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Vending or self-service machines

Own machines placed in gyms, workplaces or clubs. You restock; the machine sells while you are elsewhere.

What you end up owning: machines placed in good locations.

Estimated range once steady

€60 – €400 a month

Check it fits me
Startup cost
€1,500–€3,000
First revenue
~1 month
Ongoing time
~8h a month
Scalability
Medium
Recurring
High
Difficulty
Medium
Competition
Medium
Risk
Medium

Setup ~25 hours · steady income after ~3 months · typical starting capital €3,000.

What to do next

  1. TodayList 10 places with steady foot traffic and no machine (gyms, workplaces, clubs).
  2. This weekAsk 3 of them what they would want stocked and what commission they expect.
  3. Week 2Agree a site in writing; register with the HSE if you sell food or drink.
  4. Week 3Buy one refurbished machine; install and stock it.
  5. Month 2Track sales per item weekly; only buy a second machine once the first covers its cost.

The assumptions behind that range

  • About 2 machines at roughly €1,500 each (used or refurbished).
  • Net €30–€200 a machine a month after stock and commission to the site owner — location is almost everything.

An estimate, not a promise. Your result can be lower, including zero.

What you need before you start

  • A written placement agreement with the site owner.
  • Food or drink: register with the HSE as a food business and follow FSAI guidance.

What can go wrong

  • A poor location sells almost nothing.
  • Vandalism, breakdowns and expiring stock.

Irish tax — general information

Declaring side income as a PAYE worker (2026). Side income is taxable from the first euro. If your net non-PAYE income is under €5,000 (and gross under €30,000) you can declare it on Form 12 through myAccount. At €5,000 net or more you are a “chargeable person” and must register for self-assessment and file Form 11 by 31 October. Source · checked 2026-09-25

Business expenses (2026). Costs incurred “wholly and exclusively” for the side business (tools, software, platform fees, a share of home costs) are deductible from the income before tax. Keep receipts for six years. Source · checked 2026-09-25

VAT registration thresholds (2026). You must register for VAT once turnover exceeds, or is likely to exceed, €42,500 a year for services or €85,000 for goods. Source · checked 2026-09-25

Not personal tax advice — your position depends on your other income. Check with Revenue or a tax adviser.

Sources

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