Ireland Start-up Entrepreneur Programme in 2026

Ireland's Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) is the main immigration programme for non-EEA founders with qualifying innovative businesses.

It is not a generic company-registration visa.

Core eligibility

Immigration Service Delivery states that the applicant must:

  • be of good character;
  • have the required €50,000 funding available for the principal founder; and
  • submit an innovative business proposal.

The STEP guidelines focus on high-potential start-ups in the innovation economy. Ordinary domestically oriented retail, hospitality or personal-service businesses are not the intended target.

Where there are multiple non-family principals, the guidelines apply a separate funding rule for additional principals.

Application fee and evaluation

The application fee is €350 and is non-refundable.

STEP proposals can be submitted electronically, but the business proposals are considered by an evaluation committee on a quarterly basis. Approval is therefore not the same as instant immigration permission.

Residence comes after approval

The route has an immigration sequence:

  1. submit the STEP application and supporting evidence;
  2. pay the €350 fee;
  3. have the innovative proposal evaluated;
  4. if approved, satisfy the post-approval conditions;
  5. obtain the relevant immigration permission and, where applicable, entry visa and registration.

Simply incorporating an Irish company, registering with the Companies Registration Office, opening a bank account or registering for tax does not create a right to live in Ireland.

Work and business rights

STEP is designed so an approved entrepreneur can reside in Ireland to develop the approved business. The permission is tied to the immigration approval and conditions; it is not a blanket permission for unrelated employment.

The old Immigrant Investor Programme is closed

Ireland's Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was closed to new applications in 2023. Existing IIP permissions can still appear in government family-policy material because legacy participants remain in the system. That does not mean a new investor or “golden visa” application can be filed today.

Tax separation

Irish corporate tax, personal tax residence, domicile and remittance-basis questions are separate from STEP immigration eligibility. Immigration approval does not determine tax residence.

Related: Stamp 0, family reunification, Ireland hub, startup visas, methodology.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Ireland