Top Countries to Set Up a Company

Establishing a successful company in Europe calls for meticulous preparation and a firm grasp of local regulations. A successful launch requires careful planning and preparation, including making sure you have all the required paperwork, knowing how much it will cost, and how long it will take. The top 10 countries to set up a company in 2025, considering reputation, taxation, and operational costs:

1. United States
- Reputation: One of the best globally, especially for startups and tech businesses.
- Taxation: Federal corporate tax is 21%, but states like Delaware, Wyoming, and Nevada offer tax advantages.
- Cost: Moderate; compliance costs exist but are manageable, especially for LLCs.
- Best for: Tech startups, SaaS, finance, and access to U.S. venture capital.

2. United Kingdom
- Reputation: Excellent; highly respected in international trade and finance.
- Taxation: 19% corporate tax (set to rise to 25% in some cases).
- Cost: Moderate; reasonable setup fees, but compliance can be expensive over time.
- Best for: Financial services, tech companies, and global trade.

3. Singapore
- Reputation: A major global financial hub with political and economic stability.
- Taxation: 17% corporate tax, but many tax incentives for startups.
- Cost: High; office rent and workforce costs are expensive.
- Best for: International trade, fintech, and global headquarters.

4. Estonia
- Reputation: Growing rapidly, especially for digital businesses.
- Taxation: 0% corporate tax on retained earnings; only taxed on distributions.
- Cost: Very low; e-Residency program allows you to run a business remotely.
- Best for: Digital nomads, SaaS companies, and remote entrepreneurs.

5. United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
- Reputation: High; known for its strong economy and business-friendly environment.
- Taxation: 0% corporate tax in Free Zones; some mainland businesses subject to 9% tax.
- Cost: High setup costs but long-term tax savings.
- Best for: Crypto, e-commerce, international trade, and wealthy entrepreneurs.

6. Ireland
- Reputation: Excellent, especially within the EU; chosen by major firms like Google and Apple.
- Taxation: 12.5% corporate tax, one of the lowest in the EU.
- Cost: Moderate to high; labor costs and rent can be expensive.
- Best for: EU market access, financial services, and multinational companies.

7. Hong Kong - Reputation: Strong financial hub with a business-friendly legal system.
- Taxation: 8.25% for first HKD 2 million, then 16.5%; no VAT or capital gains tax.
- Cost: Moderate; rent is high, but overall tax benefits offset costs.
- Best for: Trading companies, finance, and Asia-based businesses.

8. Canada
- Reputation: Very high; strong economy and legal framework.
- Taxation: 15% federal corporate tax + provincial taxes.
- Cost: High operational costs but access to U.S. and EU markets.
- Best for: AI, fintech, and startups looking for government support.

9. Netherlands
- Reputation: Highly respected in international business.
- Taxation: 19% corporate tax on income up to €200,000; 25.8% for higher profits.
- Cost: High; labor and rent are expensive, but business efficiency is excellent.
- Best for: EU-based companies, logistics, and international trading.

10. Switzerland
- Reputation: One of the most reputable and politically stable countries for business.
- Taxation: Varies by canton (8.5% federal corporate tax, with additional regional taxes).
- Cost: Very high; one of the most expensive places to run a company.
- Best for: High-net-worth individuals, finance, and pharmaceuticals.

Best Countries Based on Business Priorities

Priority

Global Reputation & Credibility: USA, UK, Switzerland
Low Taxation & Cost Efficiency: Estonia, UAE, Hong Kong
EU Market Access: Ireland, Netherlands
Tech & Startups: USA, Canada, Singapore
Remote & Digital Business: Estonia, UAE

Indotco International

Top Countries to Set Up a Company