London vs. Dublin: Which Tech Hub Is Right for Your Business?

Many international tech companies end up choosing between London and Dublin. Both are English-speaking, well connected and full of tech talent. But they offer very different advantages, especially since Brexit. This comparison will help you decide which suits your business.

Why is Dublin a tech hub?

Dublin’s rise is a deliberate success story. Several factors came together:

• Low corporation tax. Ireland’s 12.5% rate attracted multinational tech firms for decades. Since 2024, large multinationals pay a 15% minimum under the OECD global agreement, but Ireland remains competitive.
• EU membership. Dublin gives companies a base inside the European single market.
• English language. For US companies, Ireland is the easiest EU country in which to operate.
• Young, educated workforce, boosted by international hiring.

As a result, Google, Meta, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Salesforce and many others run their European headquarters from Dublin. Stripe, founded by Irish brothers, has major operations there. The Docklands area is often called Silicon Docks.

London’s strengths

London is a much larger city with a far bigger tech ecosystem. Its key advantages include:

• Scale: more startups, unicorns and tech workers than any other European city.
• Venture capital: Europe’s deepest funding market. See our analysis of whether London is a tech city.
• Sector depth: a global leader in fintech and a top AI hub.
• Customers: a huge local market, plus global banks, insurers and corporates.

Head-to-head comparison

Which should you choose?

Choose Dublin if…

• You need an EU legal entity to serve European customers or hold EU licences.
• You’re a large multinational setting up a regional headquarters.
• Tax efficiency is a major part of your planning.

Choose London if…

• You’re a startup that needs access to venture capital and experienced founders.
• You’re in fintech, AI, legal tech or another sector where London leads.
• You need a large, varied talent pool. Our London tech jobs guide describes it.

Or choose both

Many companies do. A common pattern is a London base for product, engineering and fundraising, plus a Dublin entity for EU sales and regulation. This is especially common in fintech, where firms need EU licences after losing passporting rights.

Talent and hiring

London’s talent pool is much larger, with more specialist skills in areas such as AI research, quantitative finance and product design. Dublin’s workforce is highly skilled but smaller, and big tech employers compete hard for the same people. Both cities rely on international hiring. Post-Brexit, EU citizens can work in Ireland without a visa, while UK employers usually need to sponsor them. That makes Dublin simpler for hiring from across Europe and London stronger for depth and seniority.

Funding and exits

Irish startups can raise money in Dublin, but larger rounds often involve London or US investors. London remains the place where most European growth rounds are led. For founders, being close to investors still matters, which is why many Irish founders spend a lot of time in London.

Housing and living costs

Both cities have serious housing shortages and high rents. Dublin’s housing crunch has become a major issue for employers trying to attract staff. London offers more variety, with cheaper areas on good transport links, but city-centre costs are among the highest in Europe.

The verdict

Dublin is the stronger choice for EU access and tax. London is the stronger choice for scale, funding and specialist expertise. For many growing companies, the answer is not either-or but a mix of both.

Compare London with other cities in our guides to New York and UK tech hubs, or explore more on the London Tech Hub homepage.