--- canonical: "https://euincnow.com/eu-inc-company" dateModified: "2026-10-11" --- # EU Inc Company: How to Prepare for Registration An EU Inc company would use a harmonised legal form in an EU member state. Registration is not open and no launch date is confirmed. If you need a company now, assess an existing national form such as an Estonian OÜ. A later conversion would depend on the final EU Inc rules. ## What an EU Inc company is - An **EU Inc company** would be a business incorporated under the 28th Regime, the proposed EU-wide company form. It would be registered in a member state under harmonised rules, with national law still filling gaps. Recognition across the EU would not remove local tax, licensing or employment obligations. - The March proposal includes a conditional 48-hour, maximum €100 fast track, no minimum capital and an optional EU-wide employee stock option (EU-ESO) scheme. These terms remain under negotiation. The catch is timing: it is a proposal, not a product you can buy yet. ## How EU Inc registration is expected to work - The draft regulation points to a digital-first process built to remove the friction founders hit today: * **Online application** through a single portal, with no in-person notary trips. * **Standardised articles of association**, so you are not drafting bespoke documents for each country. * **No minimum capital**, so you can incorporate without parking thousands of euros. * **An EU-wide identity** that banks, investors and registries across member states recognise. * **Identity verified once via eIDAS**, with a "once-only" data principle so you do not resubmit the same information to different authorities. * **An EU Company Certificate and digital power of attorney** (compatible with the European Business Wallet) to prove the company across borders. * **A proposed optional EU-ESO framework** for granting equity to employees in different countries under one structure. - The exact steps will be locked once the European Parliament and the Council agree the final text. For the proposed registration process, costs and requirements in more depth, see EU Inc registration. We will document the real, screen-by-screen process the day it opens, and post it to EU Inc news. - Reality check - You cannot register an EU Inc company yet. - Registration is not open and its opening date is not confirmed. If you need an EU company now, the rest of this guide covers what actually works today, and we can set it up for you. - The proposal requires at least one EU-resident director. Read the distinction between non-EU ownership and director residence. ## Who should consider an EU Inc company - **Startups raising across borders**, who want one entity investors in any member state can underwrite. - **Remote-first founders** with a team spread across several EU countries. - **Non-EU founders** selling into the EU who want a credible European base without 27 separate incorporations. - **Solo founders and small teams** who want EU-wide standing without the cost of a large corporate structure. * Building from outside the EU, or weighing a US setup? See EU Inc for non-EU residents and EU Inc vs US LLC. ## What you can register today instead - Because EU Inc is not live, founders who need an entity now use the closest existing options. The standout is an **Estonian company via e-Residency**, the nearest thing to EU Inc that actually exists: * **Estonia (OÜ)**: online registration once the required digital IDs and documents are ready. Obtaining an e-Residency card is a separate process. * **Ireland (LTD)**: English-speaking and well understood by investors. * **Poland (Sp. z o.o.)**: low cost, growing tech base. * **Portugal (Lda), Lithuania (UAB), Germany (GmbH)**: each with its own strengths on residency, fintech or market access. - We compare setup time, company type, cost and tax side by side so you can choose with confidence. Compare jurisdictions to find your best fit. - Compare EU Inc and an Estonian OÜ before deciding whether to wait. ## How to set up today so you are ready for EU Inc - Good records help you assess future options. They do not guarantee conversion to EU Inc: * **Keep your structure simple**: document ownership, contracts and liabilities so advisers can assess a future conversion. * **Choose an EU jurisdiction**: choose a structure that meets current business needs. Future conversion would depend on eligibility and the final law. * **Keep good digital records**: standardised, online-first bookkeeping matches the way EU Inc is built. * **Use EU-friendly banking**, and check whether any later change of legal form needs fresh provider approval. ## Converting an existing company to EU Inc - A common question: if you form an Estonian OÜ now, can you switch it to EU Inc later? The Commission proposal includes conversion provisions, because a major goal is letting existing companies adopt the regime rather than starting over. The final mechanics depend on the agreed text. - We will publish the exact conversion route as soon as it is confirmed. To follow it, keep an eye on the EU Inc timeline and EU Inc news, or get your plan now and we will flag the moment it matters for you. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I register an EU Inc company now? - No. EU Inc is not law yet. The European Commission published the draft 28th Regime regulation on 18 March 2026, and registration has no confirmed opening date. Until then, founders use an existing EU company such as an Estonian OÜ. ### How much will an EU Inc company cost to register? - The proposed qualifying fast track uses a 48-hour target and a maximum €100 registration cost. Other formation routes have different rules. The final text, provider fees and ongoing costs still need to be considered. ### What can I use instead of EU Inc today? - An Estonian OÜ is one option for online formation once supported digital IDs and documents are ready. The digital ID application and collection process takes additional time. Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Lithuania and Germany are common alternatives depending on your goals. ### Can a non-EU resident own an EU Inc company? - The proposal allows non-EU founders, but Article 42(2) requires at least one EU-resident director. Ownership and director residence are separate conditions. EU Inc is not available yet and the final rules remain under negotiation. ### Will I be able to convert my current company to EU Inc? - The Commission proposal includes conversion provisions so existing companies can adopt the regime, but the exact mechanics depend on the final agreed text. We will publish the route as soon as it is confirmed.