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Setting Up in the UK from Ireland
Of all the markets expanding into the UK, Ireland is the closest match — shared language, closely related legal systems, and a business culture with few surprises. That familiarity is genuinely useful, but it also means the small differences that do exist are the ones that catch Irish founders out, precisely because everything else looks so similar.
Why Ireland businesses choose the UK
- The UK remains Ireland's largest single trading partner outside the EU, with deep, longstanding business ties across professional services, tech, and food and drink
- The Common Travel Area means Irish and UK citizens can live and work in each other's countries without a visa — a genuine advantage over every other market on this list
- No language or cultural adaptation required, letting Irish founders focus entirely on the operational and compliance differences that do exist
Irish Private Limited Company vs UK Limited Company
| Irish Private Limited Company | UK Limited Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Filing body | Companies Registration Office (CRO) | Companies House |
| Payroll/tax authority | Revenue (PAYE/PRSI) | HMRC (PAYE/National Insurance) |
| Corporation tax rate | 12.5% (trading income) | 25% (main rate, from April 2023) |
| Annual return | CRO annual return | Companies House confirmation statement |
| VAT registration threshold | Lower, and mandatory registration rules differ | £90,000 (as of 2024) |
Most Irish companies expanding into the UK set up a UK subsidiary rather than trading directly, largely because it cleanly separates UK VAT, payroll, and corporation tax obligations from the Irish parent — simpler for both Revenue and HMRC to deal with. Compare subsidiary vs branch in detail →
The setup process, step by step
- 01Company registration — UK incorporation with Companies House, usually completed within 24–48 hours Read our Company Registration Checklist guide →
- 02Registered office — a UK registered office address is required even if you're not initially leasing UK premises
- 03PAYE and HMRC registration — needed as soon as you employ anyone in the UK, including a director drawing a UK salary Read our How to Register as a UK Employer (PAYE) When You Do Not Have a UK Address guide →
- 04UK business bank account — generally more straightforward for Irish-owned entities than for non-EU applicants, but still requires its own KYC process separate from your Irish bank Read our Business Bank Account for Non-Residents: What Actually Works guide →
- 05Ongoing compliance — UK confirmation statements and accounts run on a different cycle and deadline structure than Irish CRO filings, so these need tracking separately
Common questions from Ireland founders
Do I need a visa to work in the UK from Ireland?
No — the Common Travel Area means Irish citizens can live and work in the UK without a visa, one of the few genuine advantages Irish founders have over other international markets.
Can my Irish company just trade directly in the UK without a UK entity?
It's possible for limited activity, but most growing businesses set up a UK subsidiary once they have UK staff, UK contracts, or meaningful UK revenue, largely to keep VAT and payroll obligations clean on both sides.
Is UK corporation tax higher than Irish corporation tax?
Yes, notably — Ireland's 12.5% trading rate is well below the UK's main 25% rate, which is worth factoring into where profits are best recognised, in conversation with your accountant on both sides.
How does payroll work if I have staff in both countries?
UK employees need to be run through a UK PAYE scheme separate from Irish Revenue payroll — the two systems don't talk to each other, so this needs setting up as its own process.
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