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Ask HN: Where to incorporate a European startup?

by kloncks on 10/28/17, 5:52 PM with 10 comments

Mostly concerned about tax and governance, ESPECIALLY if I choose to switch jurisdictions later.

Would appreciate any people's opinions and experience.

  • by fasteo on 10/28/17, 6:13 PM

    Estonia e-residence program[1] is worth looking

    [1]https://e-resident.gov.ee/

  • by BjoernKW on 10/29/17, 11:20 AM

    Depends on where you live and where you have to pay taxes at the moment. Usually, incorporating in a country that's not your country of residence isn't worth the trouble.

    For certain business models some countries make more sense than others. For instance, many franchises are based in the Netherlands because of low taxes on licence fees. However, I wouldn't worry about that in the beginning. Those potential future benefits are likely offset by the additional hassle of essentially having to run a company in two legal systems simultaneously.

  • by soloadventurer on 10/30/17, 5:19 AM

    If you are making incorporating decisions based on taxes, you should probably not incorporate. How will you address CFC rules in your home country?

  • by auganov on 10/29/17, 3:34 PM

    Should mostly consider who you'll be raising money from. Rasing American pre-A money with a European incorporation is going to be tough.

  • by stzup7 on 10/29/17, 10:28 AM

    Be careful with CFC rules. If you own more than 50% of the company you'll be liable to pay taxes in your country of residence.

  • by observation on 10/28/17, 7:18 PM

    Ireland with the UK as runner up.

  • by deanalevitt on 10/29/17, 3:21 PM

    A lot of people here in Israel incorporate in Cyprus.

  • by charlesdm on 10/28/17, 7:05 PM

    Where are you based now?