For anyone thinking of going freelance or launching their own small business, new research from Europe’s second-largest neobank, bunq, reveals that Ireland is one of the most affordable countries in Europe to get started. Among the top 10 EU economies analysed, Ireland stands out as a highly attractive destination for entrepreneurs and digital nomads looking to kick off their next venture.
Low Entry Costs
Ireland saw a big boost in entrepreneurship in 2024, with 23,384 new businesses starting up – a 5.5% jump from the year before. That includes everything from limited companies to sole traders and partnerships. It was actually the second busiest year for new business registrations in over a decade – only 2021, right after the pandemic, saw more. A key factor behind this growth is Ireland’s low financial barriers that present a highly attractive environment for emerging business ventures. With a nominal fee of €50 charged by the Companies Registration Office (CRO) to register a business officially, combined with a €1 minimum capital requirement and an average business bank account setup cost of €7.17, Ireland remains a popular destination for entrepreneurs compared to other European countries giving self-starters a true head start.
Before professional advice and excluding tax advisor fees, potential staffing costs, and other overheads these mandatory government and basic setup costs total just €58.17 – which makes it on the third place in the European comparison, right after Greece and Portugal. Even though not legally required for setting up a business, the costs of tax advice in Ireland are fairly low with an average hourly rate of €50. By factoring in an average of 15 hours of tax support, the total projected costs for starting a business would increase to €808.17.
How Ireland Compares: A European Snapshot
While Greece (€287) and Portugal (€751) offer the lowest startup costs, Ireland’s total of €808.17 is competitive. In stark contrast are countries like Germany (€26.266) and Italy (€13.512), where LLC’s face significantly higher initial expenses, largely due to mandatory capital requirements. Notably, Ireland also compares favourably on the cost of essential tax advice (€750 for 15 hours), sitting well below countries like France (€3.300) and Austria (€3.000). For comparison, the UK’s post-Brexit startup costs are broadly similar, with a £50 registration fee and no minimum capital requirement, but business banking and tax advisory fees can run higher.
Ireland still tops the list with lowest tax rate
With its remarkably low corporation tax rate of 12.5%, Ireland offers an unbeatable advantage for businesses aiming to set up within the EU. This rate is notably the lowest in the study and compares very favorably to the UK’s tiered tax system, which varies from 19% to 25% based on profits. This factor, combined with the low initial setup costs, positions Ireland as a hidden gem for startups and expanding companies.
Bianca Zwart, Chief Strategy Officer at bunq, comments on the research: “Starting something new takes courage, but where you start can make all the difference. Our research shows that in the right environment – like Ireland’s – ambition meets opportunity in a very real, tangible way.”
