There are two main ways to close a solvent company in Ireland. If the company has stopped trading and has almost no assets or debts, the cheapest route is a voluntary strike-off, which costs €15 to file with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). If the company still has assets to distribute, or more than minimal liabilities, it is usually closed through a members’ voluntary liquidation run by a liquidator. This guide explains both, step by step, and what happens after a company is dissolved.
Key facts
- Voluntary strike-off: form H15 on CORE, €15. Only for companies that have stopped trading with assets and liabilities each no more than €150.
- Before applying: all annual returns must be filed, Revenue must confirm it does not object, and a notice must be published in a national daily newspaper.
- Members’ voluntary liquidation: for solvent companies with assets. Directors declare the company can pay its debts within 12 months and a liquidator is appointed.
- After dissolution: any assets left in the company become State property.
- Restoration: a struck off company can be restored within 20 years. The CRO fee is €300.
Option 1: Voluntary strike-off
A company that has never traded, or has stopped trading and has no outstanding creditors, can ask the Registrar to strike it off. It is the simplest and cheapest way to close a small company, but the conditions are strict.
Conditions for voluntary strike-off
Each director must certify on form H15 that:
- the company has passed a resolution, dated no more than three months before the application, to apply for strike-off because it has never traded or has stopped trading, and to carry on no business and incur no liabilities while the application is pending
- the company’s liabilities, including contingent and future liabilities, are no more than €150
- the company’s assets are no more than €150
- the company is not involved in any ongoing or pending court case.
In addition:
- All outstanding annual returns must have been filed.
- Revenue must have given written confirmation, dated no more than three months before the application, that it does not object to the strike-off.
- The company must have published a notice of its intention to apply in at least one national daily newspaper, within 30 days before the application.
The €150 rule is stricter than it looks
Assets and liabilities are tested separately. You cannot net one off against the other on a balance sheet to show that the company has nothing left. Debts only count as cleared when they have been paid in full or written off by the creditor. Issued share capital is not counted as an asset for this purpose. In practice, empty the company bank account, pay or settle every debt, and close accounts with suppliers before you apply.
Which newspapers can be used?
The CRO accepts notices in these daily newspapers: the Irish Independent, the Irish Daily Mail, the Irish Daily Star, the Irish Daily Mirror, the Irish Times, the Irish Examiner, the Herald and the Sun (Irish edition). If the company changed its name or registered office in the last year, the notice must also show the former name or address.
Step by step
- Stop trading, pay or settle all debts and empty the bank account, so assets and liabilities are each no more than €150.
- File any outstanding annual returns.
- Obtain a letter of no objection from Revenue.
- Pass the special resolution to apply for strike-off.
- Publish the notice in an approved daily newspaper.
- Within 30 days of the notice, file form H15 on CORE and pay the €15 fee. Paper H15s are returned.
Option 2: Members’ voluntary liquidation
If the company is solvent but has assets to distribute to shareholders, or debts that will take time to settle, the usual route is a members’ voluntary winding up, also called a members’ voluntary liquidation (MVL).
- Declaration of solvency. A majority of the directors make a declaration that, after a full enquiry into the company’s affairs, they believe it can pay its debts in full within 12 months of the start of the winding up.
- Resolution and liquidator. Within 30 days of the declaration, the members pass a resolution to wind up the company and appoint a liquidator.
- Notice. The resolution must be advertised in Iris Oifigiúil within 14 days of being passed.
- CRO filings. The declaration of solvency, the resolution and the notice of the liquidator’s appointment are filed with the CRO within strict deadlines.
- Winding up. The liquidator realises the assets, pays the creditors, distributes what is left to the shareholders and then dissolves the company.
Getting the declaration of solvency right is critical. If it is ineffective, the company has to go to the High Court for directions. An MVL is run by a qualified liquidator, so you will need an accountant or insolvency practitioner.
If a company cannot pay its debts, a members’ liquidation is not available. Insolvent companies are closed through a creditors’ voluntary liquidation or a court winding up, and directors should take professional advice early.
What happens after a company is dissolved?
- Remaining assets go to the State. Property left in a dissolved company becomes State property, so make sure everything has been distributed or sold first.
- Debts do not disappear. Liabilities from before dissolution remain liabilities of the company. A creditor can apply to have it restored to pursue a claim.
- Trading on is personal. If the business keeps trading after the company has been struck off, the people running it trade personally, because the company no longer legally exists.
- Restoration is possible. A company struck off can be restored within 20 years of dissolution. The CRO fee for restoration is €300, and once restored the company is treated as if it had never been struck off.
Which option is right for you?
| Voluntary strike-off | Members’ voluntary liquidation | |
|---|---|---|
| Company situation | Stopped trading, assets and liabilities each €150 or less | Solvent, with assets to distribute |
| CRO fee | €15 (H15) | Filing fees plus the liquidator’s fees |
| Professional needed | Not required, but often helpful | Yes, a liquidator |
| Revenue involvement | Letter of no objection required | Liquidator deals with Revenue |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to close a company in Ireland?
A voluntary strike-off costs €15 to file with the CRO, plus the cost of a newspaper notice and any accountancy help. A liquidation costs more because a liquidator must be paid.
Can I strike off a company that still has money in the bank?
Only if the company’s assets are no more than €150. Distribute or spend the funds properly before you apply, or use a members’ voluntary liquidation instead.
Do I need to file outstanding annual returns before strike-off?
Yes. All outstanding annual returns must be delivered before the CRO will accept a voluntary strike-off application.
What happens to company debts after strike-off?
They remain liabilities of the company, and a creditor can apply to restore the company to pursue them. That is why debts must be settled before you apply.
Can a struck off company be brought back?
Yes, within 20 years of dissolution. The CRO fee for restoration is €300.
Related guides
- CRO annual return: deadlines, fees and late filing
- How to set up a limited company in Ireland
- Sole trader vs limited company in Ireland
Sources
- CRO: Voluntary strike-off
- CRO: Members’ voluntary winding up
- CRO: Company termination
- CRO: Company fees
Checked against CRO guidance in October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Closing a company has legal and tax consequences, so take advice from an accountant or solicitor. More business guides and news in our Business section.
