Global Incorporation Guides: How to Set Up a Company Abroad
36 practical country guides
Last reviewed October 7, 2026
These 36 destination guides explain how a foreign founder or overseas parent company can incorporate in each country: the usual entity type, registry steps, documents, local director and office rules, tax registrations, banking and ongoing compliance.
When comparing destinations, start with your commercial reason for being there — customers, staff, investors or a regional hub — and then compare:
- Local presence rules: resident director, company secretary or registered office requirements.
- Tax and substance: corporate tax, VAT or GST registration, treaty access and how much real activity is expected locally.
- Banking: how realistic local account opening is for foreign owners.
- Running costs: annual filings, audits and accounting that continue after setup.
- Documents: apostille, legalization and translation needs for parent-company papers.
Guides are grouped by region. Most founders shortlist two or three countries, read those guides side by side, then confirm the details with a review of their own facts. The India guide is informational only: NYBACS does not offer incorporation or entity services in India, though we support Indian businesses setting up abroad.
North America
Incorporating in the United States and Canada, from choosing a state or province to tax registration and banking.
US LLC or C-Corp
How to incorporate in United States
Yes — a foreign individual or company can own 100% of a US LLC or C-Corp, and no US citizen, resident director or visit is required. Companies are formed at state level: you file Articles of Organization or a Certificate of Incorporation with a Secretary of State, appoint a registered agent in that state, then obtain an EIN from the IRS. Tax registrations, bank onboarding and annual filings are separate steps that follow.
Federal or Provincial Corporation
How to incorporate in Canada
Yes — foreign individuals and companies can own 100% of a Canadian corporation, but the choice between federal and provincial incorporation matters. A federal corporation under the Canada Business Corporations Act must still have at least 25% resident Canadian directors (at least one if it has fewer than four), while Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta have removed director residency rules. Incorporation is followed by a CRA Business Number, GST/HST and an Investment Canada Act notification.
Europe
Setting up in the UK, EU member states, Switzerland and Turkey, covering local entity forms, notarial steps, VAT registration and director rules.
Private Limited Company (Ltd)
How to incorporate in United Kingdom
Yes — a non-resident individual or overseas company can own and direct a UK private limited company (Ltd), and no UK-resident director is required. You register with Companies House, provide a UK registered office address in the right UK jurisdiction, and every director must complete Companies House identity verification first. Online registration is usually quick; HMRC tax registrations, banking and annual filings follow as separate steps.
Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD)
How to incorporate in Ireland
Yes — non-residents can own 100% of an Irish private company limited by shares (LTD), but the company must have at least one EEA-resident director, hold a €25,000 non-resident director bond, or obtain a Revenue statement that it has a real and continuous economic link with Ireland. The company is registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO), needs a company secretary and Irish registered office, and must file beneficial ownership details within five months.
Besloten Vennootschap (BV)
How to incorporate in Netherlands
Yes — a foreign individual or company can own 100% of a Dutch private limited company (besloten vennootschap, BV), and directors do not need to live in the Netherlands. A BV is created by a notarial deed executed by a Dutch civil-law notary, who checks the founders' identities, then registers the company with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KvK) and the Tax Administration. You need a Dutch business address; minimum capital is just €0.01.
GmbH or UG
How to incorporate in Germany
Yes — foreign individuals and companies can own 100% of a German GmbH or UG, and the managing director does not need to live in Germany. The articles must be notarized by a German notary, share capital paid into a German bank account, and the company entered in the commercial register (Handelsregister) at the local court. A GmbH needs €25,000 capital, with at least €12,500 paid in for a cash formation.
SAS or SARL
How to incorporate in France
Yes — a non-resident foreigner or foreign company can own and run a French company, most often a SAS (or single-shareholder SASU) or a SARL. You sign statuts, deposit the share capital, publish a legal notice, then file online through the guichet unique for registration in the RCS, which produces the Kbis extract. There is no French residency requirement for the président or gérant, and the minimum capital can be as low as one euro.
GmbH or AG
How to incorporate in Switzerland
Yes — foreigners and foreign companies can own 100% of a Swiss GmbH or AG, but the company must always be represented by at least one person residing in Switzerland. Formation requires a notarized public deed, paid-in capital (CHF 20,000 for a GmbH, CHF 100,000 subscribed for an AG with at least CHF 50,000 paid) held in a Swiss capital-deposit account, and entry in the cantonal commercial register.
SARL or SA
How to incorporate in Luxembourg
Yes — non-residents and foreign companies can fully own a Luxembourg SARL or SA. A SARL needs at least €12,000 of fully paid capital and an SA at least €30,000 subscribed, and both are created by notarial deed, registered with the Luxembourg Business Registers (RCS) and published in the RESA gazette. Commercial activities also need a business permit from the Ministry of the Economy, while pure holding companies generally do not.
OÜ Private Limited Company
How to incorporate in Estonia
Yes — foreign individuals and companies can own and manage an Estonian private limited company (osaühing, OÜ), and holders of an e-Residency digital ID can register it fully online through the e-Business Register. The company needs an Estonian legal address and, if its management board lives abroad, a licensed contact person. Retained profits are not taxed; corporate income tax arises when profits are distributed, at 22/78 of the net amount.
Private Limited Liability Company
How to incorporate in Malta
Yes — non-residents and foreign companies can own 100% of a Maltese private limited liability company (Ltd). It is registered with the Malta Business Registry, needs authorized and issued share capital of at least €1,164.69 with at least 20% paid up, a registered office in Malta, at least one director and a company secretary. Every Maltese company prepares audited financial statements, and bank onboarding is often the longest part of the process.
Private Limited Company
How to incorporate in Cyprus
Yes — foreign individuals and companies can own 100% of a Cypriot private company limited by shares. The process starts with name approval from the Registrar of Companies, after which a Cyprus-licensed lawyer prepares the memorandum and articles and files the incorporation forms. The company needs a registered office in Cyprus, at least one director and a secretary. From 1 January 2026 the corporate income tax rate is 15%, and annual audited accounts are required.
Lda or SA
How to incorporate in Portugal
Yes — foreign individuals and companies can own and manage a Portuguese company, most commonly a sociedade por quotas (Lda) or a single-member Unipessoal Lda. Every shareholder and manager must first hold a Portuguese tax number (NIF). With that, the company can be formed in a single sitting at an Empresa na Hora counter, which completes commercial registration, after which the beneficial owners are declared in the RCBE within 30 days.
Sociedad Limitada (SL)
How to incorporate in Spain
Yes — foreigners and foreign companies can own 100% of a Spanish sociedad limitada (SL). Each foreign individual shareholder and director needs an NIE, and a foreign corporate shareholder needs a Spanish NIF. The steps are a negative name certificate from the Central Mercantile Registry, a bank account for the capital, a provisional company NIF, a public deed signed before a notary, and registration in the provincial Registro Mercantil.
SRL or SRLS
How to incorporate in Italy
Yes — foreign individuals and companies can own an Italian società a responsabilità limitata (SRL), and foreign individuals can also use the simplified SRLS. Every shareholder and director needs an Italian codice fiscale. The company is formed by a notarial deed (atto costitutivo), which the notary files with the Registro delle Imprese at the Chamber of Commerce, and the company needs a certified email address (PEC) and a VAT number (partita IVA) before trading.
Sp. z o.o.
How to incorporate in Poland
Yes — foreign individuals and companies can own 100% of a Polish limited liability company (spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością, Sp. z o.o.). It needs share capital of at least PLN 5,000, articles signed either online through the S24 system or as a notarial deed, and registration in the National Court Register (KRS). Beneficial owners must then be reported to the CRBR within 14 days of registration, and VAT registration is a separate step.
s.r.o.
How to incorporate in Czech Republic
Yes — foreign individuals and companies can own 100% of a Czech limited liability company (společnost s ručením omezeným, s.r.o.). The founding document must be a notarial deed, the company needs a trade license (živnostenské oprávnění) or other authorization for its activity, and it comes into existence on entry in the commercial register (obchodní rejstřík). A notary can often file the registration directly. Minimum capital is just CZK 1 per shareholder.
Limited Şirket or Anonim Şirket
How to incorporate in Turkey
Yes — under Türkiye's Foreign Direct Investment Law, foreign individuals and companies can set up and fully own a company on the same terms as local investors. Most choose a Limited Şirket (minimum capital TRY 50,000) or an Anonim Şirket (TRY 250,000). Foreign shareholders first obtain a Turkish tax number, the articles are prepared in MERSIS, and the company is registered at the Trade Registry Directorate of the local chamber of commerce, often on the same day.
Middle East (GCC)
Mainland and free-zone options across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, including foreign ownership and licensing.
Mainland LLC, Free Zone Company, Branch or Establishment
How to incorporate in United Arab Emirates
Yes — foreigners can usually own 100% of a UAE company, either in a free zone or, for most activities, on the mainland. Setup means choosing a jurisdiction and licensed activity, reserving a trade name, obtaining initial approval, signing the memorandum, securing office space and receiving the trade licence. Corporate tax registration, VAT where applicable, visas and bank onboarding then follow, and the bank account is often the slowest step.
Limited Liability Company or Branch
How to incorporate in Saudi Arabia
Foreign investors usually incorporate in Saudi Arabia by registering with the Ministry of Investment (MISA) and then obtaining a Commercial Registration (CR) from the Ministry of Commerce for a limited liability company or a branch of the foreign parent. Under the Investment Law in force since February 2025, MISA registration replaced the old investment licence. After the CR, the entity registers with ZATCA, GOSI, Qiwa and the municipality before it can bank, hire and trade.
LLC or Branch/Representative Office
How to incorporate in Qatar
Foreign investors usually incorporate in Qatar either as a mainland limited liability company registered with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) or under a separate regime such as the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) or Qatar Free Zones. Law No. 1 of 2019 allows up to 100% foreign ownership in most mainland sectors, but only with specific MOCI approval; without it, a Qatari partner holding at least 51% is still required.
WLL or Branch
How to incorporate in Bahrain
Foreign founders usually incorporate in Bahrain by registering a With Limited Liability company (WLL), a Single Person Company (SPC) or a branch of their overseas company through Sijilat, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce's online registration system. Most commercial and industrial activities allow 100% foreign ownership without a Bahraini partner, though regulated sectors need extra approvals. After the commercial registration, the company must open a local bank account, register staff with LMRA and register for VAT where required.
LLC or Branch
How to incorporate in Oman
Foreign investors usually incorporate in Oman as a limited liability company (LLC) or a single-person company registered through Invest Easy, the online platform of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MOCIIP). Since the Foreign Capital Investment Law took effect in January 2020, most activities allow 100% foreign ownership with no fixed minimum capital, apart from a published list of activities reserved for Omanis. Registration is followed by Chamber, municipal, tax and labour registrations.
Asia-Pacific
Company setup across Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, Southeast Asia, China and other APAC markets, with India covered for information only.
Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd)
How to incorporate in Singapore
Yes — a foreigner can own 100% of a Singapore private limited company (Pte Ltd), but the company must have at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore. Foreigners without Singpass incorporate through a registered corporate service provider, which files with ACRA via BizFile. You also need a local registered address and a resident company secretary within six months, before moving to tax, GST and bank setup.
Private Company Limited by Shares
How to incorporate in Hong Kong
Yes — a foreign individual or company can own and direct a Hong Kong private company limited by shares, with no local director requirement. The company is incorporated with the Companies Registry, usually through the e-Registry, which issues the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Registration Certificate together. You need a Hong Kong registered office and a company secretary resident or based in Hong Kong. Bank account opening is often the hardest step.
Private Limited Company, LLP or Branch/Liaison/Project Office
How to incorporate in India
Usually yes — a foreign company or individual can set up an Indian wholly owned subsidiary, most often a private limited company, under the automatic FDI route in most sectors. Incorporation is filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs through the SPICe+ form, needs at least two directors including one resident in India, and is followed by RBI reporting of the share issue. Some sectors and investors need prior government approval.
Proprietary Limited Company (Pty Ltd)
How to incorporate in Australia
Yes — a foreign individual or company can own 100% of an Australian proprietary company (Pty Ltd), but at least one director must ordinarily reside in Australia, and every director needs a director identification number before appointment. The company is registered with ASIC, which issues an Australian Company Number (ACN). An ABN, tax file number and GST registration follow, and overseas directors should apply for director IDs well in advance.
Limited Company
How to incorporate in New Zealand
Yes — a foreign individual or company can own 100% of a New Zealand limited company, but at least one director must live in New Zealand, or live in Australia and be a director of an Australian company. Registration is online with the Companies Office, which issues a company number and NZBN. You can request an IRD number and GST registration during incorporation; banking and annual returns follow.
Sdn Bhd
How to incorporate in Malaysia
Foreign founders usually incorporate in Malaysia as a private company limited by shares (Sdn Bhd) registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). A foreigner can own 100% of a Sdn Bhd in most sectors, but the company needs at least one director who ordinarily resides in Malaysia, a licensed company secretary and a Malaysian registered office. Capital requirements are low in law but rise in practice if you need employment passes or certain trading licences.
Thai Limited Company or BOI-supported structure
How to incorporate in Thailand
Foreigners usually incorporate in Thailand as a private limited company registered with the Department of Business Development (DBD). Majority foreign ownership is the hard part: under the Foreign Business Act, a company with 50% or more foreign shareholding cannot carry on many listed activities, including most services, without a Foreign Business Licence, Board of Investment (BOI) promotion or a treaty exemption. Many foreign businesses therefore plan the BOI or licence route before registering.
PT PMA Foreign Investment Company
How to incorporate in Indonesia
Foreign investors incorporate in Indonesia through a PT PMA, a limited liability company with foreign shareholding, licensed through the risk-based Online Single Submission (OSS) system. Each business activity is identified by a KBLI code that must be open to foreign investment under the Positive Investment List. Since BKPM Regulation No. 5 of 2025, the minimum paid-up capital fell to IDR 2.5 billion per KBLI, while the planned investment value generally remains above IDR 10 billion.
Foreign-Invested Enterprise / LLC / JSC
How to incorporate in Vietnam
Foreign investors usually set up in Vietnam through a foreign-invested limited liability company or joint stock company. Traditionally this meant an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) for the project first, then an Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) for the company. Under the Law on Investment 2025, effective 1 March 2026, eligible investors can obtain the ERC first, but must complete the IRC within 12 months and cannot implement the project until they do.
Domestic Corporation or Branch/Representative Office
How to incorporate in Philippines
Foreign investors usually incorporate in the Philippines as a domestic stock corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), or register a branch or representative office of their overseas company. Foreign ownership above 40% in a business serving the domestic market generally requires paid-in capital of at least US$200,000 under the Foreign Investments Act, reducible to US$100,000 in specific cases, and some sectors are restricted by the Foreign Investment Negative List.
Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) or Godo Kaisha (GK)
How to incorporate in Japan
Foreign founders usually incorporate in Japan as a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK, a stock company) or a Godo Kaisha (GK, a limited liability company), registered at the Legal Affairs Bureau. A KK's articles must be certified by a Japanese notary; a GK's need not be. There is no resident-director requirement and capital can legally be as low as one yen, but bank accounts and the Business Manager visa carry much higher practical thresholds.
Yuhan Hoesa / Chusik Hoesa or Branch
How to incorporate in South Korea
Foreign investors usually incorporate in South Korea as a Chusik Hoesa (stock company) or Yuhan Hoesa (limited company) under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act. The process runs in four stages: file a foreign investment notification with KOTRA or a foreign exchange bank, remit the capital, register the company at the court registry and tax office, then register as a foreign-invested company. FDI status generally requires at least KRW 100 million per foreign investor.
Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE), JV or Representative Office
How to incorporate in China
Foreign investors usually enter China through a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), a limited liability company registered with the local Administration for Market Regulation (AMR) under the Foreign Investment Law and the Company Law. Most sectors are open to 100% foreign ownership unless listed in the national Negative List. Since July 2024, subscribed capital must generally be paid within five years, and the company needs its chops, bank accounts and tax registration before it can trade.
Common questions
Featured Questions
Which country is easiest for a foreign founder to incorporate in?
There is no single answer, because speed of registration is rarely the real constraint. Some jurisdictions register companies quickly online but expect a resident director or local substance, while others are slower to register but simpler afterwards. Judge ease on the whole picture: setup, banking, annual compliance and tax position for your actual business.
Do I need a local director or resident in the country?
It varies. Singapore, for example, requires at least one director who is ordinarily resident there, while Hong Kong has no local director requirement but requires a locally based company secretary. Other countries impose requirements on the managing director, legal representative or registered office, so check each guide's facts table before committing.
Will I be able to open a local bank account for the new company?
Usually, but it is often the slowest step. Banks apply their own risk appetite to foreign-owned companies, may require a visit by a director, and will ask for clear evidence of ownership, source of funds and the local business purpose. Prepare the KYC file before incorporation rather than after.
Can NYBACS incorporate a company in India?
No. NYBACS intentionally does not offer incorporation or entity services in India, and our India guide is general information only. We do help Indian companies and founders set up and run entities abroad, including US subsidiaries.
Questions about 36 Country Guides?
Book a NYBACS market-entry review to compare your shortlisted destinations side by side and get a practical incorporation roadmap for the country that fits your business.
