Open a Branch vs. Subsidiary in Ireland

Opening a subsidiary in Ireland

Foreign companies wanting to have a permanent establishment in Ireland may choose to open a subsidiary or a branch office. When deciding the type of company to register, foreign corporations will usually take into account the Irish taxation system and the degree on independency of the company.

Irish subsidiaries are independent entities, meaning they may undertake their own commercial activities. Subsidiaries are usually registered as limited liability companies in Ireland because the parent company’s liability will be limited to the share capital invested. The minimum requirements to open a subsidiary in Ireland are:

• - to have at least two directors,
• - one of the directors must be an Irish resident,
• - the minimum share capital to incorporate a company in Ireland is around 38,000 euros,
• - the subsidiary must have a registered office.

Our experts in company formation in Ireland will help you with the subsidiary registration procedure. Furthermore, our team can provide you with other business related services, such as the opening of a corporate bank account in Ireland.

Opening a branch office in Ireland

The registration procedure of branch offices in Ireland falls under the EU Regulations on Branch Disclosure. The incorporation of Irish branch offices is quite simple and the Government also provides several incentives to companies opening branches in the country.

The representatives of the foreign company are required to submit the following documents with the Companies Registration Office in Ireland:

• - a legalized copy after the parent company’s Certificate of Incorporation,
• - a legalized copy after the parent company’s Articles of Association,
• - a legalized copy after the parent company’s Charter.

Additionally, the branch office must have a representative and a registered office in Ireland.

Open an Irish branch office or a subsidiary?

When it comes to deciding on the type of company to set up in Ireland, there are certain criteria to be taken into account:

• - the subsidiary is an independent entity, while the branch office depends on the parent company and may not undertake its own business activities,
• - the subsidiary will be subject to the Irish corporate taxation system, while the parent company will be taxed for the branch office’s activities,
• - foreign companies are encouraged to open branch offices in Ireland by benefitting from certain incentives,
• - subsidiaries are subject to stricter audit requirements in Ireland compared to branch offices.

If you need help in selecting the right type of structure when starting a business in Ireland, we invite you to contact our Irish specialists in company registration for further information.