EU Inc.: A Company in 48 Hours for 100 Euros

The European Commission has presented its proposal for EU Inc., a new voluntary regime for company formation that would allow businesses to be set up online within 48 hours and at a maximum cost of 100 euros. The rules governing such a company would not change depending on the member state into which it expands, thereby removing the administrative barriers that currently burden cross-border operations.

Why is EU Inc. needed?

Although the EU has removed borders within the single market, companies operating there still face different national rules each time they expand into a new member state. Every time a subsidiary is opened, it means new rules, paperwork, lawyers, time, and costs. Large corporations have the resources for this, but small businesses often do not.

For example, if a Croatian company wants to open a subsidiary in Germany, it must prove that it exists, who is authorized to represent it, obtain documents required by the German registry, translate them, and have them notarized. Part of the process will require someone familiar with German law and procedures, and all of this takes time and money before the company even starts operating.

A voluntary 28th regime

The Commission does not intend to replace the Croatian d.o.o., the German GmbH, or other national forms. Alongside them, there would be a 28th, voluntary regime that a company could choose when setting up and growing across the EU. This means entrepreneurs would still be able to choose between existing national forms and the new European one, depending on which suits them better.

The proposal was published on August 19, 2026, and aims to make the European market truly single for companies, not just for goods and services.