Ireland vs Netherlands
Ireland is £130 cheaper in year 1. The Netherlands is £232 a year cheaper after that.
| IrelandPrivate company limited by shares (LTD) | NetherlandsPrivate limited company (BV) | |
|---|---|---|
| Costs | ||
| Minimum, year 1 | £580 | £710 |
| Minimum, per year after | £437 | £205 |
| Typical year 1 | £2,808 | £3,283 |
| Government fee | £43€50 online via CORE | £75€85.15 KVK registration |
| Indirect setup | £100–2,050 | £430–1,440 |
| Running per year | £437–3,792 | £205–4,340 |
| Share capital | €1 | €0.01 |
| Rules | ||
| Directors | Local director neededOne director must live in the EEA. Without one, you need a €25,000 bond costing about €1,500 to €2,000. | No local director |
| Remote setup | Fully remoteOnline through CORE. Each director needs an Irish ID number, which means signing a form in person in front of a notary. You also need a company secretary and an RBO filing. | Through a providerNeeds a notarial deed. You can sign by power of attorney. |
| Audit | No audit for small companies | No audit for small companies |
| Time to form | 2 to 4 weeks | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Ease for foreign owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tax and banking | ||
| Corporation tax | 12.5%12.5% on trading profit, 25% on passive income. | 19% / 25.8%19% up to €200k profit, 25.8% above. |
| Dividend withholding | 25%25% dividend withholding, with EU and treaty exemptions. | 15% dividend withholding, often 0% for EU parents. |
| VAT / GST | 23% | 21% |
| Banking | 3/5Irish banks want local presence. EU e-money accounts are common. | 2/5Dutch banks want local presence. Checks are slow for non-residents. |
| All company setup fees in Ireland | All company setup fees in the Netherlands | |
Questions
Is Ireland cheaper than the Netherlands for company setup?
Yes. Ireland costs at least £580 in year 1, against £710 for the Netherlands.
Which is cheaper to run each year?
The Netherlands, at least £205 a year against £437 for Ireland.
Which needs a local director?
Ireland. One director must live in the EEA. Without one, you need a €25,000 bond costing about €1,500 to €2,000. The Netherlands does not need one.
Which is faster to set up?
The Netherlands, in 1 to 2 weeks. Ireland takes 2 to 4 weeks.
How does corporation tax compare?
Ireland: 12.5% on trading profit, 25% on passive income. The Netherlands: 19% up to €200k profit, 25.8% above.
Sources: CRO · Revenue · PwC · Open Forest · KVK · Belastingdienst · Intercompany Solutions