Corporate Law · European Union
Selling Your Business in Europe Without Leaving Money or Risk on the Table
A business sale is a single, irreversible event — and the terms you agree now decide how much you keep, what you remain liable for, and whether you face claims after you hand over the keys. We match you, free of charge, with a corporate lawyer who advises sellers on company sales in your European country every day.
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- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
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Who this is for
After years of building it, the way you exit determines what you actually walk away with
Selling a business you have spent years building is often the largest single financial decision of your working life — yet most owners enter it with less preparation than they gave their first supplier contract. A sale involves more than finding a buyer and agreeing a price. You will need to decide between a share sale and an asset sale, negotiate warranties that can expose you to claims for years afterwards, manage employees who transfer with the business, and structure the deal and any deferred payment so that you are actually paid and not left fighting for earn-outs. Tax treatment, pension obligations and personal guarantees all complicate the picture, and the rules differ from one European country to the next. We match you, free of charge, with a corporate lawyer who advises sellers in your country every day.
Why sellers get stuck
The danger in a sale is rarely the buyer you can see.
It is the liability you keep after the money changes hands.
Sellers often sign away more than they realise — warranties, indemnities and deferred payments can all come back to bite them.
Warranties that expose you for years
Buyers routinely ask for extensive warranties and indemnities. If any statement about your business proves inaccurate, you can face a claim long after completion — so the scope and limits you agree are just as important as the price.
Deferred and conditional payments
Earn-outs, retention amounts and staged payments are common, but their terms decide whether you are ever fully paid. Without careful drafting, a buyer can withhold money on disputed grounds or structure the deal so targets are almost impossible to meet.
Employees and contracts you leave behind
Staff transfer rules, personal guarantees, and outstanding supplier or lease obligations can follow you personally after the sale. If these are not addressed in the agreement, you may remain on the hook for liabilities you thought you had sold.
What you get
A business sale lawyer who protects what you have built
We only match you with corporate lawyers who regularly advise owners on selling their business in your country.
Preparation for sale
Your lawyer helps you get the business sale-ready — reviewing ownership, contracts, accounts and compliance — so the buyer finds fewer surprises to use against you in negotiation.
Structure and valuation support
Get clear advice on share versus asset sale, deal structure and tax implications, so you understand what each option means for your net proceeds before you commit.
Negotiation and drafting
The sale agreement, warranties and indemnities are drafted and negotiated to limit your exposure, with sensible caps and time limits on any claims a buyer might bring.
Protection of deferred payments
Earn-outs, staged payments and security for the price are structured so that you are actually paid what you are owed, with clear mechanisms if the buyer fails to perform.
Coverage
Business sale lawyers across Europe
Tax, employment and company law rules are set nationally, so the right lawyer is one who works with your country’s sale framework and practices on a regular basis. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Business sales — common questions
Should I sell shares or assets?
It depends on your tax position, the buyer’s needs and the nature of the business. A share sale transfers the whole company, while an asset sale sells selected assets and may leave certain liabilities with you. Your lawyer will advise which structure is better for your specific situation.
What warranties will I have to give as a seller?
Buyers typically ask for warranties — statements about your accounts, contracts, tax and assets — backed by a right to claim if they prove false. The scope can often be negotiated, with caps and time limits, and your lawyer will work to keep your exposure as narrow as possible.
How do earn-outs and deferred payments work?
An earn-out ties part of the price to the business’s future performance, while deferred payments stagger the price over time. Both need careful drafting so the targets are fair, the payment is secure, and you have recourse if the buyer does not pay. Your lawyer will structure these to protect you.
Will I remain liable after the sale?
Potentially yes — through warranties, indemnities, personal guarantees or obligations that do not transfer with the company. A well-drafted agreement limits how long and how much you can be pursued for, which is why the exit paperwork matters as much as the price.
How long does selling a business typically take?
It varies widely by size, structure and the parties involved, typically from a few weeks for a small straightforward sale to several months where due diligence, financing or regulatory steps are needed. Your lawyer can give a realistic timeline for your deal.
Do my employees transfer to the buyer?
In many European countries, employees transfer automatically with the business under rules that protect their terms and conditions, and you may have obligations to inform and consult. Your lawyer will explain what applies in your country and make sure the agreement handles staff correctly.
Free case review
Sell on your terms, not the buyer’s
Tell us about your business and your exit plans and we’ll connect you with a corporate lawyer who advises sellers in your country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.