Comment by Kim_Bruning | Hacker News Reader

Comment by Kim_Bruning | Hacker News Reader

I looked into GmbH (german) , BV (dutch) , and OU (estonian) . GmbH seems very unpleasant. BV and OU are easier to obtain. But BV requires your primary place of business to be the Netherlands, which isn't always practical when you're trying to extend your activities internationally. OU is supposed to be better for international operations, but -because it's a single country initiative- creates new and interesting tax problems.

At this time, the whole system seems to revolve around geographic location. As long as you stay put you're sort of fine, but if you move around within the EU, the law doesn't stay stable around you. This is impractical.

EU Inc seems to be a new initiative to fix a lot of the patchwork problems, but doesn't seem to be live yet. ( https://commission.europa.eu/topics/business-and-industry/do... )

I'm told that interstate commerce in the US isn't always necessarily easier, mind. Maybe the EU can take some lessons learned.

> But BV requires your primary place of business to be the Netherlands, which isn't always practical when you're trying to extend your activities internationally

You bill from the Netherlands and I think this is the only thing required. Uber in Europe charges your cards from Uber BV for example. And I think Uber is pretty international.

It can be done, but there's contortions to sort out to fit a square peg in a round hole.

If someone has experience doing it right, I'd absolutely be willing to pay for their time to exchange advice.

Especially as a solo entrepreneur, your llc would have to have substance in the Netherlands. Otherwise, it risks getting requalified as a country-where-you-reside llc.

Why would you otherwise voluntarily subject yourself to the extreme complexity of countries like Belgium or Germany if you could just set up a simple Bulgarian or Estonian llc?

As far as I'm aware , EU inc would be an opt in initiative meaning that it likely wont change anything in Germany. DE has a a very powerful notary lobby that will oppose this at all costs.

I read that as the founder being able to opt into choosing EU Inc, not that only some EU member countries would offer it.

edit: it's a regulation, not a directive, so it will be directly available in all countries, without each country creating its own laws to implement it. But it'll take until 2028 or so until it's actually be available.

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