First Time Contracting abroad (Dublin)

**alreadypacked** · 22 July 2009, 11:52

Originally posted by ultrafox View Post

Hi,

I suppose you get many of these posts, so here's another one. (lots of dumb questions)

My position is I live in Luxembourg, and I'm looking for contract work (first time). I think I may have a contract in Dublin, and so the questions are starting to arise in my head.

I want to remain a resident of Lux (as my family are settled here -10 years now).

Should I go for an umbrella company/ Ltd company / Freelance...and in Lux or Dub? (Ltd companies in Lux cost 12K to set up

)
Social Security - should this be paid to Lux or Ireland if I work in Dublin? I would like to keep my Lux state pension alive. (maybe via top up contributions?).

Any other advice?
Thanks!

I have contracted in Dublin, it depends on the agent and the client. Some clients insist on Irish company or Irish umbrella.

Lucky for me the agent or client didn't care so I used my existing company.
You need to check, you may not have a choice.

Also you didn't say how long the contract is for, less than 6 months you don't have to think about Social Security etc.

**ultrafox** · 23 July 2009, 09:53

Many thanks for your reply AP.

The contract is for 6 months and I now understand that they will only use an Irish registered company.

Another question (before I sign a contract I have never seen before) is what's the story about early termination of contracts? (in case that great job I've been waiting for turns up in Lux).

I know one can call a bluff and walk out and see whether they will bother sueing. But can notice periods be added to the contract (and is this normal)? I'm sure the umbrella company will want to avoid this.

Any advice on this?

Cheers

**chef** · 23 July 2009, 10:34

yes notice periods can be put into contracts, although how useful they are as from my experience they usually go something like

Pimp: Chef, they're cutting the budget for xyz project and we havent been paid so we're pulling all contractors out of global corp..
Chef: so i'll take it your giving me my xx days notice?
Pimp: yes, although we dont have any work right now for you but dont worry im sure something will turn up
Chef: fine i'll bill you for the notice period
Pimp: if you read in your contract it says you only get paid for days worked, unfortunately we have no work for you right now
chef: im still going to bill you
pimp: try it, but we wont pay unless days have been worked and a client has signed the timesheet
chef: i'll see you in court
pimp: <laughing> ok sonny boy, you do that if you think court costs and legal fees are going to be worth spending the money on
chef:

First Time Contracting abroad (Dublin)