The EU Inc. (European Incorporated Company) is a new pan-European company form proposed by the European Commission under Regulation COM(2026) 320. It allows entrepreneurs to incorporate a company valid across all 27 EU member states, entirely online, in 48 hours, for under €100.

When will the EU Inc. be available?

The regulation was proposed on March 18, 2026. It is currently being reviewed by the European Parliament and Council. Final adoption is expected in 2027, with the first EU Inc. companies possible by 2028.

How much does it cost to create an EU Inc.?

The maximum registration fee is capped at €100, with zero minimum capital requirement. This makes it the most affordable company form in Europe and possibly the world.

Is the EU Inc. valid in all EU countries?

Yes. Once registered, an EU Inc. is automatically recognized in all 27 EU member states without any need for re-registration or additional procedures.

Do I need a notary to create an EU Inc.?

No. The entire process is digital. Identity verification is done online, replacing traditional notarization. You can incorporate from anywhere with an internet connection.

What is Regulation COM(2026) 320?

COM(2026) 320 is the official reference number for the European Commission's legislative proposal establishing the EU Inc. company form. It was published on March 18, 2026.

European Council Backs EU Inc: Fast-Track Adoption by End of 2026

A Historic Endorsement from the Highest Level

Just one day after the European Commission unveiled its landmark EU Inc proposal, the European Council delivered a powerful signal of support. In its conclusions adopted on March 19, 2026, the body representing all 27 EU heads of state and government explicitly endorsed the creation of a pan-European company form, calling for its swift adoption before the end of 2026.

This is extraordinary by EU legislative standards. Typically, major regulatory proposals take years to navigate the complex interplay between the Commission, Parliament, and Council. The fact that the European Council — the institution that sets the EU's overall political direction — has called for fast-track adoption signals a level of political urgency rarely seen in European business law.

What the Council Conclusions Actually Say

The relevant paragraphs of the European Council conclusions are unambiguous. The heads of state and government:

Welcomed the Commission's proposal for a European company form (EU Inc) as a key pillar of the Competitiveness Compass
Called on the Council of the EU and the European Parliament to treat the proposal as a legislative priority
Set an ambitious target of reaching political agreement by the end of 2026
Emphasized the importance of reducing regulatory fragmentation for startups and SMEs operating across borders

"The European Council underlines the urgency of removing barriers to cross-border business activity and calls for swift progress on the European company form to strengthen the Single Market's competitiveness."

Why This Fast-Track Matters

To understand the significance of this timeline, consider how EU legislation normally works. The Commission proposes, then the European Parliament and the Council of the EU (the body of national ministers, distinct from the European Council) must both agree on the final text. This process, known as the ordinary legislative procedure, typically involves months of committee work, amendments, trialogue negotiations, and political horse-trading.

For a proposal as significant as EU Inc — which creates an entirely new legal entity form across 27 jurisdictions — the normal timeline would be two to four years. The European Council's demand for completion by end of 2026 compresses this to roughly nine months, an extraordinarily ambitious schedule.

The Legislative Fast-Track Mechanism

In practice, this fast-track will likely involve several procedural shortcuts:

Priority scheduling in both the Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) and the Council's Competitiveness formation
Early trialogue negotiations before first reading positions are formally adopted
Political pressure from the European Council on national delegations to reach compromises quickly
Reduced amendment cycles with the Parliament potentially agreeing to a streamlined process

Member State Positions: Where Do Countries Stand?

The unanimous endorsement at the European Council level masks some nuanced positions among member states. Based on statements from national delegations and early Council working group discussions, a clearer picture is emerging:

Strong Supporters

Countries like France, Estonia, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Denmark have been among the most vocal proponents. These nations have either invested heavily in startup ecosystems or already simplified their own company registration processes. For them, EU Inc represents a natural extension of existing modernization efforts.

Cautious but Supportive

Germany, Spain, and Italy have expressed support for the principle while raising questions about specific implementation details. Germany, in particular, has a strong notarial tradition that EU Inc's digital-only registration approach would bypass. Italian officials have raised questions about how EU Inc interacts with existing national corporate governance requirements.

Seeking Clarifications

Some smaller member states, including Austria, Luxembourg, and Belgium, have sought clarity on how EU Inc might affect their national company registries and the professional services industries built around them. These are not objections but requests for more detailed impact assessments.

What This Means for the Timeline

If the European Council's ambitious schedule holds, the legislative process could unfold roughly as follows:

April-May 2026: European Parliament assigns the file to the JURI committee; Council working groups begin detailed examination
June-July 2026: Initial committee votes in Parliament; Council reaches a general approach
September-October 2026: Trialogue negotiations between Parliament, Council, and Commission
November-December 2026: Political agreement and formal adoption
2027-2028: Implementation period for member states to set up the necessary digital infrastructure

The Competitiveness Compass Connection

The European Council's urgency on EU Inc is inseparable from the broader Competitiveness Compass framework. EU leaders have grown increasingly concerned about Europe's innovation gap relative to the United States and China. The fragmented business environment — where expanding from one EU country to another can be as complex as entering a foreign market — is seen as a critical competitive disadvantage.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has repeatedly framed EU Inc as a cornerstone of European competitiveness, arguing that the continent cannot afford to lose another generation of entrepreneurs to jurisdictions with simpler regulatory environments.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the strong political signal, significant challenges remain. The European Parliament is expected to push for stronger worker protection provisions and may seek to expand the scope of the proposal. National bar associations and notarial bodies will lobby to preserve their roles in the company formation process. Tax implications — while formally outside the scope of EU Inc — will inevitably enter political discussions.

Nevertheless, the European Council endorsement represents the strongest possible political mandate for this reform. When the heads of state of all 27 member states collectively call for fast-track adoption, the legislative machinery tends to respond.

For European entrepreneurs, this is the most encouraging signal yet that EU Inc will become reality — and sooner than many had dared to hope.

Source: European Council