Starting a Business - Luxembourg

There are no nationality or residency restrictions on shareholders or directors; foreigners can fully own and control a Luxembourg company. EU/EFTA citizens need no visa; non-EU nationals wishing to set up as self-employed must file the business permit application together with an application for an authorisation to stay as a self-employed person.

Commercial, skilled-craft, industrial and certain liberal activities require a business permit (autorisation d'établissement) from the Ministry of the Economy, subject to professional integrity and qualification conditions. The stamp duty is EUR 50, paid online via MyGuichet.lu.

A standard SARL (private limited company) requires EUR 12,000 of fully subscribed and paid-up capital; an SA (public limited company) requires EUR 30,000. The SARL-S (simplified) needs as little as EUR 1.

The SARL-S allows incorporation with EUR 1 capital, but its shareholders must be natural persons only (no corporate shareholders), it is reserved for craftsmen, traders, manufacturers and certain liberal professionals, and a business permit must be obtained before RCS registration.

Incorporating a capital company (SARL/SA) requires a notarial deed; the notary must file the instrument of constitution electronically with the RCS and publish it in the RESA within one month of signing. SARL-S can be set up by private deed without a notary.

Incorporation and RCS registration of a capital company can be completed in roughly 3-4 weeks (name reservation, bank capital deposit, notary deed, RCS filing), but issuance of the business permit typically takes around 2-3 months.