Europe is more than just a continent – it’s a launchpad for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to scale globally. With over 500 million consumers, stable governments, high digital adoption, and pro-business policies, it’s no surprise that startups and SMEs around the world are turning toward Europe to plant their international roots.
If you’re thinking about expanding your business to Europe or starting from scratch there, this guide by Exportis will walk you through every major step — from choosing the right country to growing your footprint across the continent.
Why Europe is a Goldmine for Entrepreneurs
Europe combines economic strength with rich diversity. It offers access to the EU’s single market, which allows you to operate freely across 27 countries with minimal barriers. Add to that robust infrastructure, investor-friendly laws, innovation hubs, and thriving startup ecosystems, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for international success.
Some compelling reasons why Europe should be on your radar:
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Economic Stability: Countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands have world-class economies.
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Ease of Business: Nations such as Estonia and Ireland have made starting and running a business surprisingly seamless.
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Innovation Support: Access to EU innovation grants, startup incubators, and accelerator programs.
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Talent Pool: A highly educated, multilingual workforce at competitive rates.
Europe is not one-size-fits-all, and that’s what makes it powerful. You can find a niche for your product or service that matches your industry, budget, and scale.
Step 1: Choose the Right Country for Your Business Goals
The first decision is also the most strategic. Different countries in Europe offer different incentives, tax rates, visa policies, and market dynamics. Here’s a glimpse:
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Germany: Best for manufacturing, engineering, and B2B SaaS. Home to the Mittelstand and strong logistics.
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Netherlands: Popular for tech, e-commerce, and logistics. Excellent international connectivity and English proficiency.
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France: Strong in fashion, luxury, FMCG, and green energy. Offers innovation grants and R&D tax credits.
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Estonia: Digital-first governance, e-Residency program for remote entrepreneurs, ideal for solopreneurs and digital services.
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Ireland: Low corporate tax, English-speaking workforce, and major tech company presence.
At Exportis, we help you assess the market-product fit, legal structure, and strategic opportunities before locking your ideal European destination.
Step 2: Pick the Right Business Structure
Your legal structure will determine taxes, liability, compliance responsibilities, and ease of operations. Common types of business entities include:
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Sole Proprietorship: Low cost, minimal paperwork, but unlimited liability.
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Limited Liability Company (LLC / GmbH / SARL): Most preferred structure due to limited liability, ideal for startups and SMEs.
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Branch Office: If your company is already registered outside Europe and you want a local presence.
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Subsidiary: A separate legal entity, usually set up for long-term investment and operations.
Each structure has pros and cons depending on how much liability you want to assume, whether you’re raising funds, and the nature of your business.
Step 3: Company Registration & Incorporation
Once you’ve chosen your country and structure, it’s time to get your business officially registered. While timelines and requirements vary, here’s a common process:
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Choose a unique business name and reserve it.
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Draft Articles of Association (or Memorandum of Association).
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Appoint directors and shareholders.
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Deposit share capital in a business bank account.
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Submit documents to the local Company Registrar.
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Register for tax and social security systems.
Some countries like Estonia and Lithuania allow full digital registration, while others may require in-person signatures or notarized documents. Exportis takes care of the entire incorporation process, including translations, compliance checks, and bank account setup.
Step 4: Open a Local Business Bank Account
A European bank account is essential for transactions, taxation, and regulatory compliance. To open one, you’ll typically need:
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Proof of company registration
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KYC documents (passport, address proof)
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Proof of business address
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Shareholder and director details
Modern options like Wise Business, N26, and Revolut Business offer fast, remote-friendly onboarding, while traditional banks offer greater access to funding options and local credibility.
Step 5: Taxation & VAT Registration
Once your business is legally recognized, you must register with the local tax authorities.
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Get a Tax Identification Number (TIN) for corporate tax purposes.
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Register for VAT (mandatory if your annual revenue exceeds a threshold or you sell goods/services in the EU).
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Understand local tax deadlines for quarterly or annual reporting.
VAT in Europe can be tricky, especially if you’re selling digital goods or cross-border services. We help you set up and stay compliant with the OSS (One Stop Shop) VAT system that streamlines EU-wide sales tax collection.
Step 6: Immigration & Work Permits (If Required)
If you plan to move to Europe as a founder, manager, or investor, you’ll need a residence permit or business visa. Several countries offer entrepreneur/startup visas, such as:
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France’s French Tech Visa
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Netherlands’ Startup Visa
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Portugal’s D7/D2 Entrepreneur Visa
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Germany’s Self-Employment Visa
Exportis partners with immigration experts in each country to ensure a smooth visa process for founders, families, and key employees.
Step 7: Hire Talent Locally or Remotely
You can either:
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Hire full-time local employees
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Use contractors or freelancers
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Partner with a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) to manage HR and compliance without setting up a local entity
Europe has strict labor laws, so onboarding, payroll, insurance, and social security must be handled with precision. Exportis can serve as your Employer of Record (EOR) to handle compliant hiring in over 12+ countries.
Step 8: Build a Local Presence & Market Entry Strategy
Your product may be great, but Europe is a diverse market — localization is key.
Here’s what we recommend:
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Localize your website and content for different languages and cultures.
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Run geo-targeted digital campaigns across channels like Google, Meta, and LinkedIn.
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Set up customer support in local time zones and languages.
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Participate in trade shows, B2B events, and government-led business delegations.
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Use country-specific marketplaces like Cdiscount (France), Allegro (Poland), or OTTO (Germany) if you’re in eCommerce.
At Exportis, we guide you through every element — branding, legal translation, cultural nuances, customer acquisition, and growth tracking.
Step 9: Stay Compliant – Ongoing Reporting & Audits
You’re live — but that’s just the beginning. You must now ensure:
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Timely filing of tax returns and financial statements
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Annual audits (mandatory in many countries)
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GDPR compliance if collecting user data
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ESG and sustainability reporting (optional but increasingly valued)
We help you set up a robust backend system so that your business not only grows but thrives in full compliance with local and EU-wide regulations.
How Exportis Makes It Easy
Starting a business in Europe sounds complex, but it doesn’t have to be. Exportis offers end-to-end support tailored to Indian entrepreneurs and international businesses. From choosing the right country and structure to handling compliance, recruitment, and marketing — we’re your go-to global expansion partner.
Our services include:
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Strategic Country & Market Selection
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Company Incorporation & Legal Setup
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Business Visa & Immigration
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Accounting, Tax & Compliance
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Hiring & HR Management
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Local Marketing & Launch Planning
Ready to Expand to Europe?
Let’s make your European dream a reality. Whether you’re exploring expansion or ready to launch, Exportis is here to guide every step of the journey.
