When choosing a jurisdiction for a company in Europe, you should understand that the European Union (EU) does not equal Europe. There are some countries and exclusive jurisdictions that are geographically positioned in Europe but are not part of the EU, either fully or partially, for example, Norway, Switzerland, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar and Liechtenstein. Some of these territories offer a low-tax regime, which may be useful for tax planning purposes. The governments of these European countries take attracting foreign investment very seriously, and will continue to invest in this area and work to increase the amount of assets invested within their borders. As well as their rapidly growing financial services and company formation industries, some of these countries are perfect destinations to visit and spend some free time in during a vacation.

Our professional lawyers and accountants will provide detailed advice on each of these jurisdictions, their tax systems and their company formation procedures. We can create a unique solution just for you, in order to help you develop a long-term tax planning programme and a corporate structure that helps you reach your personal goals.

Understanding European companies
These jurisdictions are not part of the European Union (some are partial members), so there are some regulatory differences in requirements and standards. Most of these territories do have complex legal systems; however, there are numerous corporate support services available, as they are very popular with investors and entrepreneurs seeking a low-tax regime. All of this contributes to a friendly and enjoyable environment in which to do business.

However, do keep in mind that some of these jurisdictions are not fully entitled members of the EU, so if you are looking for easy access to the common internal European market, you would be advised to consult with our team first. Usually, companies are incorporated in these jurisdictions for the following purposes:

To establish business and act as a trading company
To achieve a particular corporate structure and serve as a holding company
To hold property or other assets
To own or operate ships
To act as an investment company
Benefits of establishing a European company
Depending on the jurisdiction, establishing and operating a European company may provide some of the following benefits:

Business-friendly tax authorities
Understandable, predictable and transparent taxation system
Opportunity to incorporate and maintain your business remotely
Low-tax regime
Perfect environment for operating a holding company
Countless tax and corporate planning solutions