Obtain a License for Your Travel Agency in Ireland

Businessmen who are interested in opening a travel agency in Ireland have to know that they must obtain specific licensing documents when entering this business activity. Companies operating in Ireland as travel agencies (travel agents or tour operators) have to obtain a travel agency license, which will attest to the fact that the company meets the required standards in the field. 

What is the legislation regulating the Irish travel agencies? 

What are the fees for the issuance of a travel agency license in Ireland? 

• • a new applicant who requests a travel agent license will pay a fee of EUR 600;
• • the renewal of the travel agent license is charged with a lower fee, of EUR 300;
• • the fee for a new applicant of a tour operator license has a price of EUR 300;
• • tour operators in Ireland are also charged based on their turnover – the fee of EUR 300 applies for a turnover of less than EUR 635,000;
• • a fee of EUR 600 is available for a tour operator with a turnover of EUR 635,001 – EUR EUR 1,270,000;
• • a fee of EUR 1,550 is applicable for turnovers ranging between EUR 1,270,001 to EUR 3,810,000;
• • a fee of 2,150 is imposed for turnovers of minimum EUR 3,810,001 to maximum EUR 6,350,000;
• • the maximum fee is of EUR 7,800, for companies with a turnover of EUR 12,700,001 – EUR 25,400,000. 

What is the validity of a license for travel agencies in Ireland? 

What types of companies can be set up as Irish travel agencies? 

• • the sole trader and the partnership are regulated under the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act 1982;
• • in order to obtain a license, the company’s financial documents have to be audited;
• • in this case, the company needs to appoint an auditor, as requested by the Commission;
• • the auditor will audit the company’s balance sheet/statement of affairs, depending on the company’s structure;
• • the required investment in the travel agency has to be the same as the one required for corporate structures.