Working for yourself in Ireland from outside the EEA

What it is

If you're from outside the EEA (and not a UK citizen), you need permission before you come to Ireland to work, and that includes working for yourself. Ireland has no simple self-employment permission for freelancers or small businesses.

EU, EEA, Swiss and UK citizens can start a business in Ireland freely: see the sole trader guide.

The main route: the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)

STEP is for founders of innovative, high-potential start-ups:

• you need access to €50,000 in funding (€30,000 for each extra founder);
• the business must bring a new or innovative product or service to international markets;
• it must be able to create 10 jobs in Ireland and reach €1 million in sales within three to four years;
• it can't be retail, catering, personal services or a similar business.

If you're approved, you get permission to live and work on your business for two years at first, and your spouse or partner and children can usually come too.

Other ways your permission might allow it

• Stamp 4 (for example as the spouse of an Irish citizen, or after two years on a Critical Skills permit) lets you work for yourself without extra permission.
• Employees on an employment permit (Stamp 1) can't also run a business.

Before you start

For a STEP application you'll need:

• Your passport.
• A business plan showing the innovation and growth above.
• Evidence of your funding.
• A police certificate (or character report) for you and your partner, if they're coming.

Steps

1. Check your idea fits STEP, ideally talking to Enterprise Ireland, which assesses the business side.
2. Apply to Immigration Service Delivery from outside Ireland, with your plan and evidence.
3. If approved, apply for a visa if you need one, then travel.
4. Register your immigration permission (IRP card) by the date on your entry stamp.
5. Register your business for tax with Revenue.

Cost

An application fee for STEP (shown on ISD's website), plus the registration fee for your IRP card.

Common pitfalls

• Coming as a visitor to "start freelancing". That's not allowed, and you can't usually switch from inside Ireland.
• Small, local business ideas. STEP is for scalable, international start-ups.

When to ask a helper

Ask someone who came to Ireland on STEP, or through a Stamp 4 permission: they'll know how their application was assessed.