Corporate Law · European Union
Buying a Business in Europe With the Right Lawyer By Your Side
Acquiring an established company transfers every existing contract, employee and liability onto you — not just the assets you paid for. We match you, free of charge, with a corporate lawyer who advises buyers on acquisitions in your target European country every day, from the letter of intent through due diligence and completion.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
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Who this is for
Buying an established business means taking on its past as well as its future
Acquiring an established business is often a faster route into the European market than starting from nothing — but it also transfers every existing obligation, contract and liability onto you. Whether you are buying a family firm, a competitor, a franchise operation or the assets of a struggling company, the deal is rarely just a price and a handshake. It involves a letter of intent, financial and legal due diligence, employment and tax considerations, regulatory approvals, and a share or asset purchase agreement whose wording decides what you are actually responsible for after completion. Because the rules differ from country to country, a locally experienced lawyer is the difference between a clean transfer and a transaction that keeps costing you after the deal closes. We match you, free of charge, with a corporate lawyer who advises buyers on acquisitions in your target country every day.
Why buyers get stuck
Acquisitions rarely unravel over the price.
They unravel over what was hidden in the paperwork.
Every seller knows more than you do — and the purchase agreement decides which of you pays for what you did not know.
Liabilities you did not see
Unpaid taxes, unresolved disputes, pension obligations and pending claims can all transfer to you with the business. Without proper due diligence and clear warranties, you may inherit problems the seller knew about but never mentioned.
An agreement that protects the seller
A poorly drafted share purchase agreement can leave you exposed to claims, restrict your plans for the company, or make it hard to recover damages when a warranty turns out to be false. The wording matters as much as the price.
Regulatory and tax surprises
Some acquisitions need competition clearance or sector-specific approvals, and the tax treatment of a share deal versus an asset deal can differ sharply. A structure that looked simple at signing can create costs you never budgeted for.
What you get
A business acquisition lawyer who protects your side of the deal
We only match you with corporate lawyers who regularly advise buyers on acquisitions in your target country.
Deal structuring
Your lawyer advises on share versus asset purchase, holding structures and financing so the transaction is built to suit your commercial goals and tax position — not copied from a generic template.
Due diligence support
Get a thorough review of the target’s contracts, debts, employment, property and regulatory status, with every risk flagged before you commit money rather than discovered afterwards.
Negotiation of the agreement
Warranties, indemnities, price adjustments and completion conditions are drafted and negotiated firmly to protect you, with clear, enforceable remedies if any of the seller’s representations later prove to be inaccurate.
Post-completion compliance
Filings, registrations, employee transfers and licence applications are handled correctly, so the business you have bought continues to operate lawfully and without interruption from the very first day after completion.
Coverage
Business acquisition lawyers across Europe
Company law, tax and employment rules are set nationally, not by the EU as a whole, so the right lawyer is one who works with your target country’s corporate and commercial framework on a regular basis. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Business acquisitions — common questions
What is the difference between a share purchase and an asset purchase?
In a share purchase you buy the company itself, taking on all its assets and liabilities together. In an asset purchase you buy selected assets, often leaving liabilities behind. Which structure suits you depends on tax, risk and the nature of the business — your lawyer will advise which fits your case.
What is a letter of intent and do I need one?
A letter of intent sets out the main agreed terms before full contracts are drafted, and may include exclusivity and confidentiality provisions. It is usually non-binding on the deal itself, but the way it is worded can create obligations, so it should be reviewed by a lawyer before signing.
How long does a business acquisition typically take?
It varies by the size and complexity of the target and the countries involved, typically from a few weeks for a small asset deal to several months where due diligence, financing or regulatory approval is needed. A lawyer can give a realistic timeline for your specific deal.
What is due diligence and why does it matter?
Due diligence is the process of investigating the target’s contracts, finances, debts, employees and legal compliance before you commit. It reveals risks and liabilities that affect the price or the decision to proceed, and it informs the warranties and indemnities you ask the seller to give.
Do I need regulatory approval to acquire a business?
It depends on the sector and the size of the parties. Some transactions require competition clearance or sector-specific approval, while others do not. Your lawyer will identify whether any notification or consent is required in your case before you sign.
What warranties should I ask the seller to give?
Warranties are contractual statements about the business — its accounts, contracts, tax position and assets. If one proves false, you may claim compensation. The appropriate set depends on the target and the negotiation, and your lawyer will tailor them to the risks found in due diligence.
Free case review
Know what you are really buying before you sign
Tell us about the business you are looking to acquire and we’ll connect you with a corporate lawyer who handles acquisitions in that country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.