In the context of international asset management, choosing the right jurisdiction to register funds and trusts is a critical decision. Europe offers many attractive options, each with its own unique advantages and peculiarities. In this part of the article, we present an analysis of the best European countries for opening funds and trusts, taking into account aspects such as tax policy, legal stability, financial infrastructure and asset protection.
The best countries for opening trusts and foundations are Switzerland and Luxembourg. The legislation of these countries provides unprecedented protection for beneficiaries, the registration of trusts is the most flexible, and risks are minimised. Let us remind you that according to the Global Competitiveness Index, Switzerland is among the 10 best countries for financial investments. This country is the largest centre of trust administration, and in 2007 Switzerland ratified the Hague Convention on trust legislation.
SIF – Specialised Investment Fund A specialised investment fund based in Luxembourg is in principle exempt from income tax. The subscription tax is 0.01% per annum. The basis for calculating the subscription tax is the total net asset value of the specialised fund. The company is liable to a one-off capital tax of €1,250 payable on incorporation. SICAR – company with risk capital investments (Authorised capital of at least EUR 1mn) Annual capital turnover tax of EUR 1,250. Corporate tax 29.63%. There are no restrictions under double tax treaties. Profit distributions are not subject to source tax. Income from securities is exempt from tax. Proceeds from the liquidation of a company are not taxed (for non-resident participants)
Luxembourg does not tax profits generated by offshore bank accounts. An offshore Luxembourg bank account is a guaranteed means of capital protection. All information in offshore bank accounts in Luxembourg is considered confidential and may not be disclosed without the express authorisation of the bank account holder.
Luxembourg offers unique business opportunities due to its stable economy, favourable tax system, strategic location, quality financial services and high standard of living. These factors make it an attractive location for international investors and entrepreneurs seeking to expand their operations or enter the European market.
However, business success in Luxembourg requires careful planning and understanding of the local environment. This includes choosing the best legal form for the company, strategic planning, complying with regulatory requirements and proactively engaging with local partners and regulators.
Overall, Luxembourg offers a favourable environment for business development, backed by a highly skilled workforce, an innovative economy and a stable legal system.
Costs of business registration and further maintenance of the company
When choosing a country for business registration, it is important to be aware in advance of the minimum required authorised capital for different types of companies, the average salary for hiring employees, the cost of office rent, the cost of banking services, etc.
No foreign jurisdiction on blacklists
Blacklists are maintained by international organisations as well as individual countries. For example, if a jurisdiction is included in the EU blacklist or is considered offshore, it complicates the country’s financial relations with the EU. In this case, European banks will be forced to conduct additional checks when dealing with companies registered in EU blacklisted countries.
Fast and convenient air connections to the country of residence
This factor is also very important. For example, you decide to open a company in Hong Kong, Singapore or Seychelles and the remoteness of these jurisdictions may create certain difficulties for the entrepreneur.
Regulated United Europe offers complex services for bank account opening in Europe both for personal and corporate use. Also, we will be glad to offer assistance in merchant account opening. Our skilled team will prepare a detailed offer based on your needs and/or project. These days the financial borders are opening more each day, this allows one to open a bank account anywhere in the world absolutely online. It is very important that at the starting point the client understands the procedure for opening a bank account, and prepares the needed documents, how it is required by the bank or an online payment service provider. From our side, we can guarantee that we will make the procedure for the bank account opening comfortable and stress-free.
It would seem that Maltese taxation is quite severe and the corporate income tax rate does not suggest that Malta is a low tax jurisdiction. However, this is not the case. The fact is that non-resident companies in Malta are entitled to a refund of taxes paid, which allows us to talk about the lower level of taxation in Malta compared to most countries in the world.
In order to claim a corporate income tax refund, a foreign company must be registered in Malta as a trading or holding company (deriving its income from trading activities or from participation in other organisations, respectively).
In the tax accounting of a Maltese company, the income earned by it must be recorded in one of four tax accounts: “foreign profits”, “Maltese profits”, “profits from immovable property”, “non-taxable income”. Each type of income is taxed according to its own rules. The final amount of tax is recorded in the fifth account “final tax”.
Example. Consider the two most common cases: a Maltese company derives profits from trading activities abroad and from participation in other companies. In either case, these profits are subject to statutory tax at 35 per cent, but the Maltese shareholders are entitled to claim a refund of the tax taken from the dividends distributed. The refund rules differ for different types of income.
If a Maltese company derives income from trading activities outside Malta (and the term “trading” includes both the direct purchase and sale of goods and the provision of services), its shareholders are entitled, upon receipt of the dividend, to apply for a refund of 6/7th of the tax previously paid in Malta. Therefore, the effective income tax rate will be 5 per cent.
Regulated United Europe ist standig bestrebt, seine Leistungen und das Niveau der erbrachten Dienstleistungen zu verbessern, basierend auf dem standigen Feedback der Kunden und der Erfassung der Marktbedurfnisse fur juristische Dienstleistungen in verschiedenen europaischen Landern. Die Reaktionszeit auf Kundenanfragen/E-Mails wird ebenfalls auf ein Minimum reduziert.
Im Bereich der Preisgestaltung versucht Regulated United Europe ebenfalls, sich an die Bedurfnisse der Kunden anzupassen, indem es fur die meisten der erbrachten Rechtsdienstleistungen einen Festpreis anbietet, obwohl in den meisten europaischen Landern hauptsachlich Stundenhonorare zur Anwendung kommen.
Wir bieten unseren Kunden Rechtsberatung und tagliche Unterstutzung in jeder Phase der Projektumsetzung. Komplexe Losungen werden von einem Team erfahrener Juristen individuell fur jeden Kunden entwickelt.
Noi di Regulated United Europe riconosciamo che l’efficacia del nostro lavoro dipende dagli sforzi collettivi di ciascun membro del team. La nostra visione e incentrata sul supporto reciproco e sulla collaborazione quotidiana, guidata dal coinvolgimento con clienti, partner e colleghi. Integriamo i valori aziendali in ogni aspetto delle nostre operazioni, sottolineando l’importanza di fissare obiettivi realistici, assumerci la responsabilita aziendale per le decisioni del team e portare i progetti fino al completamento.
Approccio individuale
Siamo orgogliosi di servire clienti con origini etniche diverse e consideriamo la nostra missione quella di favorire la loro integrazione in prima linea nel business europeo. Adattarsi rapidamente alle fluttuazioni del settore e affrontare le varie sfide sono parte integrante del nostro approccio. Inoltre, sosteniamo una rigorosa etica professionale, ritenendola essenziale per una proficua collaborazione. I nostri servizi sono personalizzati per soddisfare le esigenze specifiche dei clienti internazionali e possono essere ulteriormente personalizzati su richiesta individuale.
Dinamica
In un panorama globale in continua evoluzione, l’Regulated United Europe rimane agile e reattiva. Diamo priorita all’efficienza per onorare il tempo dei nostri clienti, fornendo tempestivamente servizi aziendali, contabili e legali. In un contesto di volatilita, l’agilita di un’azienda ne definisce il successo e noi ci impegniamo a fornire un servizio di qualita nel piu breve tempo possibile. Pertanto, ci impegniamo a rispondere a tutte le richieste dei clienti entro poche ore.
Noi di Regulated United Europe riconosciamo che l’efficacia del nostro lavoro dipende dagli sforzi collettivi di ciascun membro del team. La nostra visione e incentrata sul supporto reciproco e sulla collaborazione quotidiana, guidata dal coinvolgimento con clienti, partner e colleghi. Integriamo i valori aziendali in ogni aspetto delle nostre operazioni, sottolineando l’importanza di fissare obiettivi realistici, assumerci la responsabilita aziendale per le decisioni del team e portare i progetti fino al completamento.
Approccio individuale
Siamo orgogliosi di servire clienti con origini etniche diverse e consideriamo la nostra missione quella di favorire la loro integrazione in prima linea nel business europeo. Adattarsi rapidamente alle fluttuazioni del settore e affrontare le varie sfide sono parte integrante del nostro approccio. Inoltre, sosteniamo una rigorosa etica professionale, ritenendola essenziale per una proficua collaborazione. I nostri servizi sono personalizzati per soddisfare le esigenze specifiche dei clienti internazionali e possono essere ulteriormente personalizzati su richiesta individuale.
Dinamica
In un panorama globale in continua evoluzione, l’Regulated United Europe rimane agile e reattiva. Diamo priorita all’efficienza per onorare il tempo dei nostri clienti, fornendo tempestivamente servizi aziendali, contabili e legali. In un contesto di volatilita, l’agilita di un’azienda ne definisce il successo e noi ci impegniamo a fornire un servizio di qualita nel piu breve tempo possibile. Pertanto, ci impegniamo a rispondere a tutte le richieste dei clienti entro poche ore.
The Czech Republic offers a strong industrial base and excellent logistical opportunities for companies interested in manufacturing and exporting. Important aspects for opening a branch in the Czech Republic include:
• Central European location: Ideal for organising production and distribution of goods throughout Europe.
• Developed infrastructure: High quality roads, railway and air routes.
• Skilled labour force: Availability of technically savvy and multilingual labour.
Conclusion: Estonia, Lithuania, Ireland and the Czech Republic represent attractive options for companies looking to expand their operations in Europe through the opening of branch offices. Each of these countries offers unique advantages that can be utilised depending on the specifics and needs of your business.Choosing the right country and understanding local conditions will be key to successful integration and long-term growth in the European market.
It would seem that Maltese taxation is quite severe and the corporate income tax rate does not suggest that Malta is a low tax jurisdiction. However, this is not the case. The fact is that non-resident companies in Malta are entitled to a refund of taxes paid, which allows us to talk about the lower level of taxation in Malta compared to most countries in the world.
In order to claim a corporate income tax refund, a foreign company must be registered in Malta as a trading or holding company (deriving its income from trading activities or from participation in other organisations, respectively).
In the tax accounting of a Maltese company, the income earned by it must be recorded in one of four tax accounts: “foreign profits”, “Maltese profits”, “profits from immovable property”, “non-taxable income”. Each type of income is taxed according to its own rules. The final amount of tax is recorded in the fifth account “final tax”.
Example. Consider the two most common cases: a Maltese company derives profits from trading activities abroad and from participation in other companies. In either case, these profits are subject to statutory tax at 35 per cent, but the Maltese shareholders are entitled to claim a refund of the tax taken from the dividends distributed. The refund rules differ for different types of income.
If a Maltese company derives income from trading activities outside Malta (and the term “trading” includes both the direct purchase and sale of goods and the provision of services), its shareholders are entitled, upon receipt of the dividend, to apply for a refund of 6/7th of the tax previously paid in Malta. Therefore, the effective income tax rate will be 5 per cent.
Make sure you enter the (*) required information where indicated. HTML code is not allowed.