EIIS Investor Relief (2026)

EIIS (Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme) gives investors up to 40% income tax relief on investments in qualifying Irish companies. For founders, it makes your company significantly more attractive to Irish angel investors.

What is EIIS?

EIIS replaced the BES (Business Expansion Scheme) in 2012. It allows individual investors to claim income tax relief of 30-40% on investments in qualifying Irish SMEs, up to €250,000 per year for companies under 7 years old (or €500,000 for older companies in certain conditions).

For investors: what do you get?

• 30% tax relief in the year of investment
• Additional 10% (total 40%) if the company meets employment or R&D conditions after 3 years
• Maximum investment: €250,000/year for companies under 7 years
• Shares must be held for at least 4 years
• No guaranteed return — this is equity, not debt

For founders: why it matters

• Irish angel investors actively seek EIIS-qualifying companies because of the tax relief
• Your pitch becomes: "Invest €100,000, get €30,000–€40,000 back from Revenue"
• EIIS certification is a credibility signal to investors
• Maximum the company can raise: €15 million lifetime EIIS funding

Qualifying conditions

• Irish-resident company (LTD or DAC)
• Carrying on qualifying trade (most trades qualify; excluded: property, financial services, professional services)
• Less than €30 million in gross assets
• Fewer than 250 employees
• Company must use the funds for qualifying purposes (working capital, R&D, expansion — NOT property or financial investments)

How to get EIIS certification

• 1. Apply to Revenue for a Statement of Qualification (Form RICT 3)
• 2. Revenue reviews and issues certificate (takes 4-8 weeks)
• 3. Company issues EIIS shares to investors
• 4. Investors claim relief on their personal tax return

Common mistakes

• Not applying for EIIS certification BEFORE taking the investment
• Using funds for non-qualifying purposes (repaying loans, dividends)
• Investors selling shares before 4-year holding period (claw-back)

Revenue: EIIS scheme →

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General information, not investment or tax advice. Last updated 16 April 2026.