United Kingdom vs Ireland
Company formation costs side by side
EntityPrivate limited company (Ltd)Private company limited by shares (LTD)
Legal minimum, year 1£170£810
Legal minimum, per year after£50£267
Typical year 1£1,585£4,185
Government fee£100 (£100 online)£43 (€50 online via CORE)
Indirect setup£20 to 300£500 to 3,050
Running per year£50 to 2,600£267 to 4,467
Share capital£1€1
Time to form1 to 2 days1 to 2 weeks
AuditExempt for small companiesExempt for small companies
DirectorsNo resident director neededOne EEA-resident director, or a €25,000 non-resident bond (about €1,500 to €2,000)
Remote formationFully online; directors must pass Companies House ID verificationOnline via CORE; needs a PPSN/RBO filing and a company secretary
Corporation tax25% (19% under £50k profit, marginal relief between)12.5% trading, 25% passive
Dividend withholding0% on dividends25% (exemptions for EU and treaty residents)
VAT/GST20%23%
Foreign owner ease5 of 53 of 5
Banking3 of 5. High street banks often refuse non-residents; Wise, Revolut, Airwallex and Tide are usually fine3 of 5. Irish banks want local substance; EU e-money accounts widely used
Data statusCheckedIndicative