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.

EU Inc vs National Companies: Country-by-Country Comparison

The Comparison Everyone Has Been Waiting For

With the EU Inc proposal now on the table, the natural question for every European entrepreneur is: how does it compare to the company form I already know? The differences are striking — and reveal just how fragmented the European business landscape has been.

At a Glance: EU Inc vs National Forms

Feature	EU Inc	Italian SRL	German GmbH	French SARL	Spanish SL
Registration Time	48 hours	7-15 days	2-6 weeks	1-4 weeks	1-3 weeks
Minimum Capital	€1	€10,000 (€1 for SRLS)	€25,000 (€1 for UG)	€1	€3,000
Notary Required	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Formation Cost	~€100	€1,500-3,000	€1,000-2,500	€200-1,000	€600-1,500
Cross-Border Recognition	Automatic (27 states)	Requires local setup	Requires local setup	Requires local setup	Requires local setup
Seat Transfer	Free mobility	Complex/costly	Complex/costly	Complex/costly	Complex/costly
Digital Governance	Full digital	Limited	Limited	Partial	Partial
Stock Options (ESOP)	EU-ESOP harmonized	Complex national rules	Complex national rules	BSPCE (French specific)	Complex national rules

Where EU Inc Clearly Wins

Speed and Cost

The most obvious advantage is speed and affordability. At 48 hours and approximately €100, EU Inc would be faster and cheaper than any national alternative. Even France's relatively streamlined SARL formation cannot match this. Germany's GmbH, with its mandatory notarization and 25,000 euro capital requirement, represents the starkest contrast.

Cross-Border Operations

This is where EU Inc's value proposition truly shines. A startup that wants to sell in five EU countries today needs to either establish local entities (expensive and time-consuming) or navigate complex cross-border arrangements. EU Inc eliminates this entirely — one registration, one identity, 27 markets.

Talent and Stock Options

The EU-ESOP framework solves one of Europe's most persistent talent retention challenges. Currently, employee stock option plans face wildly different tax treatment across member states, making it nearly impossible for pan-European startups to offer consistent equity compensation. EU-ESOP creates a single, predictable framework.

Where National Forms Still Have Advantages

National company forms aren't without their merits:

Legal certainty: decades of case law provide clear interpretation of national rules
Professional ecosystem: local lawyers, accountants, and advisors have deep expertise in national forms
Industry-specific suitability: some sectors may benefit from national rules tailored to their needs
Tax optimization: national forms may offer specific tax advantages not available to EU Inc

The Verdict

For purely domestic businesses with no cross-border ambitions, national company forms may still be the practical choice — at least initially, while the EU Inc framework is still new. But for any startup with European ambitions, the advantages of EU Inc are compelling. The combination of speed, cost, cross-border recognition, and standardized governance makes it a fundamentally different proposition from anything currently available.

The real test will come when the first EU Inc companies are registered and begin operating across borders. Until then, the comparison remains theoretical — but the numbers speak for themselves.

Source: A&O Shearman