Bankruptcy in Ireland for people moving from Germany and Austria
We're a law firm in Dublin. We prepare your bankruptcy application, represent you in the High Court and stay with you until you're discharged. For the move to Ireland you get our step by step guide, so you know exactly what to do and when.
The key points
- In Ireland, bankruptcy usually ends after 12 months. In Germany it's three years.
- You have to genuinely live in Ireland and have your centre of main interests here.
- Your debts need to be at least €20,000.
- Germany and Austria recognise an Irish bankruptcy under EU law.
You don't need an expensive all in one package
A lot of people think a move to Ireland is hard to manage without someone handling everything for them. In reality it comes down to a few clear steps. Thousands of people from Germany and Austria live and work in Ireland without ever using an agency. With our guide you know exactly what to do and in what order. We look after the legal side.
That has two advantages. You don't pay service fees for things you can easily handle yourself. And a life you have built in Ireland yourself is easy to show in court. That is exactly what the High Court looks at.
Your move to Ireland in five steps
Deregister in Germany or Austria
The guide tells you when the right time is.
Find a home in Ireland
The guide shows you where and how to look and what to watch for in a tenancy agreement.
PPS number and bank account
The PPS number is your Irish social security number. You need it for work, tax and public services.
Start work or register as self-employed
Either is possible. What matters is that your income is earned in Ireland.
Live in Ireland
How we help you
- A guide in German with every step, deadline and document
- Checking whether bankruptcy in Ireland makes sense for you
- Your application and sworn statement (affidavit)
- Your Statement of Affairs, line by line with you
- Representation in the High Court in Dublin
- Your point of contact with the Official Assignee during the bankruptcy
- Documents for recognition in Germany or Austria
What you handle with the guide
- Deregistering at home
- Finding a home and signing a tenancy
- PPS number and bank account
- Work or self-employment
Moving to Ireland guide
Every step from deregistering to the application, with checklists and the key addresses. Please note the guide is in German.
Is Ireland worth it for you?
Since 2021, discharge in Germany takes three years. For a lot of people that's the better option because they don't have to move. Ireland makes most sense if you want to live here anyway, or if your debts are high enough that two years make a real difference. If Ireland isn't right for you, we'll tell you.
| - | Germany | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Time until discharge | 3 years | usually 12 months |
| Language of the proceedings | German | English |
| Do you need to move? | no | yes, your centre of main interests must be in Ireland |
| Recognition in the other country | not needed | automatic under the EU Insolvency Regulation |
As of October 2026. Information on German law is general information and not legal advice.
Who bankruptcy in Ireland suits
Likely to suit you if
- you already live in Ireland, or you want to live and work here long term
- your debts are over €20,000, usually well over
- you can hold a conversation in English
- you are prepared to disclose every account, contract and asset
Probably not for you if
- you only want to come to Ireland for the bankruptcy and go straight back afterwards
- you want to keep assets that should go to your creditors
How the process works
First conversation
We look at your debts and your situation. Afterwards you know whether Ireland is an option for you and what it costs.
Building a life in Ireland
Home, work, PPS number, bank account. With our guide you take it step by step.
Application to the High Court
We prepare the application, affidavit and Statement of Affairs and file everything.
The bankruptcy
The Official Assignee takes over the management of your assets. You cooperate, answer questions and report any changes.
Discharge
Usually automatic after 12 months. With our documents you then have the bankruptcy recognised in Germany or Austria and old entries removed. We show you how.
What the court looks at for your centre of main interests
Bankruptcy in Ireland is only possible if Ireland is your centre of main interests. That is the term EU law uses, COMI for short. It means the place where you really live and work, and where your creditors can see that you do.
The court looks at things like where you live, where you work, where your bank account is, where you pay tax and where your family lives. A sublet room and an Irish address are not enough.
In October 2026 the High Court annulled the bankruptcy of a German applicant. Among other things, he had not disclosed a tenancy in Spain. The court expects you to disclose everything, including the things that don't help your case. That is why we go through every point with you before the application.
Read more: Understanding COMI in Ireland, Understanding bankruptcy in Ireland and our Bankruptcy & Insolvency page.
What bankruptcy in Ireland costs
Our work
We charge a fixed fee for the legal work. We tell you the amount at the first conversation, before you decide.
Court and proceedings
On top of that there are High Court fees for the application and a payment to the Official Assignee.
Your life in Ireland
Often the biggest cost is day to day living. You need rent and money to live on for the months before the application and for the year of the bankruptcy.
Work this out honestly before you start.
Does it count in Germany and Austria?
Yes. Under the EU Insolvency Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2015/848, Articles 19 and 20), every EU member state has to recognise an Irish bankruptcy. This happens automatically, without new proceedings in Germany or Austria.
German courts generally do not look again at whether Ireland really was your centre of main interests. The Higher Regional Court in Munich confirmed this in January 2025, for example. That makes it all the more important that the Irish bankruptcy itself is run properly.
After your discharge we give you the Irish documents. With a certified translation you can inform creditors, credit agencies such as Schufa and the courts.
Who you deal with
Anthony Joyce
Principal and Notary Public
Anthony Joyce founded the firm in Dublin in 2004. He handles bankruptcies for clients from Germany and Austria himself.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak English?
Yes, at least well enough to hold a conversation and understand questions from the court and the Official Assignee. The whole process is in English. Nobody at the firm speaks German.
Is bankruptcy in Ireland legal?
Yes. Every EU citizen can live in another EU country and can also go bankrupt there. The condition is that Ireland really is your centre of main interests and that you disclose everything to the court.
Isn't this bankruptcy tourism?
That's what critics call it. If you genuinely move to Ireland and live and work here, you are using a right you have as an EU citizen. If you only come for the bankruptcy or hold things back, you risk the court annulling the bankruptcy.
How long do I need to live in Ireland first?
There is no fixed period in the legislation. What matters is that Ireland is your centre of main interests when you apply, and that you can show it.
Can I go back to Germany afterwards?
If you already plan to go back as soon as the bankruptcy ends, Ireland is not really your centre of main interests. That can put the whole bankruptcy at risk. We talk about this openly at the first conversation.
Do I need someone to organise my move?
No. The steps are manageable: deregister, find a home, get a PPS number, start work or register as self-employed. Our guide shows you how to do them in the right order. We don't find homes for clients, so you don't pay a fee for that either.
Write to us
Tell us briefly about your situation. We'll get back to you by email or phone and tell you whether a conversation makes sense.
Anthony Joyce & Co. is a law firm in Ireland and advises on Irish law. We do not advise on German or Austrian law. This page is general information and does not replace advice on your individual case.