Source: https://rivet.global/blog/ireland-company-registration-eea-director-rule
Published: 2026-08-22 · Updated: 2026-08-22 · By Alexia M.

# Ireland company registration: the EEA director rule and the €25,000 bond

Registering an Irish company from abroad: CRO incorporation, the EEA-resident director or €25,000 bond rule, the RBO register and the bank account.

## Key takeaways

- An Irish company must have at least one director resident in the EEA, unless it holds a €25,000 bond or a Revenue-certified real and continuous link to Irish economic activity.
- Companies are incorporated through the CRO, usually online through CORE.
- Beneficial owners must be filed with the Register of Beneficial Ownership within five months of incorporation.
- Irish banks ask for the CRO certificate, constitution and RBO filing before opening an account.

"Ireland company registration" brings "cost", "number" and "documents" in Google's suggestions. Founders outside Europe hit one rule first: the EEA director requirement.

## The rule

At least one director of an Irish company must be resident in an EEA state. The alternatives:

| Option | What it means |
|---|---|
| EEA-resident director | A director living in the EEA |
| Section 137 bond | A €25,000 bond for two years |
| Real and continuous link | A Revenue certificate that the company carries on activity in Ireland |

## The steps

1. Choose a name and draft the constitution.
2. Appoint directors and a secretary, and arrange the EEA director or bond.
3. Incorporate through the CRO's CORE system.
4. Register for tax with Revenue.
5. File beneficial owners with the RBO within five months.
6. Open the business account.

## Banking

Irish banks want the CRO certificate, constitution, RBO entry, director and owner IDs, and an explanation of the business. Founders abroad should expect more questions.

## Paying into Ireland: the local rail

| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | SEPA Instant Credit Transfer |
| Run by | European Payments Council scheme, run by each bank |
| Settlement | Under ten seconds, 24/7 |
| Published fee | By the EU Instant Payments Regulation, no more than the bank charges for a standard SEPA transfer |

Source: [European Payments Council: SEPA Instant Credit Transfer](https://www.europeanpaymentscouncil.eu/what-we-do/sepa-instant-credit-transfer). Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.

## Where Rivet fits

Rivet opens accounts for registered companies, so it fits once your Irish company is incorporated. EUR and GBP details come on Growth and USD on every plan, with payouts to 120+ countries. Check our eligibility list for Irish companies. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See [best business bank account in Ireland](/blog/best-business-bank-account-ireland).

## Questions

### Can a non-resident set up an Irish company?

Yes, but at least one director must be EEA resident, or the company must hold a €25,000 insurance bond, or obtain a certificate of a real and continuous link from Revenue.

### What is the section 137 bond?

A €25,000 bond covering fines and penalties under company and tax law, taken out for two years, used when no director lives in the EEA.

### How long does incorporation take?

Often about a week through CORE, depending on the CRO's processing times.

### What about the RBO?

Register beneficial owners with the RBO within five months of incorporation. Banks ask for it.