Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in fintech and payments. Matches your business model to the right MiFID scope and carries the file through to the CBI decision, banking and payment infrastructure included.
Get a forex license in Ireland.
The only English-speaking jurisdiction in the euro area: MiFID investment firm authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland - IFR/IFD capital from €75,000 to €750,000 by model, the passport into 30 EU/EEA states, common law, the home market of the world's financial groups in Dublin and 12.5% on trading profits.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Ireland in brief
The MiFID passport, in common law and in English.
Forex and CFD brokerage in Ireland is a MiFID investment firm authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) under the European Union (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2017 - Ireland's transposition of MiFID II. Initial capital is set by the IFR/IFD prudential regime: €75,000 for an agency model that holds no client money, €150,000 where the firm holds client money or assets, and €750,000 for dealing on own account. The CBI process opens with a Key Facts Document and a pre-application meeting, key officers go through the Fitness & Probity regime with interviews, and retail CFDs sit under permanent ESMA-aligned measures - leverage from 30:1 down to 2:1, negative balance protection, no bonuses.
Why Dublin makes the shortlist: after Brexit, Ireland is the only English-speaking country in the euro area and the natural home for groups that need common law and an EU passport at once; global banks, funds and payment companies already sit in Dublin, and the talent pool follows; trading profits are taxed at 12.5% - one of the lowest rates in Western Europe; and clients are protected by the Investor Compensation Scheme under the Investor Compensation Act 1998. The honest price of that standing is time and substance: the CBI expects real management from Ireland, resident directors and a working office, and review runs 9-15 months. We have walked this route and know where it stalls.
MiFID investment firm authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland: IFR/IFD capital of €75k/€150k/€750k by model, Key Facts Document and pre-application meeting, Fitness & Probity for officers, retail CFDs under ESMA rules - 9-15 months realistically.
The only English-speaking common-law jurisdiction in the euro area: a passport into 30 states, 12.5% on trading profits, the Investor Compensation Scheme. The price of that standing is real substance in Dublin.
The two routes
Dealing on own account - or the agency model.
One MiFID authorisation with IFR/IFD tiers: the principal model at €750,000 - or agency brokerage at €75,000-€150,000. We fix the model before drafting begins: it drives the capital, the programme of operations and how the CBI reads your file.
Principal at €750k - or agency at €75k-€150k.
01 - DEALING ON OWN ACCOUNT
The principal model
The full market-maker licence: dealing on own account in CFDs and FX derivatives, internalising flow and holding client money - the flagship Irish authorisation for brokers building a book.
The full market-maker licence: dealing on own account in CFDs and FX derivatives, internalising flow and holding client money - the flagship Irish authorisation for brokers building a book.
- ✓€750,000 initial capital under IFR/IFD
- ✓Dealing on own account and order execution
- ✓Client money under the CBI's client asset rules
- ✓MiFID passport into 30 EU/EEA states
- ✓Retail CFDs: leverage 30:1-2:1, balance protection
- ✓Investor Compensation Scheme behind clients
02 - THE AGENCY MODEL
Lower entry pointAgency broker
Reception, transmission and execution of orders without a book of your own: €75,000 with no client money - or €150,000 where the firm holds it. The same EU passport and the same Irish MiFID firm standing at markedly lower capital.
Reception and execution of orders without a book of your own: €75k with no client money, €150k with it - the same EU passport at lower capital.
- ✓€75,000 - agency model, no client money
- ✓€150,000 - holding client money or assets
- ✓STP flow to the group's execution venues
- ✓MiFID passport into 30 EU/EEA states
- ✓Lighter prudential load under IFR/IFD
- ✓Upgrade to principal - by extension
Cost and timing are confirmed for your project before work starts - including the capital tier and the scope of authorisation. Every amount is itemised in the quote.
Why Ireland
Standing that reads in any bank in the world.
Ireland competes on weight rather than price: common law, English, the euro area and a respected regulator - in one package.
✓
The only one in the euro area
After Brexit, Ireland is the only English-speaking common-law jurisdiction inside the euro area: contracts, courts and negotiations in English with full access to the EU market.Common law + English + euro.
✓
A passport into 30 states
One CBI authorisation opens retail and B2B across the EU/EEA - branches and freedom of services without licensing again country by country.One authorisation - the whole EU.
✓
12.5% on trading profits
The classic Irish rate for active business - one of the lowest in Western Europe; for groups under €750m in revenue it survives Pillar Two intact.Nothing lower in Western Europe.
✓
Dublin's talent depth
The IFSC has been gathering banks, funds and payment companies for decades - compliance officers, risk managers and directors with MiFID experience are hired locally.MiFID experience hired locally.
✓
A regulator with weight
CBI authorisation is a mark of quality for banks, payment providers and institutional counterparties: due diligence moves faster than with an offshore licence.Banks read CBI on sight.
✓
Investor protection built in
The Investor Compensation Scheme under the 1998 Act and the CBI's client asset rules - arguments a retail client can see and understand.ICS + client asset rules.
Comparison
How Ireland differs from the other routes.
An honest comparison: Ireland is the premium MiFID route for those who need common law and English, not the fastest or cheapest way into the EU.
Ireland and other jurisdictions
| Parameter |  Ireland | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regime | MiFID II - CBI · common law | MiFID desks or offshore |
| EU passport | Yes - 30 states | Only with EU licences |
| Timing | 9-15 months | 2-6 months in Estonia · weeks offshore |
| Tax | 12.5% trading profits | 0-30% headline |
Regime
IrelandMiFID II - CBI · common law
Other jurisdictionsMiFID desks or offshore
EU passport
IrelandYes - 30 states
Other jurisdictionsOnly with EU licences
Timing
Ireland9-15 months
Other jurisdictions2-6 months in Estonia · weeks offshore
Tax
Ireland12.5% trading profits
Other jurisdictions0-30% headline
By country
| Country | Licence type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | MiFID investment firm - CBI | 12.5% trading · CGT 33% | IFD €75k-€750k, Dublin substance |
 Cyprus | CySEC CIF | 15% from 2026 | IFD €75k-€750k, Limassol cluster |
 Estonia | Investment firm - FI | 0% · 22% on distribution | IFD €75k-€750k, statutory clock |
 United Kingdom | FCA authorisation | 25% · 19% small | £75k-£750k, CASS, outside the EU |
IrelandLicence typeMiFID investment firm - CBI
Taxation12.5% trading · CGT 33%
RequirementsIFD €75k-€750k, Dublin substance
CyprusLicence typeCySEC CIF
Taxation15% from 2026
RequirementsIFD €75k-€750k, Limassol cluster
EstoniaLicence typeInvestment firm - FI
Taxation0% · 22% on distribution
RequirementsIFD €75k-€750k, statutory clock
United KingdomLicence typeFCA authorisation
Taxation25% · 19% small
Requirements£75k-£750k, CASS, outside the EU
Before you apply
Requirements for the Irish licence.Licence requirements.
The CBI reviews a file that explains itself: model, capital, people and controls meet in one picture. This is what an application that gets through contains.
01
An Irish company - usually a private limited company, with real management and control from Ireland (the 'heart and mind' in Dublin).
02
Initial capital under IFR/IFD - €75,000 / €150,000 / €750,000 by model, paid in and evidenced.
03
Key Facts Document and a pre-application meeting with the CBI - model and scope agreed before the full file.
04
Qualifying shareholders - disclosure down to beneficial owners, clean history and source of funds.
05
Officers under the Fitness & Probity regime - PCF roles agreed with the CBI, key people interviewed.
06
Resident directors and independent non-executive directors - a board that actually meets in Ireland.
07
Programme of operations - MiFID services and instruments, corridors, projections and an IFR/IFD capital plan.
08
Client asset rules - segregation of client money and instruments under the CBI's Client Asset Requirements.
09
Compliance, risk and internal audit functions - named, with real resource on Irish soil.
10
AML/CFT system - KYC, monitoring and reporting under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.
11
Retail CFD measures - leverage 30:1-2:1 by class, negative balance protection, no bonuses - built into the product.
12
Operational presence - office, staff and systems in Ireland the CBI can visit.
01
Irish company, managed from Dublin.
02
Capital €75k/€150k/€750k by model.
03
KFD and CBI meeting before the file.
04
Clean shareholders, down to beneficial owners.
05
PCF roles through Fitness & Probity.
06
Resident and independent directors.
07
Programme of operations with capital plan.
08
Client assets under CBI rules.
09
Compliance, risk, internal audit.
10
AML/CFT under the 2010 Act.
11
ESMA CFD measures built in.
12
A real office that can be visited.
Reflects the European Union (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2017 and CBI requirements as at 2026. The exact scope for your model is fixed before filing.S.I. 375/2017 + CBI requirements, as at 2026.
How it works
From the first call to the CBI register.
01
Model and pre-application advice
Principal or agency model, the IFR/IFD capital tier and the scope of authorisation - fixed in writing before drafting starts.IFR/IFD tier fixed.
02
Key Facts Document and CBI meeting
KFD filed, pre-application meeting held - the regulator's expectations are known before the full file is assembled.CBI expectations known.
03
Company, capital and people
Irish company incorporated, capital paid in, directors and PCF role holders prepared for Fitness & Probity.Capital in, F&P ready.
04
Full file and review
Programme of operations, policies and capital plan filed; CBI questions cleared in comment rounds - 9-15 months realistically.9-15 months realistically.
05
Authorisation and launch
Entry on the CBI register, banking live, EU passport notified - a licensed Irish MiFID firm taking clients.Register, banking, EU passport.
The essentials
RegulatorCentral Bank of Ireland
FrameworkMiFID II · S.I. 375/2017
LicenceMiFID investment firm
Capital€75k / €150k / €750k
Client moneyClient Asset Requirements
Realistic9-15 months
EU passport30 states
Tax12.5% trading
Ireland rewards preparation: a file agreed at the pre-application meeting and complete on filing moves faster. That is where we start.
Presence in Ireland
We run Irish files from London and Dublin.
Prifinance - Ireland
Dublin · Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
01
Company formation in Ireland
Incorporating the private limited company, the capital structure and the corporate layer the CBI expects - built for the authorisation from day one.Incorporated as the CBI expects.
02
The CBI file
Key Facts Document, programme of operations, policies and the IFR/IFD capital plan - drafted end to end and carried through the pre-application meeting and review.From KFD to decision.
03
People and Fitness & Probity
Resident directors, independent non-executives and PCF role holders - sourcing, interview preparation and filing.Sourcing and preparation.
04
Banking and operations
Accounts, client money safekeeping under CBI rules and the operational build - timed with the authorisation so launch follows approval.Live on approval.
Our offices are also in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czechia
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Istanbul
Türkiye
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Worth knowing
Taxation of forex brokers in Ireland.
One of Western Europe's lowest rates on active business - inside a fully conventional, respected system.
12.5% on trading profits
The classic Irish rate for active trading activity - brokerage income normally qualifies; non-trading income is taxed at 25%.The broker's active income.
Pillar Two - large groups only
The 15% minimum applies to groups with global revenue of €750m or more - smaller brokers keep the 12.5%.Passive items sit apart.
Capital gains at 33%
CGT applies to disposals of assets and shareholdings - the exit is planned in advance, with participation exemption available to holdings.The exit is planned early.
VAT 23% - finance exempt
Financial services are VAT-exempt; the standard rate touches ordinary overheads only.23% on supplies only.
Dividends - broad exemptions
Dividend withholding tax is 25% by default, but payments into the EU and treaty countries are exempt in most structures.EU and treaties exempt.
75+ treaty network
One of Europe's widest treaty networks - the corridors into the US, the EU and Asia are covered.US, EU and Asia covered.
Tax at a glance
Trading profits12.5%
Non-trading income25%
Capital gains33%
VAT on financial servicesExempt · 23% standard
Double tax treaties75+
*2026 figures per the Revenue Commissioners. Outcomes at group and founder level are modelled for the specific structure.
Full professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We run the project end to end: company formation, file preparation, dealing with the regulator and compliance oversight - with an individual approach for every client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: the Irish company, the Key Facts Document, the programme of operations, AML/KYC policies and the IFR/IFD capital plan. His files are why CBI comment rounds run short.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole launch remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a licensed broker in business.
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Ireland · Central Bank of Ireland
Launch your forex project in Ireland with professional support.
Full support - from company formation to MiFID authorisation, banking and ongoing compliance - with a team that knows the CBI process.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Ireland right for your project?
Our lawyers will review your case free of charge and issue a written opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope or route fits your business.
Written opinion within 2-5 business days
Request a free opinion →Questions and answers
Forex license in Ireland - your questions answered.
What licence does a forex broker need in Ireland?+
A MiFID investment firm authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland under the European Union (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2017 - Ireland's transposition of MiFID II. It covers reception and execution of orders, dealing on own account and work in CFDs and FX derivatives - the scope follows the services you apply for.
How much capital is required?+
Under the IFR/IFD prudential regime: €75,000 for an agency model with no client money, €150,000 where the firm holds client money or assets, and €750,000 for dealing on own account. Ongoing requirements are then calculated on K-factors - the capital plan forms part of the file.
How long does licensing actually take?+
Realistically 9-15 months end to end: Key Facts Document and pre-application meeting, then the full file and CBI comment rounds. A complete file, agreed in advance, moves markedly faster.
What is Fitness & Probity and who does it apply to?+
The CBI's officer approval regime: key roles (PCFs - directors, heads of compliance and risk) are agreed with the regulator individually, and candidates evidence competence and reputation and sit interviews. We prepare people for that stage.
Does the Irish licence give an EU passport?+
Yes - CBI authorisation opens all 30 EU/EEA states through freedom of services or branches, with no second licensing round. Since Brexit that is Dublin's central advantage over London.
What are the retail CFD restrictions?+
Permanent ESMA-aligned measures: leverage from 30:1 (major currency pairs) down to 2:1 (crypto), negative balance protection, 50% margin close-out, a ban on bonuses and standardised risk warnings.
How are Irish brokers taxed?+
12.5% on trading profits (for groups with revenue of €750m or more, the 15% Pillar Two minimum), 25% on non-trading income, CGT at 33%, financial services VAT-exempt, and a network of 75+ tax treaties.
What substance does the CBI expect?+
Real management from Ireland: resident directors and independent non-executives, a board that meets in Dublin, named compliance and risk functions and an office the regulator can visit. A letterbox does not pass.
How is client money protected?+
By the CBI's Client Asset Requirements - segregation of client money and instruments, daily reconciliations and reporting; plus the Investor Compensation Scheme under the Investor Compensation Act 1998 if the firm fails.
Why Prifinance for Ireland?+
We connect the Irish file to the reality of the group: the right capital tier, people who pass Fitness & Probity, banking and structure - and we run the CBI process from the Key Facts Document to the register entry.
Which licence?+
A MiFID firm from the CBI.
Capital?+
€75k/€150k/€750k by model.
How fast?+
9-15 months realistically.
EU passport?+
Yes - 30 states.
Retail CFDs?+
ESMA rules, 30:1 leverage.
Tax?+
12.5% trading · CGT 33%.
Substance?+
Real, in Dublin.
Client money?+
CAR + compensation scheme.
Who is it for?+
Premium EU + common law.
Why you?+
CBI process, KFD to register.
Client notes
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Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
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One message stands between you and your Irish forex licence.
Get a free legal opinion on your project - our lawyers will review your case and set out which jurisdiction, licence scope or route fits your business.A free legal opinion: whether Ireland fits your project and which capital tier you need.
✓A written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free✓A clear recommendation on licence scope, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, agreed up front✓The team speaks English, Russian and Spanish
Prifinance is an independent legal and consulting firm. We are not a regulator, we are not affiliated with the Central Bank of Ireland or any other government body, we do not act on their behalf and we are not endorsed by them. Licences are granted by the competent authorities and are obtained directly from them.