Dutch pilots, of whom there are many at both EZ & FR can deduct all training costs against income tax. Thus they are tax free for quite a few years. If it's normal on the Continent why not else where?
A question: how can you be self employed and pay PAYE? That seems a contradiction. If someone is paying you net, rostering you as and when they wish, controlling all you do and say, and how, then how on earth can you be 'self-employed'? I know this has been discussed before, but now this madatory Irish solicitor set-up has been constructed it makes it even more smelly. You are self employed, paid via a UK agency, but you MUST club together with an Irish solicitor to form an Irish company, pay Irish taxes while you are based in Italy or anywhere else, and never visit Ireland and have no income there. This sounds like the most shackled, inhibited, self-empolyment scenario I've ever heard of.