Live and work where it suits you best.

Forming companies abroad: legal form, registration, business address and support through to the corporate account, in one process. The critical path is almost always the bank, not the formation itself.

Not included

The bank’s approval. It decides independently; no service provider can guarantee it.

Establishing and connecting trusts, foundations and holding companies: holding, pooling and passing on assets through a clear ownership chain rather than scattered individual accounts.

Not included

The tax assessment in the residence state of those involved. It is the genuinely decisive point and is commissioned separately.

A trust does not automatically change tax attribution. In several states the assets continue to be attributed to the settlor — without a prior review in the state of residence, we advise against establishing one.

What comes after incorporation: bookkeeping, annual accounts, register obligations and deadlines, changes to the board, share transfers. A company nobody looks after gets struck off.

Not included

The tax return in the members’ state of residence. We keep the company’s books, not those of its owners.

Invoicing through our company for as long as your own does not yet pay off: we issue the invoice, collect and pass on. The route into your own company stays open from day one.

Not included

Any statement on whether this holds up in your state of residence. That needs clarifying up front, which is why this route goes through a conversation.

Full formation of a company: name check and reservation, articles of association, registration with the register, issue of the incorporation documents, tax number.

Not included

Bank account, ongoing administration, bookkeeping, provision of a director.

Often also required

Registered office — required by law in almost all jurisdictions. Apostille for use abroad.

Statutory business address and secretarial function: receiving official post, keeping the company books, monitoring deadlines, filing changes with the register.

Not included

Office space to work in, a telephone service, forwarding post to a private address.

Note

Mandatory in almost all jurisdictions, not optional. Without appointing one, the company cannot be registered.

Selecting suitable banks, preparing the documents, drawing up the business plan, support through the compliance review and the bank interview, activation of online banking.

Not included

The bank’s approval. No provider anywhere can guarantee it.

Note

Realistically 4 to 6 weeks from complete documents. Considerably longer for shareholder structures from high-risk countries, with a noticeable risk of refusal. We recommend two banking options from the outset.

Appointing a director resident in the country. Required where the jurisdiction demands it, or where tax residence and access to tax treaties are to be achieved.

Not included

Day-to-day management, signing authority over bank accounts, business decisions.

Note

In Cyprus, a precondition for access to the double taxation treaties and the domestic tax rate.

Holding company shares on a fiduciary basis.

Not included

Anonymity towards the authorities. The beneficial owner is disclosed to the register, the bank and the reporting bodies.

A nominee arrangement protects against public visibility, not against the authorities’ knowledge. Anyone promising otherwise is selling you a risk.

Preparing the annual accounts, the tax return, filing with the register and the tax authority, monitoring deadlines.

Not included

Ongoing bookkeeping, an audit by an auditor, VAT returns.

Note

In Cyprus, audited accounts are mandatory for all companies — including dormant ones.

Monthly recording of transactions, account reconciliation, reports.

Not included

Annual accounts, payroll, tax advice in individual cases.

Setting up a trust: drafting the trust deed, appointing the trustee, establishing the asset structure, the settlor’s letter of wishes.

Not included

The tax assessment in the country of residence of the settlor and the beneficiaries. This is the point that actually decides the matter and is commissioned separately.

A trust does not automatically change who the assets are attributed to for tax. In several countries the assets remain attributed to the settlor. Without a prior review in the country of residence we advise against setting one up.

Setting up a foundation with statutes, governing bodies and an endowment of assets.

Not included

As with the trust, the tax assessment in the country of residence.

Applying for residence and work permits, preparing the documents, support through to the decision.

Not included

The authority’s approval, finding accommodation, registration, health insurance, family reunification as an automatic entitlement.

Apostille certification of company documents for use abroad.

Not included

Recognition by the receiving body in the destination country.

Note

Almost always required as soon as documents are presented to a foreign bank or authority. It is regularly forgotten and then delays the entire process.