NACE codes for Irish companies
A NACE code is the EU’s standard label for a company’s main activity. Here is how to read one, how reliable it is on the Irish register, and how to use it to find companies in a sector.
How a NACE code is structured
NACE Rev. 2 has four levels. Each level narrows the one above it:
| Level | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Section | Letter | J – Information and communication |
| Division | 2 digits | 62 – Computer programming, consultancy and related activities |
| Group | 3 digits | 62.0 – Computer programming, consultancy and related activities |
| Class | 4 digits | 62.01 – Computer programming activities |
There are 21 sections, 88 divisions, 272 groups and 615 classes in NACE Rev. 2. Ireland’s national statistics use the same scheme, so a NACE class links a company to official data on its sector.
Where the code on a company record comes from
When a company is formed, the CRO asks for its principal activity to be classified using NACE, and companies with stated objects, such as DACs, must have main objects that correspond with it. The code describes the main activity the company declared, not everything it does.
Because it is chosen at registration, the code can drift from reality. A company formed as a consultancy may now mainly sell software, and a holding company may be classified by the activity of the group. The company’s own website or accounts are better evidence of what it does today.
Missing and older codes
Not every record has a current NACE code. In the register data (CRO open data, September 2026) about 73% of active companies have a NACE Rev. 2 code. Many older companies were classified under the earlier NACE Rev. 1 scheme and have no Rev. 2 code; they are still on the register, but they do not appear on industry pages.
The EU has also published NACE Rev. 2.1, a revision taking effect for statistics from 2025. Expect codes to shift in some sectors as registers and statistical bodies move to it.
The biggest sectors on CompanyCheck
Companies with a NACE code, by section:
- Wholesale and retail trade: about 57,000 companies.
- Professional, scientific and technical activities: about 48,000.
- Financial and insurance activities: about 40,000.
- Construction: about 33,000.
- Information and communication: about 32,000.
- Accommodation and food service: about 31,000.
Using NACE to find companies
- Start from all industries and pick a section.
- Move down through divisions, groups and classes until the category is narrow enough.
- To combine industry and place, open a county page and choose a sector within it.
- Check each company’s own description before treating it as a like-for-like competitor or supplier.
Common questions
What is a NACE code?
A code from the EU’s statistical classification of economic activities. It labels the main activity of a business, from a broad section (a letter) down to a four-digit class such as 62.01.
How do I find a company’s NACE code?
Open its profile on CompanyCheck. Where the register records a NACE Rev. 2 code, the profile shows it with links to the section, division, group and class.
Is a company’s NACE code always accurate?
Not always. The code reflects the principal activity recorded for the company, often at incorporation. What it does can change afterwards, so treat the code as a guide and check what the company says it does today.
Why does a company have no industry listed?
Many older records were classified under NACE Rev. 1 and have no Rev. 2 code, so they cannot be placed on the current industry pages.
Official sources
- CRO: Required steps to register a company (NACE classification)
- Eurostat: NACE Rev. 2 statistical classification
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. CompanyCheck is independent and not connected with the CRO. Fees and deadlines can change; check the official source before acting.