How to register a company in the EU as a foreigner

Registering a company in another EU country as a foreigner is more accessible than most founders expect — the freedom of establishment applies across the single market, and an EU directive on digital tools now obliges every member state to offer online formation. But the practical route varies enormously: some countries let you set up in an afternoon from your laptop, while others still require a notary and translated documents. This guide walks through the realistic options and the steps that actually matter.

The two big questions first: where and how

Before touching paperwork, settle two decisions. Which country you register in — driven by where your customers, tax residency, and operations sit, not by the lowest headline fee. And how you incorporate — remotely and online, or in person with a notary.

EU law is on your side for both. Under the EU's freedom of establishment, any EU or EEA national can set up a company in another member state on the same terms as a local. Non-EU founders can also form companies almost everywhere, though banking and residence permits get harder. And since Directive (EU) 2019/1151, every member state must allow the online formation of a limited liability company — in principle without ever appearing in person. Implementation quality still differs a lot in practice.

If you want the full context on picking a base and structuring the business, start with our pillar guide on how to start an online business in Europe.

Route 1: Fully remote — Estonia's e-Residency

Estonia is the benchmark for remote incorporation. Its e-Residency programme gives you a government-issued digital identity so you can run an EU company entirely online.

The process, in order:

• Apply for e-Residency — a €120 state fee, with a background check that typically takes 2–8 weeks. You then collect your digital ID card in person at a chosen Estonian embassy or pickup point.
• Register the company — log into the e-Business Register and set up an Osaühing (OÜ), the standard private limited company. In 2026 the online state fee is €265, and registration usually completes within 1–3 business days.
• Share capital — the legal minimum is €0.01, and it must be formally contributed.
• Local address and contact person — a non-resident company needs an Estonian legal address and a licensed contact person, both available as paid services from local providers.

One caveat for 2026: Estonian authorities have tightened checks on genuine economic activity and tax compliance. An OÜ is expected to reflect a real business, not just a flag of convenience. Remote formation is powerful, but it is not a way to sidestep substance requirements — we cover the trade-offs in detail in our companion piece on registering an EU company remotely.

Sources: e-Residency of Estonia; EUR-Lex Directive (EU) 2019/1151.

Route 2: Notary-based formation — Germany and much of the EU

Many EU countries still route company formation through a notary. Germany is the classic example. Forming a GmbH (private limited company) or the lighter UG (haftungsbeschränkt) requires a notarial deed — the notary drafts and certifies the articles of association and records the appointment of managing directors.

Key figures for Germany:

• GmbH minimum share capital: €25,000, of which at least €12,500 must be paid in at incorporation.
• UG minimum: €1, but the company must retain 25% of annual profits each year until it reaches €25,000, at which point it can convert to a full GmbH.
• Foreign nationals can found a GmbH or UG without a local co-founder or a prior residence permit.

The friction for foreigners is documentation: non-German documents such as passports and company certificates generally need certified translation and often an apostille or legalisation. Since 1 August 2022, Germany has allowed fully remote GmbH formation via the Federal Chamber of Notaries' video identification platform — so even the notary step no longer strictly requires flying in.

Sources: Germany Trade & Invest; German Federal Chamber of Notaries (online notarisation, in force 1 Aug 2022).

Directors, shareholders and a registered address

Three practical elements recur in every jurisdiction:

• Directors and shareholders — most EU LLCs allow a single person to be both. Non-resident directors are widely accepted, though a handful of countries prefer or require at least one EU-resident director, so check locally.
• Registered address — every company needs an official address in its country of registration. If you don't have premises there, a registered-office or virtual-address service is the standard solution.
• Identity and source-of-funds — anti-money-laundering rules mean you'll verify your identity and, increasingly, explain the origin of your capital.

Banking and VAT — where founders get stuck

Incorporation is usually the easy part; opening a business bank account is the real bottleneck, especially for non-EU founders. Traditional banks often want an in-person meeting and proof of local substance. EU e-money institutions and fintech accounts are frequently faster to open remotely and are widely used by newly formed companies, though they don't suit every situation.

On VAT: you register for VAT in the country where you're liable, and thresholds differ by country — there is no single EU-wide figure. If you sell across borders, an EU SME scheme and the One-Stop-Shop can simplify things, but the rate you charge depends on where your customer is. When you need to price a product or check a gross/net figure, our EU VAT calculator does the maths for each member state's rate.

A realistic checklist

1. Choose the country based on customers, tax residency and substance — not just fees.
2. Decide remote (Estonia e-Residency, or remote notary elsewhere) vs. in-person.
3. Prepare identity documents, and budget for translation/apostille where required.
4. Secure a registered address and any required local contact person.
5. Incorporate and obtain your registration number.
6. Open a bank or e-money account.
7. Register for VAT if and where you're liable.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice — rules vary by country and change; confirm with a qualified professional before acting.

Once the company exists, it needs to sell

A registration number doesn't win customers — your website does. Getting the company set up is step one; a fast, credible site that converts visitors is what turns it into revenue. See our web development work to see how we build sites for European SMBs, and if you'd like a hand mapping the right setup for your market, book a free consultation and we'll talk it through.