It adds a simpler way forward
Easy-to-set-up company form for businesses with European ambition
The European Union is proud of its Single Market. But companies that want to work across borders still have to navigate different national company-law systems.
There are 27 national legal systems and more than 60 company forms across the EU. For companies expanding across borders, this can mean different procedures, additional legal advice and repeated administrative work. The European Commission identifies this fragmentation as one of the barriers facing start-ups, scale-ups and other companies seeking to grow across Europe.
national legal systems
company forms across the EU
In March 2026, the European Commission proposed EU Inc., a new optional corporate legal framework – often referred to as a “28th regime”. The proposal is now being negotiated in the European Parliament and the Council.
EU Inc. would be an optional company form available alongside existing national company forms. Its core corporate rules would be the same wherever an EU Inc. company is established. The idea is to give businesses a more recognisable and predictable framework as they start, operate, attract investment and expand across the Single Market.
It is particularly designed with start-ups, scale-ups and growing companies in mind. But under the Commission proposal, it would not be limited to them.
And importantly: national tax, financial and labour law will still be applicable to EU Inc. companies in the same way they apply to other national forms of companies.
What will become simpler?
Starting a company
Registration would be fully digital. The Commission proposes incorporation within 48 hours, at a cost of no more than €100.
Less repeated paperwork
The “once-only” principle would mean that companies should not have to provide the same information repeatedly to different authorities. Relevant information could be exchanged digitally between registers and authorities.
Running the company
Corporate procedures could be carried out digitally, including shareholder and board meetings.
Attracting investment
Capital increases, share issuances and other financing operations would be simplified and digitalised. The aim is to make the company form easier for investors to understand and use across borders.
Expanding across Europe
Branches could be registered digitally without repeatedly supplying information already available through European business registers.
The Commission estimates that EU Inc. could generate €328–440 million in administrative savings over ten years for companies using the form.
EU Inc.: time to separate fact from fiction
The proposal aims to simplify how businesses set up and grow across Europe. But there are plenty of claims about what it would change.
Would it undermine workers’ rights? Would registration in 48 hours mean fewer checks?
Our Senior Press Officer Ellen O’Connor caught our Legal Affairs Director Pedro Oliveira on his coffee break for a quick myth check.
Watch the video to find out which claims are true and which aren’t.
BusinessEurope has strongly supported the proposal for an EU Inc. as a landmark initiative to make Europe a more attractive place to start, scale and invest in businesses. You can find more details in our position paper and press release.