Starting a business

UK decision to invoke Article 50 of the TEU: More information

To start a new company or expand your business in another EU country (In this case, the 28 EU member states + Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) you need to know the rules that apply and the relevant national contact point to set up a company in that specific country.

Find the right place to start-up in different EU countries:

What can you do?

As an EU citizen you are entitled to:

• set up your own business (even as a sole trader) in any EU country, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein
• set up a subsidiary branch of an existing EU-based business that is already registered in one EU country

Requirements

The requirements vary depending on the country. However, the EU encourages all countries to meet certain targets for helping to set up new companies, including:

• setting up in no more than 3 working days
• costing less than EUR 100
• completing all procedures through a single administrative body
• completing all registration formalities online
• registering a company in another EU country online (through the national contact points)

Funding and support

There are different EU funds available for startup businesses. To find out which one meets your needs, you can visit the Startup Europe Club and search for funding opportunities.

You can also use the Startup Europe Partnership platform to get help with expanding and developing your business. 

If you're looking to increase the visibility of your business project, you can register your project on the European Investment Project Portal. The portal also enables you to get in contact with potential international investors.

DigitaliseSME Project

DigitaliseSME is an EU-funded project that supports the digital transformation of small and medium-sized companies ​as well as of mid-caps in Europe.

You can request support from a digital expert (also known as a digital enabler) based in another EU country. The digital enabler will help you identify practical digital solutions that you can use to respond to your current business needs.

The digital enabler will be on hand to help you over the period of 1 month, minimum 2 weeks of which will be in your company's offices. DigitaliseSME will give a grant to the digital enabler, but you will be responsible for providing him/her with accommodation and meals during their two weeks stay at your company.

For more information visit the DigitaliseSME's website. 

See also:

• Interactive map: companies funded by the EU via the SME Instrument
• Find a company: access company information in the EU
• Women entrepreneurship gateway