Dublin, the capital city of Ireland, is one of the best cities in Europe for tech, alongside the likes of Paris and London. The Irish city has been growing its tech presence since the 1950’s, when IBM first opened its offices. This was followed by HP in the 70s and Microsoft, Dell and Intel in the 80s.
Fast forward to today, Dublin is home to some of the largest tech companies in the world, such as Google, Meta and LinkedIn. It even has an area named ‘Silicon Docks’ due to the high proportion of tech companies located there, creating a robust tech ecosystem in the city.
Why Is Dublin a Popular Tech City?
Location
Dublin is located on the East Coast of Ireland, making it a convenient location for connectivity to the UK and mainland Europe.
Tech Talent
There is a high calibre of tech professionals available in Dublin. Universities such as Trinity College and the Dublin Institute of Technology are supplying graduates with knowledge in the latest cutting-edge technology, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and IoT. Dublin can also easily avail of the talented workforce in Europe, with tech professionals being able to move freely to Ireland, without the need for a visa.
Low Corporation Tax
Many businesses choose their EMEA headquarters in Ireland, particularly in Dublin because of the country’s low corporate tax rate. Currently Ireland’s corporate tax rate sits at 12.5 percent, considerably lower than their European neighbours (France 28 percent, Spain 25 percent & Germany 15 percent).
Start-up Ecosystem
Dublin is a thriving hotspot for tech start-ups and was recently ranked the sixth-best European city for start-up businesses, according to The Knowledge Academy. Dublin excelled in areas such as the availability of office space, access to public transport and the number of top universities in the city. However, it did fall in the rankings due to rent prices, having the third-highest prices, just behind London and Geneva.
Support & Incentives
There is an extensive range of support and incentives available to companies who choose to set up in Dublin. This includes support from the government, venture capital firms and investors. For example, the IDA helps overseas companies establish or expand their operations in Dublin. Similarly, Enterprise Ireland is responsible for funding and supporting high potential international startups.
Brexit
Brexit had a positive impact for Dublin, with the city being the leading beneficiary for Brexit relocations, obtaining one-quarter of all Brexit-related moves (according to a report from New Financial). The main reason for choosing Dublin is the Common Travel Area arrangement, meaning that British citizens are entitled to live and work freely in Ireland with no restrictions.
If you are a tech professional who is looking for your next job in the tech hub of Ireland, our team of dedicated, specialist recruitment consultants can help you! Give our office a call on +353 1 571 3000 or check out the jobs we currently have available.
Written by Michelle Corry