Nominee director and shareholder services: an Irish company without an EEA director
If you live outside the EEA, Irish law still wants one director who lives inside it. A nominee director fills that seat, and a nominee shareholder can hold the shares for you under a legal agreement. It's a legitimate, regulated way to run an Irish company from abroad. It isn't a way to hide from the authorities, and we'll be straight with you about what it does and doesn't do.
Who does what
The honest picture on privacy
Nominee arrangements change who appears on the record. They don't remove you from it.
Someone searching the CRO
They see the company, its registered office and the people on record as directors and secretary.
- The nominee director, as the director of record
- Your registered office address
- Your personal home address as a director
- The private agreement between you and the nominees
Revenue, regulators and your bank
The Register of Beneficial Ownership records who really owns or controls the company, and it still has to name you if you own more than 25%.
- You, as the beneficial owner on the RBO
- Due diligence on you from your bank and from us
- Your ownership from Revenue or law enforcement
- You from anti-money-laundering checks
What you keep
A Declaration of Trust records that the shares are held for you. A service agreement sets out how decisions are made.
- The economic benefit of the shares
- Control of your business strategy through the agreement
- The legal duties of a director
- The right to refuse anything unlawful
What a nominee director really is
A real director
A nominee director owes the same duties under section 228 of the Companies Act 2014 as any other, including acting in the company's interests. They won't sign whatever is put in front of them.
It meets the EEA rule
An EEA-resident nominee director satisfies section 137, so you don't need a bond. See the bond alternative.
A person, not a company
A director must be a natural person aged 18 or over. A corporate director isn't allowed.
Three ways to meet the residency rule
Nominee director
- Fills the EEA-resident seat for you
- Suits owners who don't know anyone in the EEA
- The nominee carries real legal responsibility
- Needs a clear service agreement
Section 137 bond
- You keep your own board unchanged
- A €25,000 bond valid for at least two years
- Doesn't replace a director, just waives the rule
- Needs renewing before it expires
Four steps to your Irish company
Consultation
We discuss your plans, the structure and what you need.
Due diligence
Identity and source checks, as the law requires for every client.
Agreements and filing
The Declaration of Trust, the services agreement and the CRO filing.
Incorporation
Your company registered, with a registered office in Dublin.
Nominee service questions
Is a nominee arrangement anonymous?
Can the nominee director act against my instructions?
How do I replace the nominee later?
Do I still need a company secretary?
Setting up an Irish company from abroad?
Tell us where you live and what the company will do. We'll explain whether a nominee, a bond or your own director suits you best.
General information only, not legal advice. Sources: Companies Act 2014 (sections 130, 137 and 228) and the Register of Beneficial Ownership. We carry out identity checks on every client.
Contact Us
Office Address
Unit 80, Cherry Orchard Business Park, D10NX96, Dublin 10, Ireland
Working Hours
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Email or Call Us
Email: moh@tasconsulting.ie
Mobile: +353 85 1477625