Estonia vs Ireland side by side
Both are popular jurisdictions for founders, but they suit different situations. Here are the headline numbers, verified June 2026. Each country links to its full profile with the complete data.
| Feature | 🇪🇪Estonia | 🇮🇪Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Main company type | OÜ (private limited) | LTD (private limited) |
| Corporate tax | 0% retained / 22% distributed | 12.5% trading |
| VAT | 24% | 23% |
| Minimum capital | €0 (€0.01/share) | None |
| Setup time | ~1 day | ~3-5 days |
| Remote setup | Yes, e-Residency | Yes |
Which is right for you
Choose Estonia if you want to form and run everything online through e-Residency, reinvest profit tax-free (tax only on distribution), and avoid a local director requirement.
Choose Ireland if the 12.5% trading rate, an English common-law system and easy credibility with investors and banks matter most. You will need an EEA-resident director or a Section 137 bond.
Still weighing it up? Compare them against the rest in company formation in Europe, or see the overall best country ranking.
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