss nationals do not require a business permission to establish a business in Ireland and they do not require a visa to visit, travel to, live or work in Ireland. Non-EEA nationals can establish a business in Ireland but they require permission to do so – see 'Business permission' below.
Proposed immigration scheme for investors and entrepreneurs
The Minister for Justice announced that 2 new initiatives for non-EEA investors and entrepreneurs are to be launched in March 2012. Their aim is to attract job creating investments into Ireland. The Immigrant Investor Programme provides investment options ranging from €400,000 to €2 million which would allow approved non-EEA investors and their immediate family enter Ireland on multi-entry visas and remain here for up to 5 years. The Start-up Entrepreneur Programme is a revision of the current business permission (see below) and would allow non-EEA participants with an innovative business proposal and funding or financial backing of at least €75,000 to come and set up a business in Ireland. Successful applicants to both programmes will be granted a residence permission for 2 years initially.
Information and supports
If you are coming from outside Ireland to set up a business you will need information on a number of topics such as tax and legal requirements. You can find information about starting a business and being self-employed on this website, including details of legal structures and potential liabilities. The guide to self-employment, Toil and Trouble (pdf), is available on the Department of Social Protection website.
City and County Enterprise Boards provide supports such as advice and grants to local businesses that are starting up or developing - see 'Where to apply' below.
IDA (Irish Development Authority) Ireland is an Irish Government agency with responsibility for securing new investment from overseas in manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors. It can provide information about setting up a business in Ireland and may provide grants to companies wishing to locate in Ireland or expand their existing operations in Ireland.
The website selfemployedsupports.ie has information on the services and entitlements available if you are self-employed and your income is reduced.
Business permission
A business permission is a written permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality that allows you to establish and engage in a business in Ireland for a certain period. You have to meet certain criteria to apply for a business permission. The main requirements are that you must have €300,000 to invest in the business and you must create employment – see ‘Rules’ below. If your application is successful you will receive a letter granting you business permission. Usually, a business permission is granted for 1 year initially.
Exemptions
The following non-EEA nationals do not require business permission:
- People who have been granted refugee status
- Dependent relatives of EEA nationals exercising their right to live in Ireland
- Spouses of Irish nationals who have permission to remain in Ireland
- People granted leave to remain as the parent of an Irish-born child
- People granted humanitarian leave to remain
Permission to live in Ireland
Non-EEA nationals who are granted a business permission are entitled to live in Ireland for the duration of the business permission. The letter granting you business permission should be included with your visa application if you need a visa to enter Ireland. You should also present this letter to an immigration officer when you are requesting permission to land in Ireland. Once you are in Ireland you should register with the immigration authorities.
Rules
If you are a non-EEA national applying for a business permission to start a business in Ireland, you must meet the following strict criteria:
- You must have at least €300,000 of your own money to invest in business in Ireland.
- Your business must create employment for at least 2 Irish or EEA/Swiss nationals or at least maintain employment in an existing business
- Your business must add to the commercial activity and competitiveness of the State
- Your business must be a viable trading concern and provide you with sufficient income to maintain and accommodate yourself and any dependants without resorting to social assistance or paid employment for which a work permit would be required
Artists and writers
Artists, writers or crafts people do not have to meet the capital and employment requirements. However they must show that they are well known in their field and that they can support themselves without the need for other employment or social assistance. In these cases they should contact the Department of Justice and Equality separately.
How to apply
You apply for business permission to the Business Permission Unit of the Immigration Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service – see ‘Where to apply’ below. You must include the following documents:
- Your valid passport or national identity document
- Your registration certificate if you are already residing in the State
- A statement of character from the police authorities of each country in which you have resided for more than 6 months during the previous 10 year period
- A business plan which addresses the above criteria for a business permission. The plan should be endorsed by a firm of accountants or other relevant professionals.
- Details of your skills and qualifications to undertake this business
- References from previous employers
- Original documents from your financial institution confirming you have at least €300,000 to invest in the business
- Details of where the business will operate.
There is detailed information on business permission available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).
Contact the Companies Registration Office to register your business - see 'Where to apply' below. You can register and file your documents such as your annual returns online with CRO using CORE (Companies Online Registration Environment).
You can contact your local City or County Enterprise Board to find out the supports available for setting up a business in Ireland - see 'Where to apply' below.
You can find out about registering for tax from your local tax office – see ‘Where to apply’ below.
Where to apply
Contact Revenue.
Contact your local
City or County Enterprise Board
Business Permission Unit
Immigration Services Section
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
1st Floor, 13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland
Homepage: http://www.inis.gov.ie/
Email: INISbperm@justice.ie
Companies Registration Office
Parnell House
14 Parnell Square
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel:+353 (0) 1 804 5200
Locall:1890 220 226
Fax:+353 (0) 1 804 5222
Homepage: http://www.cro.ie
Email: info@cro.ie
Language
Related Documents
- Glossary of immigration terms
A list of specific immigration terms with a brief explanation of what they mean. - Residence rights of non-EEA nationals in Ireland
Description of the various forms of residence rights which allow non-EEA nationals to live in Ireland. - Student visas to study in Ireland
People from certain countries who wish to study in Ireland require visas. Find out more.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.