The Best EU Country for a Holding in 2026: The Full Ranking
For entrepreneurs, the Netherlands is the best EU country for a holding company in 2026. For investment funds, Luxembourg is the better choice. The…
Corporate Tax Rates Across Europe in 2026: Country Table
Corporate tax rates in Europe differ widely in 2026. For founders, the lower rates on small profits are often more important than the headline rate.…
Participation Exemption Across Europe: The Country Comparison
The participation exemption differs a lot across Europe. The Netherlands exempts dividends and capital gains in full from a stake of 5%. Other count…
Withholding Tax on Dividends, Interest and Royalties: The EU Map
The Netherlands levies 15% withholding tax on dividends and 0% on interest and royalties. Each country has its own domestic rate, and tax treaties l…
Substance Rules Compared: What Each Country Really Expects
Every tax authority now checks whether a company is really active where it is registered. The details differ per country, such as minimum salaries,…
Incorporation Speed Compared: From Decision to Registered Company
The time from decision to registered company differs a lot per country. In Tallinn, it takes days. In Amsterdam, you usually have your company withi…
Business-Banking Friendliness for Foreign Owners: Country by Country
For a foreign owner, the business bank account is often harder to get than the company. Every country registers companies, but far fewer banks accep…
Startup and Founder Visas Across Europe: The 2026 Comparison
In 2026, the Netherlands, France, Estonia, Spain and Portugal all offer a residence option for founders. The offers differ in the details, such as t…
Expat Tax Regimes Compared: The Dutch Expat Ruling Next to Spain, Italy and Cyprus
Several European countries offer a lower tax rate or a tax exemption to people who relocate there for work. Some use a flat rate, others exempt a pe…
IP-Box Regimes Compared: The Dutch 9% Innovation Box in Context
In 2026, qualifying profit in the Dutch innovation box is taxed at 9%, which compares well with other European IP boxes. Every IP box now uses the s…
VC-Friendly Jurisdictions in Europe: Where Investors Say Yes Faster
How fast you can raise money depends partly on the country of your company. Investors sign faster when they know the company form, the share rules a…
Crypto Rules Across the EU: Licensing and Tax
Under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), the EU has one set of rules for crypto businesses. With a licence from one member state, you c…
Formation Costs Compared: Notary, Capital and Yearly Upkeep
The cost of a company has three parts: the fees at the start, the capital you must set aside and the yearly running costs. Over ten years, the runni…
Minimum Capital Across Europe: From One Cent Upwards
In 2026, the minimum share capital in Europe ranges from one cent for a Dutch BV to €25,000 for a German GmbH. In the past, minimum capital was a si…
Director Duties and Liability: The European Overview
In every European country, a director must act properly, watch the solvency of the company and file on time. The countries differ in how strictly th…
Employee-Participation Regimes Compared: Options, Certificates, Shares
European countries now offer different ways to give employees a share in the company. The UK and France have special option schemes. Germany reforme…
Dividend Withholding Across Europe: EU Rates and Treaty Caps
When a dividend is paid from one European country to another, one of three rates applies. It is the 0% rate under the EU directive, the maximum rate…
The Relocation Tax Timeline: Plan Your Relocation Month by Month
When you relocate to another country, the order of the tax steps is important. The same steps cost much less when you take them in the right order.…
Family-Office Hubs in Europe: the Shortlist
Most family offices in Europe are based in five places: Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Monaco and the Netherlands. Each location has real a…
Private Foundations Compared: The Dutch Stichting Next to Its Peers
European families mostly use one of three types of foundation: the Austrian Privatstiftung, the Liechtenstein Stiftung and the Dutch stichting. They…
Family Asset Structures in Civil-Law Europe: Certification Done the Dutch Way (STAK)
Common-law families often ask for an Anglo-American family fund. Civil-law Europe answers with something that works better: the certification founda…
Wealth Levies Across Europe: How Box 3 Compares
European countries tax wealth in four ways. Some tax a deemed return, some have a true wealth tax, and some tax only real estate. Most countries lea…
EU Market Access Ranked: Ports, Digital, Talent and Law
To enter the EU market, you choose a country. Countries differ on four points: logistics, digital infrastructure, the people you can hire and contra…
The Headquarters Scorecard: 12 Factors, 15 Countries, One Winner Per Profile
The best country for your headquarters depends on the type of company. Fifteen countries are scored on twelve factors, with one winner for each comp…
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