Company registration
in Europe

For a foreign entrepreneur, an EU jurisdiction solves several key tasks at once:

Access to the EU market
A company registered in one EU country can provide services and trade across other EU member states.

Transparency and credibility
EU registration increases trust among partners, investors, and clients—especially in e-commerce, IT, and fintech.

Tax planning
Some countries offer reduced corporate tax rates (from 9–10%), startup incentives, and simplified regimes for small businesses.

Access to banking and fintech services
With a European company, it’s easier to open a bank account or use modern payment systems.

Eligibility for temporary or permanent residence

In many EU countries, opening a business can be a basis for applying for a residence permit.

Asset and intellectual property protection
Company registration helps formalize ownership rights and reduce risks.

Each EU country has its own corporate law specifics, tax rules, and administrative procedures.

Slovakia

• Form: s.r.o. (LLC equivalent)
  
  

• Registration timeframe: up to 1 month
  
  

• Taxes: corporate tax from 10% for turnover up to €100,000
  
  

Key features:

• simple accounting and business administration
  
  

• potential eligibility for residence permit
  
  

• fast launch
  
  

• convenient location (Central Europe)
  
  

Czech Republic

• Form: s.r.o.
  
  

• Registration timeframe: 10–14 days
  
  

• Taxes: 19%
  
  

Key features:

• popular for IT and outsourcing
  
  

• stable banking regulations
  
  

Lithuania 

• Form: UAB
  
  

• Registration timeframe: 14–20 days
  
  

• Taxes: 15%, with incentives for small businesses
  
  

Key features:

• popular among fintech and crypto projects
  
  

• strong startup ecosystem
  
  

Cyprus

• Form: LTD
  
  

• Registration timeframe: 14–20 days
  
  

• Taxes: 12.5%
  
  

Key features:

• traditional jurisdiction for holding structures
  
  

• suitable for e-commerce and international trade
  
  

Estonia

• Form: OÜ
  
  

• Registration timeframe: 10–15 days
  
  

• Taxes: 20% (paid only when profits are distributed)
  
  

Key features:

• e-Residency program
  
  

• convenient for digital companies

Although procedures vary by country, the general process looks like this:

Choose the country and company type:

Consider taxes, maintenance costs, director requirements, and share capital rules.

Prepare the documents:

Founder’s and будущего director’s passport, charter documents, legal address, and sometimes a criminal record certificate and a business plan.

Submit to the commercial register:

After approval, the company receives a registration number.

Open a bank or fintech account:

Required to work with clients and counterparties.

Tax registration:

In some countries, you must obtain a VAT number for trading within the EU.

Set up accounting:

Accounting and reporting are strictly regulated in the EU.

The cost depends on the country, service package, and additional options.

• Basic registration: from €1,500
  
  

• With VAT registration: €4,700
  
  

• Additional services: account opening, office rental (not always required), accounting support
  
  

For reference:

• Slovakia: registration takes 2–3 weeks and costs around €1,500–€9,000
  
  

• Cyprus: from €3,000–€3,500
  
  

• Estonia: around €2,500

Director requirements

In some countries, you may need a local director/representative or an EU/OECD citizen.

VAT registration

Sometimes it’s more complex than company formation itself and can take 1–2 months.

Bank accounts

Banks have become stricter: they may request contracts with future counterparties in the account-opening country, proof of source of funds, and personal presence.

Language and paperwork

All documents are submitted in the local language—working without local partners and legal support can be difficult.

Company registration in Europe is a strategic tool for those who want to grow internationally.

The choice of country and legal form depends on your goals:

• tax optimization
  
  

• access to the EU market
  
  

• asset protection or obtaining a residence permit
  
  

The Corporate Legal Launch team supports clients at every stage:

• choosing the jurisdiction
  
  

• preparing documents
  
  

• account opening and ongoing accounting services