EU Inc. - Incorporating in the EU in 48 Hours

On 18 March 2026, the European Commission formally presented EU Inc. — a single, harmonised corporate framework for all EU member states. Long awaited and widely referred to as the "28th Regime", this proposal has the potential to fundamentally transform how businesses are incorporated and scaled across Europe, including for Turkish entrepreneurs seeking to access the EU market.

What is EU Inc.?

EU Inc. is an optional, unified European corporate framework designed to address the EU's currently fragmented legal landscape — 27 different national company laws and over 60 legal forms. It does not replace existing national structures but offers an additional, streamlined alternative alongside them.

Key Features

  • Registration within 48 hours: A company can be incorporated in any EU member state, from anywhere in the world, for less than EUR 100.
  • No minimum share capital: The EUR 120,000 capital threshold of the existing SE (Societas Europaea) is eliminated entirely.
  • Once-only reporting: Company information is submitted only once; tax identification and VAT numbers are issued automatically.
  • Fully digital by default: All corporate processes are conducted digitally throughout the company's entire lifecycle.
  • Central EU register: A unified EU-level interface connects national business registers; a new central registry will be established.

What Does This Mean for Turkish Entrepreneurs?

The EU Inc. proposal carries three significant implications for Turkish businesses with European ambitions:

  • Fast-track EU market entry: Until now, Turkish founders looking to establish a presence in Europe faced complex choices: which member state to incorporate in, how to comply with local law, and how to structure for multi-market growth. EU Inc. resolves all of these questions within a single framework.
  • Easier access to European capital: European investors and venture capital funds make decisions faster when they encounter a familiar, harmonised structure. EU Inc. can directly improve Turkish startups' access to EU-based funding.
  • A bridge between Turkey and the EU: For companies operating in both Turkey and the EU, EU Inc. may offer the most efficient holding structure — a single EU-level entity alongside Turkish operations, without the complexity of navigating multiple national regimes.

Timeline and Next Steps

The proposal was formally submitted to the European Parliament and the Council on 18 March 2026. The Commission is targeting political agreement by end of 2026, with entry into force anticipated in 2027, though no precise date has been confirmed.

As EU Inc. is being introduced as a regulation rather than a directive, member states can adopt it by qualified majority — no unanimity is required. This significantly accelerates the legislative process.

Our Position as GEMS Schindhelm

As a member of the Schindhelm Alliance — with offices across Germany, Austria, and other European jurisdictions — GEMS Schindhelm is uniquely positioned to manage EU Inc. incorporation processes on a cross-border basis, end to end. We are actively monitoring the legislative process and preparing now to help our clients take the right first step once the regime enters into force.



Author: Gürkan Erdebil