Corporate & Business Law · European Union
Form a Company in Europe as a Foreigner, With Local Expertise
Setting up a company in a country where you are not a resident adds visa, director, bank account and tax layers on top of ordinary formation. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted lawyer who forms companies for foreign founders in your target country every day.
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Who this is for
Foreign founders face every formation hurdle, plus a few of their own
Forming a company as a foreigner means navigating everything a local founder faces — structure, founding documents, registration — plus the extra layers that come with not being resident: visa and residence rules for directors, opening a business bank account without a local address, obtaining a tax or identification number, and proving the source of your capital. Whether you are an EU national setting up in another member state or a non-EU entrepreneur entering the European market, each country applies its own rules on who may serve as a director, where the company must be based and what immigration status you need to run it. Misjudging any of these can stall your launch or even expose you personally. A lawyer who regularly forms companies for foreign founders can map the full route, coordinate the immigration and corporate steps together, and keep the process moving without surprises.
Why foreign founders get stuck
The corporate side is only half the problem.
The rest is residence, banking and tax.
As a non-resident, opening accounts, obtaining numbers and meeting director rules add hurdles a local founder never faces.
Director & residence requirements
Some countries require a local director or a residence permit before you can run the company. These rules vary widely, and getting them wrong can block the whole incorporation.
Opening a business bank account
Banks are often reluctant to open accounts for non-resident founders without a local address or proof of activity. This is a common bottleneck that a local lawyer can help you prepare for and overcome.
Tax and ID numbers abroad
Obtaining tax, VAT and social-security numbers as a foreigner involves extra verification steps and documents. Delays here can postpone trading and payroll for many months.
What you get
A lawyer who forms companies for foreign founders
We only match you with lawyers experienced in setting up companies for non-resident and foreign founders in your target country.
Full route mapped
Your lawyer lays out the complete path — structure, incorporation, director and residence rules, banking and tax numbers — so you see every requirement and its timing before you commit.
Immigration & corporate coordination
Where a residence permit or visa is needed for a director, your lawyer coordinates the corporate and immigration steps together, avoiding the mismatches that stall foreign founders.
Bank account & ID support
Your lawyer prepares the documentation banks and tax authorities expect from non-residents, improving your chances of opening an account and obtaining numbers without repeated rejections.
Compliance across borders
From cross-border reporting to director duties and payroll, your lawyer ensures the new company meets all of its local obligations while you remain based abroad.
Coverage
Company formation for foreigners across Europe
Rules for foreign founders are set nationally, so the right lawyer is one who practises in the country where you want to incorporate. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Company formation for foreigners — common questions
Can a foreigner own and form a company in Europe?
In most European countries, yes — foreigners, including non-EU nationals, can generally own and form a company. However, director, residence, banking and reporting requirements differ by country, so a lawyer will confirm exactly what applies to your nationality and situation.
Do I need to live in the country to run my company?
Not necessarily. Some countries allow foreign or non-resident directors, while others require a local director or representative. Whether you also need a residence permit depends on your nationality and how actively you plan to be involved — a lawyer will clarify your options.
Can I open a business bank account as a non-resident?
It is often possible but can be more difficult without a local address or proof of activity. Banks apply their own due-diligence rules, and preparing the right documentation in advance — with local advice — materially improves your chances of approval.
Will forming a company give me a residence permit?
In some European countries, running a company can support an application for a residence or entrepreneur permit, but the rules and financial thresholds vary. A lawyer can advise whether this route is realistic for you and coordinate the corporate and immigration steps.
What tax obligations will my company have?
Your company will typically be subject to corporate tax and may need VAT registration, plus payroll and social-security duties if it hires staff. Cross-border tax questions also arise if you remain resident elsewhere — a lawyer will outline the obligations before you incorporate.
How long does formation take for a foreign founder?
Timelines vary by country, but the extra steps for non-residents — obtaining tax numbers, opening a bank account and any director or visa requirements — can add weeks or months. A lawyer experienced with foreign founders can often sequence these steps to minimise the delay.
Free case review
Set up your European company without the non-resident headaches
Tell us where you want to incorporate and your situation, and we’ll connect you with a lawyer who forms companies for foreign founders there daily — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.