Incorporating a Company in Ireland – What You Need to Know
Company incorporation in Ireland requires a Form A1 submitted online via the Companies Registration Office (CRO). The Form A1 is the statutory form that captures all necessary details for company formation.
Information Required on Form A1
Below is an overview of the key details that must be entered accurately:
- Company Name
Must be unique and distinguishable from other names on the register. If not, a Letter of Association or Letter of No Objection will be required.
See CRO guidelines for choosing a valid company name. - Company Type
E.g., Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD), Designated Activity Company (DAC), etc. - Director(s)
Required details:- Full name
- Date of birth
- Residential address
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Other current directorships
- PPSN
- Company Secretary
Required for all companies (even if the same person is also a director). If a body corporate is appointed as Secretary, its details must be provided. - Subscribers
- Name and address
- Number and class of shares to be issued
- Registered Office & Administrative Address (if different)
- Must be a physical address in the Republic of Ireland
- No P.O. Boxes
- This is where legal documents will be sent
- NACE Code & Company Activity
- The NACE Code identifies the business activity of the company
- A company cannot be incorporated unless it declares a valid activity in the State
- For non-LTD types, a formal object clause is also required
- Share Details
- Issued share capital
- Nominal value per share
- Authorised share capital (optional for LTDs)
- Company Constitution
Every company must adopt a Constitution per Section 19 of the Companies Act 2014.- You may use the standard CRO Constitution, or
- Attach a bespoke Constitution with your A1 form
Uploading Form A1 on CORE – Practical Tips
When submitting via CORE (Companies Online Registration Environment):
- Upload Form A1 as a PDF file (max size 8MB)
- Upload the signed and witnessed Constitution
- The witness cannot be a company officer or subscriber
- Signature must be clear and legible
- Form A1 requires original wet signatures
- Digital signatures will not be accepted
- Match the barcode and submission reference number on the PDF and CORE portal to avoid processing errors
Company Incorporation Timelines
There are two types of processing routes for Form A1:
- Fé Phráinn A1 Online Submission
- Processing time: average 5–7 working days
- For LTDs, DACs, and CLGs
- Offers a streamlined service for promoters needing rapid incorporation
- Ordinary Online A1 Submission
- Processing time: average 10+ working days
- Time may vary based on CRO backlog and submission quality
What Is the Fé Phráinn Scheme?
The Fé Phráinn Scheme allows for faster incorporation when the company promoter submits a pre-approved Constitution to CRO. Ireland Incorporated include this as part of our service offering.
- Once approved, the Constitution text is locked and must not be altered without further CRO approval
- The scheme guarantees a Certificate of Incorporation within 10 days (usually sooner if documents are correct)
- Only applies to LTDs, Unlimited Companies, and CLGs
Final Tips for Successful Incorporation
- Ensure all details on the A1 match across all documentation
- Avoid delays by verifying the CRO name check before submitting
- Double-check signature and witness requirements on the Constitution
- If using Fé Phráinn with Ireland Incorporated, submit the Constitution for pre-clearance early
Need Help with Form A1 or Incorporating a Company?
Our experienced Company Secretarial team can guide you through the incorporation process, prepare documentation, and ensure a smooth submission.
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