Ireland · Investor / Golden Visa

Business Permission

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)
✓ Verified against the official government source · Last verified 2026-06-25 · Our methodology
4/10 diff
Moderate

Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP): permission to establish and work full-time in your own business in Ireland; requ…

Min income
Processing
42+ days
Path to PR
Job offer
Not required
Direct answer

Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP): permission to establish and work full-time in your own business in Ireland; requires being of good character, no criminal convictions, EUR 50,000 in funding, and an innovative business proposal, evaluated quarterly by an independent committee; application fee EUR 350 (non-refundable).

At a Glance

Visa Duration
Processing Time
42+ days
Min Income
Path to PR
Difficulty
4/10 — Moderate

Eligibility Requirements

RequirementDetails
Job Offer RequiredNo
Sponsorship RequiredNo
Health Insurance RequiredNo

Related Pathways

Cost of Living

Dublin
Single (monthly)€3,043
Family (monthly)€5,400
Rent 1BR (center)€2,500
Groceries€761
Transport pass€183
Cork
Single (monthly)€2,595
Family (monthly)€4,600
Rent 1BR (center)€2,000
Groceries€649
Transport pass€156
Galway
Single (monthly)€2,514
Family (monthly)€4,400
Rent 1BR (center)€1,850
Groceries€628
Transport pass€151

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Business Permission?

Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP): permission to establish and work full-time in your own business in Ireland; requires being of good character, no criminal convictions, EUR 50,000 in funding, and an innovative business proposal, evaluated quarterly by an independent committee; application fee EUR 350 (non-refundable).

Are there alternative pathways to Ireland?

Yes. Ireland offers 14 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our Ireland country page.

What is the cost of living in Ireland?

Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Dublin: €3,043/mo; Cork: €2,595/mo; Galway: €2,514/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

Data last verified: 2026-06-25 · See our methodology

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