Lanop

Business Startup in Luxembourg: The Right Way, From Day One

Set up a business in Luxembourg the right way. Your business vehicle, your registration pathway, your Luxembourg bank account. All coordinated from a single point of contact.

Business Startup in Luxembourg The Right Way, From Day One
Min. Share Capital ( SARL)
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Min. Share Capital (SA)
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Standard VAT Rate
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Countries: Double Tax Treaties
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Why Start a Business in Luxembourg and Why It Matters

Why Start a Business in Luxembourg and Why It Matters

1. Luxembourg Has One of the Strongest Business Environments in the EU

Luxembourg offers a stable and transparent legal system. It ranks among Europe’s top countries for ease of doing business. This clear regulatory framework helps founders avoid surprises and scale their commercial activities smoothly. 

Luxembourg has the lowest standard VAT rate in the EU at 17%. It also offers great tax exemptions for holding companies. A vast network of tax treaties helps businesses reduce costs on international profits. 

A Luxembourg-registered company builds trust across Europe. As a core EU member, it helps you reach European investors, sign contracts with major partners, and win new clients from day one. 

Business Permit Rules in Luxembourg: What Every Founder Must Know

Our specialists work together as a trusted advisor and legal counsel to ensure that you operate your business in Luxembourg in a legally optimal way.

01
Registered Office
A Luxembourg registered office address is required for all companies. It is used for official correspondence from the RCS, tax authorities, and regulatory bodies.
02
Director or Manager (Gerant)
Every Luxembourg SArl must have at least one gerant. Directors of an SA must form a board. There is no mandatory Luxembourg residency requirement for directors, but management and control substance matters for tax purposes.
03
Business Permit Holder
The business permit (autorisation d'etablissement) must be held by a named natural person with relevant qualifications or at least three years of senior management experience in the sector. Without this, the company cannot legally begin trading.
04
Shareholders
Shareholders can be individuals or corporate entities from any country. An SArl can have between 1 and 100 shareholders. An SA requires no minimum shareholder count for a single-member SA.
05
Share Capital
An SArl requires a minimum share capital of €12,000, fully paid up at formation. An SA requires a minimum of €30,000, with at least 25% paid up at the time of incorporation.

Setting Up a Company in Luxembourg: A Clear Process from Start to Finish

A strategic, end-to-end approach to help your business establish, grow, and expand globally from Luxembourg to international markets.

01
Plan & Structure
We fix your company type and permit needs before drafting documents.
02
Form & Register
We handle the notary, capital deposit, and official registry filing.
03
Open & Activate
We set up your corporate bank account and handle VAT registration.
04
Trade & Grow
We manage your annual accounts and ongoing compliance as you expand.

Luxembourg and the UK: Two Very Different Business Environments

LUXEMBOURG BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

17%

Standard VAT Rate the Lowest in the EU 

  • 80+ double tax treaties worldwide 
  • EU member state with full single market access 
  • Participation exemption on qualifying dividends and capital gains 
  • 23.87% combined corporate tax rate in Luxembourg City 

UK BUSINESS
ENVIRONMENT

25%

Corporate Tax Rate

  • Additional dividend taxation may apply 
  • Post-Brexit loss of EU single market access 
  • Higher overall compliance burden 
  • No participation exemption equivalent for most structures 

What Our Luxembourg Company Formation Service Covers

Company Structure Planning
We assess your activity, shareholders, and goals to recommend the right vehicle: SArl, SA, SE, or branch, before formation begins.
Notary Coordination and RCS Registration
We draft and execute your articles of association, coordinate the notary appointment, and file everything with the Registre de Commerce et des Societes.
Business Permit Application
We assess your sector, verify qualification requirements, and manage the autorisation d'etablissement application to the Direction generale des Classes Moyennes.
VAT Registration and Tax Setup
We handle your Luxembourg VAT number application, corporate income tax registration, and municipal business tax setup from the point of incorporation.
Luxembourg Business Bank Account
We identify the right institution for your structure, prepare your KYC documentation, and manage the account opening process end to end.
Registered Office Address
We provide a Luxembourg-registered address for statutory correspondence, RCS records, and regulatory filings.
Accounting and Bookkeeping Setup
We establish your annual accounts framework, bookkeeping structure, and filing calendar in line with Luxembourg statutory requirements.
Ongoing Compliance and Reporting
Annual RCS filings, financial statements, corporate tax returns, and company secretarial support on a continuing basis.

Business Structures in Luxembourg

Which Entity Type is Right for You?

SARL (Societe a Responsabilite Limitee) — Most Common
Minimum Share Capital
€12,000, fully paid up at formation.
Shareholders / Ownership
Between 1 and 100 shareholders. 100% foreign ownership permitted with no local ownership requirement.
Management
One or more gerants required. No Luxembourg residency mandatory. Nominee managers can be appointed.
Share Transferability
Restricted. Share transfers require execution before a Luxembourg notary.
Suitable For
Founder-led businesses, professional services firms, small trading companies, and businesses with a limited shareholder group wanting straightforward governance.
SA (Societe Anonyme)
Minimum Share Capital
€30,000, with at least 25% paid up at formation.
Shareholders / Ownership
No minimum shareholder count for a single-member SA. Shares are freely transferable without restriction.
Management
Board of directors or supervisory board required. Public disclosure of shareholders applies to registered shares.
Stock Exchange Listing
Possible. The SA is the only Luxembourg vehicle that can list on a stock exchange.
Suitable For
Larger businesses, joint ventures, companies planning institutional capital raises, and businesses requiring formal governance or a future listing.
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How We Help You Set Up Your Luxembourg Business

01

Planning and Preparation

Phase 1 Includes 

  1. Choosing the right company structure: SArl, SA, or SE 
  2. Confirming share capital, shareholders, and management 
  3. Drafting the articles of association and memorandum 
  4. Verifying business permit requirements for your sector 
  5. Confirming the registered office address in Luxembourg 
YOU RECEIVE: 

A written formation plan, full document checklist, and clear cost summary before any work begins. 

02

Formation and Official Registration

Phase 2 Includes 

  1. Share capital deposit with a Luxembourg credit institution 
  2. Execution of constitutional documents before a Luxembourg notary 
  3. Filing with the Registre de Commerce et des Societes 
  4. Obtaining your Luxembourg business identifier and VAT number 
  5. Business permit application where required for your sector 
YOU RECEIVE: 

Certificate of incorporation, RCS extract, registered articles of association, and your official Luxembourg company number. 

03

Post-Incorporation and Operations

Phase 3 Includes 

  1. Luxembourg business bank account opening 
  2. VAT registration if applicable to your activity 
  3. Accounting and bookkeeping framework setup 
  4. Social security registration if hiring employees 
  5. Ongoing annual compliance and advisory support 
YOU RECEIVE: 

A fully operational Luxembourg company with banking, VAT, and compliance foundations in place and ready to trade. 

IS LUXEMBOURG

THE RIGHT JURISDICTION FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

Is Luxembourg the Right Place to Set Up Your Business?
Business Profile
Suitability
Why Luxembourg Makes Sense
EU-based founders wanting a credible, well-regulated jurisdiction
Highly Suitable
Luxembourg's stable legal system, recognised company structures, and EU membership make it one of Europe's most respected business jurisdictions.
UK businesses looking to maintain EU market access post-Brexit
Highly Suitable
A Luxembourg entity gives UK businesses a fully operational EU presence, single market access, and European client credibility.
Startups planning to raise capital from European institutional investors
Suitable
Luxembourg entities are well-regarded by European fund managers and institutional investors, making them practical for early fundraising.
Holding groups wanting an EU operating subsidiary
Highly Suitable
The participation exemption, 80+ tax treaties, and EU access make Luxembourg one of the most used jurisdictions for international structures.
Businesses with operations across multiple EU markets
Highly Suitable
Luxembourg's central location, treaty network, and EU membership make it a natural hub for cross-border trade and operations.
Businesses with no EU plans and revenues too low for ongoing compliance
Consider Carefully
Year-one costs run €8,000 to €20,000 and ongoing compliance €5,000 to €15,000. Without EU rationale, another jurisdiction may suit better.

FAQs: Starting a Business in Luxembourg

What is the corporate tax rate in Luxembourg?

The combined rate in Luxembourg City is 23.87%, covering national CIT at 17%, a 7% solidarity surcharge, and municipal business tax of 6.75%. 

The participation exemption allows qualifying holding companies to receive dividends and capital gains free of tax. Withholding tax on dividends is 15%, often reduced under treaties. 

Luxembourg’s standard VAT rate is 17%, the lowest in the EU. Reduced rates of 14%, 8%, and 3% apply to specific goods and services. 

How long does it take to register a company in Luxembourg?

Typically four to eight weeks from instruction to RCS registration. Business permit processing and banking can add a further four to twelve weeks. 

Certified identity documents for all shareholders and directors, a Luxembourg registered office address, proof of share capital deposit, and drafted articles of association. 

Year-one costs for an SArl run €8,000 to €20,000. Ongoing annual compliance typically costs €5,000 to €15,000 depending on transaction volume. 

Not a director, but the business permit must be held by a qualified individual. We can source and coordinate a locally approved responsible person. 

Can a UK national form a company in Luxembourg?

Yes. UK nationals can form and own a Luxembourg company without restriction. We work with UK founders regularly and manage the full formation process. 

No. Ownership and personal tax residency are separate. Many founders operate Luxembourg companies without relocatingRelocation benefits depend on your individual circumstances. 

Luxembourg has no dedicated startup visa. Non-EU nationals typically need a residence permit for self-employment or business activity. Requirements vary by nationality. 

FAQs

Get in touch

To learn more about how we can help you grow your business, contact us today:

Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm

Get in touch

To learn more about how we can help you grow your business, contact us today:

Monday to Friday 9am – 6pm

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