Our CFO, Stephen Tully, joined Paddy Delaney on the Informed Decisions podcast to talk about EIIS from the investor's side of the table, and the questions worth asking before you invest.
Paddy is an independent, fee-only financial planner, and at this time of year many of his clients start asking about EIIS. In the episode, he and Stephen work through how the scheme really works, from the different levels of tax relief to holding periods, costs and how gains are taxed on exit. It is an open, practical conversation, and well worth a listen if you are weighing up EIIS before the year-end deadline.
Six questions to ask before you invest
These are the questions covered in the episode. We think every investor should get clear answers to them, whoever they invest with.
QUESTION 1
How long is your money invested?
EIIS shares must be held for at least four years, and in practice it is often longer.
QUESTION 2
Where is your money held?
Know whether you are investing through a designated fund with an independent trustee, or directly.
QUESTION 3
What are the costs?
Ask for every cost in euros: on the way in, each year, and on exit.
QUESTION 4
How are advisors paid?
Find out how anyone recommending EIIS to you is paid for that recommendation.
QUESTION 5
How is risk managed?
Spreading your investment across several companies reduces the impact of any one failure.
QUESTION 6
How are gains taxed?
Relief comes on the way in, but gains on exit are subject to capital gains tax.
Ask the right questions. Invest with confidence.
Transparency matters to us. We publish our track record fund by fund, including the investments that did not work out, and we are always happy to answer these questions for the 2026 BVP EII Fund. You will find the answers on costs, structure and holding periods in our brochure, or you can talk them through with our team.
Paddy has also written up the conversation on his blog: EIIS in Ireland: 6 Questions to Ask Before You Invest.
The 2026 BVP EII Fund is now open
Our 20th fund offers at least 35% income tax relief, with no annual management charge. Investments made in 2026 count against your 2026 tax year, and the Fund closes on 31 December.
Capital at risk. EIIS investments are in unquoted, early-stage and growing companies and you may lose some or all of the amount invested. Investments are illiquid, with a minimum 4-year holding period. Tax relief depends on individual circumstances, is subject to Revenue rules and may change. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance. The podcast is for information only and does not constitute investment or tax advice. BVP Investments Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.