🇮🇪Ireland vs UK🇬🇧
Checked November 4, 2026 · How we score
| Metric | Ireland | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax | 12.5% | 25% |
| Top personal tax | 40% | 45% |
| Capital gains tax | 33% | 24% |
| VAT | 23% | 20% |
| Usual entity | Private company limited by shares (LTD) | Private limited company (Ltd) |
| Setup cost | $1,500–$4,000 | $150–$900 |
| Yearly cost | $3,500–$9,500 | $900–$3,500 |
| Time to form | 10 days | 1 day |
| Remote setup | Yes | Yes |
| Banking difficulty | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Digital nomad visa | No | No |
| Our score | 6.7/10 | 6.6/10 |
Choose Ireland if…
- →Tech and IP-heavy businesses selling into the EU
- →Founders who can use an EEA-resident director
- →Companies planning outside investment
Choose UK if…
- →Founders who need maximum credibility with banks and investors
- →VC-backed startups and fintech
- →Non-resident sellers who need a trusted entity
Questions people ask
Is Ireland or UK better for a new company?
Ireland has the lower overall tax burden (12.5% corporate, 40% top personal). UK is also easier and cheaper to set up and run. UK carries more weight with banks, investors and customers. Overall, Ireland scores 6.7/10 on our index vs 6.6/10.
Can a non-EU resident open a company in Ireland?
Yes, but at least one director must be an EEA resident, or the company must put up a EUR 25,000 bond. Many founders use a nominee director from a corporate service provider, which adds roughly EUR 1,500–3,000 per year.
What is Irish corporation tax in 2026?
12.5% on trading profit, 25% on passive income, and 15% for groups within Pillar Two (revenue of EUR 750m or more). Start-ups may also claim relief on the first three years.
Can a non-resident open a UK limited company?
Yes. Anyone aged 16+ can incorporate a UK Ltd online via Companies House for GBP 100 with a UK registered office address. Directors and persons with significant control must verify their identity, and there is no UK director residency requirement.
What is UK corporation tax in 2026?
25% on profits above GBP 250,000 and 19% on profits up to GBP 50,000, with marginal relief between those limits. Dividend tax rates for individuals rise by 2 points to 10.75% and 35.75% from April 2026.
More comparisons
Not tax or legal advice. Rates and rules change; we check official sources and update every page, but verify with a licensed adviser in the country before acting. Spotted something out of date? Use the correction form below.