How Long Does It Take to Buy a Ready-Made Irish Company?
The direct answer is 24 to 72 hours from payment and KYC completion. That is the typical window for a standard ready-made Irish company transfer – from the moment a buyer’s identity documents are verified to the moment the CRO B10 director change is filed and ownership has effectively passed. For buyers under time pressure, this timeline is the primary reason to choose a shelf company over a new incorporation, which takes a minimum of 5 working days through the CRO standard route. This guide breaks down the process stage by stage so buyers know exactly what is happening and when.
Short Answer: Typical Timeline Is 24 to 72 Hours
For a straightforward ready-made purchase – Irish or EEA-resident buyer, no nominee director required, no express VAT urgency – the end-to-end process from payment to director transfer takes between one and three working days. The main variables are KYC document review time and CRO processing speed on the B10 filing. Buyers with clean, well-prepared documents at submission tend to land at the faster end of this range.
Step-by-Step Timeline Breakdown
Hour 0: Order placed and payment confirmed
The buyer selects a company from the available inventory, completes the purchase, and receives a confirmation with KYC document requirements. At this stage, the company remains under the formation agent’s name but is reserved for the buyer. Payment in full is typically required before KYC begins.
Hours 0-6: KYC review
Anti-money laundering requirements under the Criminal Justice Acts require the formation agent to verify the buyer’s identity before completing the transfer. Standard requirements include a certified copy of a passport or national ID card, proof of address (utility bill or bank statement, dated within three months), and source of funds declaration. If documents are submitted promptly and are in order, KYC review typically completes within a few hours during business hours. Delays at this stage are the most common cause of the transfer window extending beyond 24 hours.
Hours 6-24: Share transfer and B10 preparation
Once KYC is approved, the formation agent prepares the stock transfer form (transferring the shares from the original shareholder to the buyer), new share certificate, and the CRO B10 form (Change of Director and/or Secretary). The buyer signs the required documents – this is typically done electronically for speed. The statutory books are updated to reflect the new shareholder and director information.
Hours 24-48: CRO B10 filing
The CRO B10 form is submitted to the Companies Registration Office to record the change of director. CRO processes these filings in their standard queue. Once filed, the change is reflected on the public CRO register. The B10 filing is the legal event that formally transfers directorial control to the buyer. Until it is filed, the transfer is complete in practice (documents signed, shares transferred) but not yet publicly registered.
Hours 48-72: Handover package and post-transfer administration
The buyer receives the complete handover package: original or certified Certificate of Incorporation, signed constitution, share certificates, updated statutory books, and confirmation of RBO filing status. The buyer then initiates any post-transfer steps – bank account opening, VAT registration application (if not buying a pre-VAT-registered company), EORI application, and nominee director appointment if required.
What Can Extend the Timeline
KYC delays
The most common cause of delay is incomplete or unclear identity documents. Blurry scans, expired passports, address documents more than three months old, and missing source of funds information all require back-and-forth that adds days to the process. Buyers who prepare documents in advance and submit a complete, clear package on day one consistently experience the fastest transfers.
Non-EU buyer nominee director setup
Non-EU buyers who need to appoint a nominee director to satisfy the CA 2014 section 137 EEA-resident director requirement add a coordination step to the timeline. The nominee director appointment requires a separate agreement, CRO B10 filing, and in some cases a board resolution. This typically adds 24-48 hours to the process. See the guide to the Irish resident director requirement for a full explanation of when this applies and what it costs.
VAT or EORI add-ons
Buyers adding VAT registration or EORI applications to the purchase do not delay the company transfer itself, but they should be aware that these are separate Revenue processes running in parallel. VAT registration with Revenue takes 4-12 weeks from application regardless of how quickly the company transfer completes. Buying a company that already holds a live VAT registration (the Q2 product at €12,000) is the only way to have a VAT number active from day one.
Non-business-hours submissions
CRO B10 filings submitted after 4pm on a Friday will not be processed until Monday morning at the earliest. Buyers with Friday deadlines should target document submission by midday Wednesday to allow KYC review and B10 preparation before the CRO closes for the week.
Same-Day and Express Options
Some formation agents offer an express tier that prioritises KYC review and B10 preparation, with a target of company transfer within hours of document receipt rather than the standard 24-hour window. This typically applies to buyers whose documents are clear and complete. A surcharge applies for express processing. Buyers with same-day urgency should confirm express availability with the agent before placing an order.
Ready-Made vs New Company: Speed Comparison
| Route | Fastest possible | Typical | Standard CRO queue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready-made company | Same day (express, clean docs) | 24-72 hours | N/A |
| New incorporation (standard CRO) | 5 working days | 5-10 working days | Subject to CRO queue |
For buyers where speed is not the primary driver, a new company formation may be the better choice on cost grounds. See the full ready-made vs new company comparison for a side-by-side view of cost, name control, and constitution customisation. For buyers interested in reviewing what the ready-made package includes beyond the timeline, see the complete package contents guide.
2026 Pricing in Context
The 2026 price for a ready-made Irish company without pre-existing VAT registration is €5,000 (flat, no sale). This covers the full transfer package: Certificate of Incorporation, constitution, statutory books, RBO filing, 12 months of registered office, and the B10 director change filing. The B1 annual return, charged at €80 per year (€60 service fee plus €20 CRO fee), is a separate recurring cost that buyers inherit from the company’s existing annual return cycle.
Buyers ready to proceed can view available ready-made Irish companies and select a company suited to their timeline and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does the CRO B10 director change filing take to process?
A: The CRO processes B10 filings in their standard queue, typically within 1-2 working days of receipt. The filing appears on the public CRO register once processed. The actual transfer of directorial control takes effect from the date of filing, not from the date it appears on the public register.
Q: Can I buy a ready-made Irish company on the same day I need it?
A: In some cases yes, if the formation agent offers an express service and the buyer’s KYC documents are complete and clear at the time of submission. Buyers should contact the agent directly to confirm same-day availability and whether an express surcharge applies.
Q: Does the transfer timeline change if I need a nominee director?
A: Yes. Non-EU buyers who require a nominee director to satisfy the CA 2014 section 137 requirement should add 24-48 hours to the typical timeline to allow for the nominee appointment agreement and separate B10 filing.
Q: How long does VAT registration take after buying a ready-made company?
A: Revenue’s review process for new VAT registration applications takes 4-12 weeks from submission, regardless of company age. Buyers who need a VAT number active from day one should consider a VAT-registered ready-made company (Q2 product at €12,000) rather than purchasing a plain shelf company and applying separately.
Q: What documents do I need to prepare for KYC to avoid delays?
A: The standard requirements are a certified copy of a valid passport or EU national ID card, proof of current address (utility bill or bank statement dated within three months), and a source of funds declaration. Having these prepared in advance and submitted in clear, legible format is the single most effective way to ensure the fastest possible transfer.
