Directors
- An LTD needs at least one director; other company types need at least two.
- Directors must be 18 or over and not disqualified or restricted.
- Directors have legal duties under the Companies Act 2014 — acting in good faith, keeping proper books, and not trading recklessly.
The EEA-resident director rule
At least one director must be resident in a European Economic Area country. If none is, the company must either:
- put a €25,000 non-resident director bond in place (insurance-backed, renewed every two years), or
- obtain a Section 140 certificate confirming the company has a real and continuous economic link to Ireland — usually only possible once it's trading here.
Company secretary
Every company must have a secretary, who keeps the statutory registers and makes sure filings happen on time. In a single-director LTD the secretary must be a different person — many founders use their formation agent's secretarial service.
Beneficial owners (RBO)
Separately, the company must record anyone owning or controlling more than 25% on the Register of Beneficial Ownership, normally within five months of incorporation.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be the only director of an Irish company?
Yes, a private company limited by shares (LTD) can have a single director, but it must also have a company secretary who is a different person.
What if no director lives in the EEA?
The company needs a €25,000 non-resident director bond or a Section 140 certificate from Revenue showing a real and continuous economic link with Ireland.