Guides to setting up a company in 25 countries, written for investors and groups expanding across borders. Each guide follows the same structure, so the tax system, formation process, documents and timing of one country can be read directly against another — and against Turkey.
Where to start
Country Guides
Side-by-Side Comparison
Each figure is the one given in that country’s guide; the guide itself explains the conditions behind it.
| Country | Company type | Corporate tax | VAT / GST | Dividend WHT | Local director / partner | Formation time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | B.V. | 19% – 25.8% | 21% | ~15% | Not required | 2–4 weeks |
| United Kingdom | Private limited company | up to 25% | 20% | None | Not required | 1–3 weeks |
| Russia | Limited liability company | 20% | 20% | ~15% | Not required | 3–5 weeks |
| Romania | Limited liability company | 16% | 19% | ~8% | Not required | 2–4 weeks |
| Dubai (UAE) | Free zone company | 0% to AED 375,000, then 9% | 5% | None | Not required | 3–5 weeks |
| Bulgaria | Limited company | 10% | 20% | 5% | Not required | 2–4 weeks |
| Switzerland | GmbH / AG | 12–21% by canton | 8.1% | up to 35% | Swiss-resident signatory for some types | 3–6 weeks |
| Malta | Private limited company | 35% nominal, refund system | 18% | — | Not required | 3–4 weeks |
| Croatia | d.o.o. | 10% / 18% by turnover | 25% | ~10% | Not required | 2–4 weeks |
| Czech Republic | s.r.o. | 21% | 21% | ~15% | Not required | 2–4 weeks |
| France | SARL / SAS | 25% | 20% | up to ~25% | Not required | 3–5 weeks |
| Greece | Private company (IKE) | 22% | 24% | 5% | Not required; Greek tax ID for managers | 2–5 weeks |
| Hong Kong | Private limited company | 8.25% / 16.5% two-tier | None | None | Local company secretary | 2–4 weeks |
| Hungary | Kft. | 9% | 27% | 0% to companies | Not required; Hungarian attorney countersigns | — |
| India | Private limited company | 25% / 30%; 22% opt-in | GST 5–28%, most services 18% | — | One India-resident director | ~15 working days |
| Italy | S.r.l. | 24% IRES + IRAP ~3.9% | 22% | 26% | Not required | 3–5 weeks |
| Japan | Limited liability company | ~23–30% effective | 10% | up to ~20% | Not required | 4–6 weeks |
| Luxembourg | Private limited company | 16%; 23.87% combined (Luxembourg City) | 17% | 15% | Not required; resident manager usual | 4–8 weeks |
| Poland | Limited liability company | 19%; 9% small taxpayers | 23% | Treaty 10% / 15% | Registered office required | — |
| Portugal | Private limited company | 21% + municipal surcharge | 23% | — | Not required | 3–5 weeks |
| Serbia | d.o.o. | 15% | 20% | ~15% | Not required | 2–4 weeks |
| Singapore | Private limited company | 17% | GST 9% | — | One resident director | 2–4 weeks |
| Slovakia | Limited liability company | 21% | 20% | — | Not required | 3–5 weeks |
| Spain | Limited liability company | 25% | 21% | ~19% | Not required | 3–5 weeks |
| United States | LLC | 21% federal + state | None federal; state sales tax | ~30% | Registered agent in the state | 2–4 weeks |
Dividend WHT is the domestic rate; Turkey’s tax treaties usually set a lower ceiling. “—” means the guide does not state the figure. Each guide shows its last update date.
What Every Guide Covers
- Which structure is right for you
- How setting up a company works, step by step
- What documents are required for incorporation
- Is a local partner, a local manager or a nominee director required
- Capital, trade name and multiple activities
- What setting up a company costs
- Taxes, accounting and invoicing after incorporation
- How long opening a bank account takes
- Work permits and employer obligations
- The home-country side: what decides the outcome
- Frequently asked questions
Entering Turkey
Liaison office, branch or subsidiary — which one fits the activity planned in Turkey.
Compare the three →Joint-stock and limited liability companies: capital, registration and what follows.
Read the guide →Registration of a foreign company’s branch and its tax position against a subsidiary.
Read the guide →Permit scope, extension periods and payroll rules for non-commercial presence.
What a liaison office may not do →Frequently Asked Questions
Can a company abroad be set up without travelling?
In most of the countries covered, yes: the founder signs a power of attorney, has it apostilled or legalised, and a local firm completes the registration. The step that usually needs the founder’s presence or a video call is the bank account, which is why the guides give formation time and bank onboarding time separately.
Which countries require a resident director or local partner?
Among the 25 covered, India and Singapore require at least one resident director, Hong Kong requires a locally based company secretary, Switzerland requires a Swiss-resident signatory for some company types, and the United States requires a registered agent in the state of formation. None of the 25 requires a local shareholder.
Why does each guide include a comparison with Turkey?
Because the tax result of a company abroad is decided on both sides. The foreign rate is only half of it; the other half is how Turkey treats the dividends it receives, whether controlled foreign company rules apply, what withholding the treaty allows, and whether management from Turkey makes the foreign company resident in Turkey. Each guide covers that second half for its country.
Do these guides cover setting up a company in Turkey?
No. Setting up in Turkey is covered in the “Entering Turkey” section, which links to separate guides on liaison offices, branches and company formation in Turkey.
Does Ozbek CPA form the foreign company itself?
Formation in the foreign country is carried out by our partner firm in that jurisdiction. We coordinate the process, prepare the Turkey-side documents, and handle the Turkey-side tax position of the structure: treaty application, controlled foreign company assessment, transfer pricing and the accounting of the foreign investment.
Planning a company abroad or an entry into Turkey? We work with partner firms in each jurisdiction and handle the Turkey side of the structure.
Contact us