Your Guide to Investing in Ireland

Yes, absolutely. Ireland has a 33% Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on profits from selling shares, ETFs, and most investments after your annual exemption of €1,270. However, ETFs domiciled in Ireland or the EU face an even more complex regime: deemed disposal rules mean you pay 41% exit tax every 8 years, even if you haven't sold. This makes ETF investing particularly tax-inefficient in Ireland compared to holding individual shares, which only face CGT when you actually sell.

They can be, but Ireland's tax treatment makes them less attractive. The 8-year deemed disposal rule and 41% exit tax significantly reduce returns compared to countries like the UK or Australia. You'll owe tax every 8 years regardless of whether you've sold, which compounds your losses over time. Many Irish investors prefer individual shares (subject to 33% CGT only on actual disposal) or invest through pension schemes where growth is tax-free. ETFs still offer diversification benefits, but you must factor in the tax drag.

Yes, most Irish brokers offer access to US stocks. Irish residents can trade on NYSE and NASDAQ through platforms like IG, XTB, eToro, and Interactive Brokers. However, be aware of currency exchange costs when converting EUR to USD, and that US dividends are subject to 15% withholding tax under the Ireland-US tax treaty (you can claim foreign tax credit). Individual US stocks are subject to 33% Irish CGT when you sell, making them more tax-efficient than EU-domiciled ETFs.

For most Irish investors, pensions are far more tax-efficient. You get tax relief at your marginal rate (up to 40%) on contributions, growth is completely tax-free, and you can take 25% tax-free on retirement. The deemed disposal rules don't apply within pensions. However, pensions lock your money away until retirement age. If you need flexibility or are already maximizing pension contributions, taxable accounts make sense — but consider individual shares over ETFs to minimize the tax burden from deemed disposal.

At the S&P 500's historic average return of 10%, investing €500/month for 20 years could grow to around €380,000 before Irish taxes. Your total contributions would be €120,000. However, factor in Ireland's deemed disposal rules for ETFs (41% exit tax every 8 years), and your actual after-tax return drops significantly — potentially to €280,000-300,000. This demonstrates why tax-efficient investing strategies are crucial for Irish investors. Consider pension investing, individual shares, or tax-efficient fund structures to maximize growth.