Pricing for Irish nominee director services is one of the least transparent areas in the Irish company formation market. Providers quote widely varying figures, rarely itemise what is included, and seldom disclose the charges that can push the real annual cost significantly above the headline fee. This guide gives you the 2026 market picture — including Chern & Co’s own confirmed rate — and a checklist of exactly what to ask before you sign any nominee director agreement.
2026 Irish nominee director cost: the range
An Irish nominee director service in 2026 costs between €1,500 and €3,000 per year across the Irish market. The variation reflects differences in the scope of service included, the provider’s professional standing, and whether the headline fee is genuinely all-in or a base rate with extras.
Chern & Co’s nominee director fee is €2,000 per year. This is our published, confirmed 2026 rate for the standard nominee director service. There are no hidden renewal markups, no annual price escalation clauses, and no surprise extras for routine statutory duties within the scope of the agreement. For full details of what our service covers, see the Chern & Co nominee director service page.
At the lower end of the market (below €1,500/year), be cautious: cut-price nominee director services often exclude basic statutory duties, do not carry professional indemnity insurance, and may involve nominees with minimal accountability structures. This creates real risk — particularly if the nominee fails to sign a time-sensitive CRO filing.
What the annual fee typically includes
A properly structured nominee director service should include the following as standard:
- CRO B10 appointment: Filing the director appointment form with the Companies Registration Office at the start of the relationship (and any subsequent resignation/replacement filings).
- Statutory director duty performance: The nominee signs the annual B1 annual return alongside the company secretary. This is a legal obligation that falls on every director — your nominee director carries this duty on your behalf.
- Board minutes and written resolutions: The nominee countersigns standard board resolutions (opening bank accounts, appointing officers, approving accounts) as required by your company’s operating rhythm.
- Director services agreement: A binding contract that limits the nominee’s role, requires them to act on your instructions, and establishes the indemnity from you to the nominee. This is the legal backbone of the arrangement.
- Indemnity from beneficial owner: You agree to indemnify the nominee against any liability they incur in their formal director role. Without this, no reputable professional will serve as a nominee director.
These five elements should be non-negotiable baseline inclusions. If a provider does not explicitly confirm them, ask.
What is NOT included by default — common upsells
Even well-priced nominee director services often separate the following from the core annual fee. Some are legitimate scope boundaries; others are opportunistic extras you should identify upfront.
- Nominee shareholder: If you also need a nominee shareholder (to hold shares on your behalf), this is almost always a separate service with a separate annual fee. Not all non-EU founders need this — it depends on your ownership structure and RBO obligations.
- Registered office address: A physical Irish address for CRO correspondence purposes (required under CA 2014 s.50) is typically a separate annual fee from a nominee director. Expect €200–€400/year for a Dublin business address service.
- Bank account introduction: Some providers offer a “warm introduction” to an Irish bank as part of a premium package. If this is included in the quote you are reviewing, understand what it actually means — a warm introduction does not guarantee a successful account opening, which depends on your company’s own documentation and compliance standing.
- Company secretarial services: Preparation of statutory minutes, maintenance of the statutory registers (members register, directors register), and annual return preparation are company secretarial functions that are often quoted separately from the director appointment itself.
- Bookkeeping and accounting: Annual accounts preparation, Corporation Tax (CT1) filing, and VAT returns are professional accountancy services. They are never included in a nominee director fee.
2026 pricing tiers: what the market looks like
| Tier | Typical annual cost | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Director only | €1,500–€2,000 | Nominee appointment (B10), statutory duty performance, director services agreement, indemnity |
| Director + office + light secretarial | €2,200–€2,800 | Above + registered office address + basic statutory records maintenance |
| Full secretarial bundle | €2,800–€3,500+ | Above + annual return preparation (B1), board minutes drafting, annual accounts coordination, bank intro |
Chern & Co’s €2,000/year rate falls in the Director only tier — the clean, no-extras nominee appointment covering all core statutory duties. Registered office address and company secretarial services are available separately if you need a bundled package. Contact us for a combined quote.
Hidden charges to ask about before signing
The following are the most common sources of unexpected cost in nominee director arrangements. Ask about each one before agreeing to any contract:
- Annual price escalation policy: Does the provider apply an automatic annual increase (e.g., CPI + 2%)? Ask for the price schedule for years 2–5 in writing.
- Extra B10 filings mid-year: If the company undergoes director changes — for example, you appoint an additional director, or the nominee’s contact details change — is the B10 amendment filing included, or billed separately?
- Indemnity claim reimbursement: If the nominee director incurs a legitimate liability in their formal role (a tax penalty for a missed filing, for instance), the indemnity requires you to reimburse them. Understand the process: how are these claims notified, and what is the reimbursement timeline?
- Resignation notice period: What notice does the nominee give before resigning? A 30-day notice period is standard but some providers apply 7-day or even immediate-resignation clauses. A nominee who can resign with one week’s notice creates a serious operational risk.
- Ad-hoc signing requests: Are routine director signatures (bank mandate updates, lease agreements, shareholder resolutions) included, or charged per-document?
Bond vs nominee director: long-term cost comparison
The s.137 bond is sometimes presented as a cheaper alternative to a nominee director. In year one, the numbers are similar: a bond premium runs at approximately €2,000 or more for the statutory €25,000 two-year cover. But the bond provides no operational value — it is a compliance backstop only, not a director on your register.
By year five, the bond’s cumulative cost in renewals approaches €5,000, while a nominee director at €2,000 per year reaches €10,000. However, the nominee director adds five years of banking-compatible, CRO-registered, operationally capable directorship — something no bond can replicate.
For a full cost projection and decision guide, see our bond vs nominee director comparison.
How to validate pricing: questions to ask three providers
The Irish market has dozens of nominee director providers, ranging from law firms and accountancy practices to specialist formation agents. Before committing, get quotes from at least three providers and ask each the following:
- Is your annual fee truly all-in for the five items listed above (B10 filing, statutory duty performance, board minutes, director services agreement, indemnity)?
- What is your price for year 3 and year 5? Is there an annual escalation formula?
- What is your nominee director’s resignation notice period?
- Do you carry professional indemnity insurance, and at what limit?
- How many Irish companies does each individual nominee director currently serve?
That last question matters: a nominee director serving 500+ companies simultaneously is a red flag for operational quality. A professional nominee should have capacity to genuinely review documents before signing — not rubber-stamp en masse.
To understand the full scope of what a nominee director role involves in Irish law, see our foundational guide: who are nominee directors and shareholders in Ireland?
For the complete non-EU company formation process — including CRO A1 form, RBO, VAT, and banking — see our non-EU resident registration requirements checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Irish nominee director cost in 2026?
The Irish market range in 2026 is €1,500–€3,000 per year. Chern & Co’s confirmed nominee director fee is €2,000 per year, covering the standard director-only service with all core statutory duties included.
Is VAT charged on nominee director fees?
Irish company formation and professional services may be subject to VAT at the standard Irish rate of 23%. Confirm with your provider whether their quoted nominee director fee is VAT-exclusive or VAT-inclusive, and obtain a VAT invoice for your records.
Can the nominee director fee be booked as a company expense?
In most cases, yes — professional fees for company directorship services are a legitimate business expense under Irish tax law. Confirm with your accountant how to categorise the cost in your statutory accounts.
What happens if I fall behind on paying the nominee director annual fee?
A reputable provider’s director services agreement will include provisions for non-payment — typically a notice period before the nominee resigns. A director resignation triggered by non-payment leaves the company potentially in breach of s.137. Pay on time, or arrange a payment plan before the issue arises.
Can I negotiate the nominee director fee?
For multi-year commitments or multi-company structures (e.g., a holding company and one or more subsidiaries), some providers will consider a bundled rate. It is worth asking — but be cautious of providers who dramatically discount below market rates without a clear explanation of what is being excluded.
Written by Helen Polunina, Client Solutions Expert at Chern & Co. Reviewed by Tetiana Sytnik, ACCA Certified Accountant. Content accurate as of May 2026.
