Why
Ireland?

Some of the factors that make Ireland an attractive and competitive location for international financial services, are its membership of the European Union, it highly skilled, English-speaking workforce, and the fact that is a common law jurisdiction.
Why Ireland for Financial Services?

Some Key Points:

  • Ireland is a gateway to world markets and is one of the most open and globally connected countries in the world. Its geographic position, easy transport links to Europe, the US and the Middle East provides easy access to international markets

  • Ireland is the only English-speaking, common law country in both the EU and the eurozone.

  • Ireland offers a well-educated, highly skilled, flexible, internationally diverse and multilingual workforce. With 33 per cent of the population under 25 years old, Ireland has the youngest population in the EU, and over 50 per cent of those aged 30–34 have a third-level qualification – above the OECD average.

  • Ireland's membership of the European Union

  • ** Low corporation tax rate of 12.5% however following the October 2021 budget this only applies to firms making less than €750m a year. The Irish Government agreed that Ireland will sign up to a global deal on corporate tax reform that will set a minimum rate of 15 per cent for large companies.

  • Double tax agreements with 74 other countries (73 are in effect) affirm that international trade is a priority.

  • Ireland's 2025 Financial Strategy – is the governments strategy to promote Ireland as a strategic location for International Financial Services (IFS).

  • Ireland is the eighth largest exporter of financial services in the world (BPFI Report)

  • Ireland is the sixth largest exporter of financial services in Europe (BPFI Report - April 2023)

  • Ireland offers a well-developed financial infrastructure

  • Ireland has a strong and effective regulator through the Central Bank of Ireland which provides high quality, effective regulation and supervision and is fully embedded in the European System of Financial Supervision and the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM).

  • Ireland has grown a vibrant IT sector that includes all of the main global firms in hardware, software and internet services. The result is that Ireland has a thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers in industry and in Ireland's universities.

  • The international share of the industry has expanded since the UK voted in 2016 to leave the EU. This growth has been reflected in both in the range and sophistication of activities undertaken and number of new investors.