For Those from the Near and Middle East Interested in Starting Business Activities in EU Countries
If you are considering entering the EU market, you need to know at least the following:
- The European single market within the European Union is an area without internal borders, with almost free movement of goods, persons, services and capital, as defined by the Maastricht Treaty. This concept is the basis for other individual EU policies that build on the common market and aim to further fulfill the defined objectives of the four freedoms. The common market is generally defined in Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and subsequently in relevant acts of secondary EU law and other sources.
- The single market includes the 27 EU member states, and several other countries have only limited access to it. Four other countries that are also members of the European Free Trade Association have almost complete access: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the European Economic Area, and Switzerland through its bilateral agreements with the EU. Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine have access to the EU internal market through a deep and comprehensive free trade area, but without the possibility of free movement of workers.
- In 2015, the European Commission introduced the Digital Single Market which covers digital marketing, e-commerce, and telecommunications.
Entering the EU Market
The costs of entering the European single market are high. They mainly include the costs of consultancy services of lawyers and consultants, which are essential for choosing the right business strategy. This includes, for example, setting up the first company or personal bank account, choosing the right company type, selecting a tax-advantageous company seat in the relevant country, and drafting various types of business contracts.
In the EU, companies from the Near and Middle East and North Africa should also expect higher costs of market research, building a sales network, product promotion or warehousing in larger cities.
Considering that the EU territory is not very large geographically, the diversity of interests of the people of the EU member states is very high. Any interested party should therefore prepare a very thorough analysis in advance to determine whether it intends to operate in only part of the market or in the whole EU. It is also important to find out whether their product requires certification in the EU, which is very likely.
Our Offer
We can provide the following portfolio of services to companies from the Near and Middle East region interested in setting up business activities in EU countries :
- Establishment of a suitable type of legal entity and related services, including the drafting of the foundation charter, articles of association or statute, administration of deposits, and registration of the company in the public register.
- Services related to the establishment of a trust fund, which includes the registration of the trust fund in the trust fund register, arranging for the conclusion of a contract for the allocation of assets by entrusting them to the trustee, drawing up such a contract or disposition in the event of death, whereby assets are allocated by entrusting them to the trustee, or drawing up the trust fund statute.
- Temporary acts on behalf of a legal entity related to its formation, including acting on behalf of the legal entity prior to its formation.
- Provision of premises for the registered office of the legal entity, administrative services related to establishing the registered office of the legal entity in these premises, such as registration of the registered office in the public register, or receiving mail.
- Exercise of shareholder rights for a client that is not a legal person whose securities are admitted to trading on a European-regulated market and which is subject to information disclosure requirements equivalent to those of European Union’s law.
- Acting on behalf of the interested party in the management or operation of a business corporation, a group of companies or other similar entity.
- Acting on behalf of the interested party in raising and collecting funds or other monetizable assets for the purpose of establishing, managing or controlling a business corporation, a group of companies or other similar entity.
- Acting on behalf of the interested party in the establishment or administration of a trust fund or an institution similar to it in its structure or functions and governed by the law of another state.
- Acting on behalf of the interested party in obtaining and collecting funds or other monetizable assets for a trust fund for the purpose of establishing or administering the trust fund.
- Consulting services on financial matters (such as granting loans, capital valuation, etc.), business activities, organizational and economic issues in business matters, planning, organization, control, management, etc.
We Are Here For You
Thanks to many years of practical experience in trade among entities situated in the Near and Middle East, North Africa and the EU, we can successfully represent you in negotiations in a wide range of business activities and assist you effectively in selling your products and services on the European single market. Do not hesitate to contact us.
Defining the Four Freedoms of the European Single Market
Free Movement of Goods
Goods can be sold in all EU countries. Goods from other member states cannot be put at a disadvantage compared to domestic products by means of a customs duty or a special tax.
Free Movement of People
It is your right to travel freely, settle and start a business in other EU countries. You have the right to vote and run in elections to the European Parliament and local councils in the place of your residence. Travel within the European Union is governed by the Schengen Agreement which abolished internal border controls between the individual member states. You are an EU national if you are a national of one of the EU member states. Freedom of residence and establishment is one of the most important rights brought about by EU citizenship which was established by the Maastricht Treaty.
Free Movement of Services
It allows businesses to offer their services in other member states. Free movement of services means the cross-border provision of services, i.e. the trader does not need to be established in the country where the service is provided.
Free Movement of Capital
The free movement of capital is an essential tool of the EU single market. It means the free movement of financial capital and physical assets across EU countries. This means that EU citizens can use financial services in any other member state.