Attractive European Countries for Foreign Investors

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Foreign investment is encouraged throughout Europe and the EU and these types of entrepreneurs benefit from several advantages, as per the jurisdiction’s foreign investment laws. We talk about the main incentives for foreign investors in Germany, the Netherlands and Estonia.

Foreign investments in Germany

Germany has a series of advantages for foreign entrepreneurs, including its location in Europe, easy access to all the EU markets, good infrastructure and a developed R&D regime.

Foreign investments are encouraged in Germany through pre-investment and investment allowances, direct subsidies or reduced interest loans. Germany has signed more than 100 foreign investment agreements and double tax treaties with countries worldwide, allowing for a convenient degree of investor protection and the avoidance of double taxation (on the same type of income in both jurisdictions).

You can contact a law office specialized in corporate matters in Germany if you are a foreign investor who needs more information on the available advantages and incentives.

Incentives for entrepreneurs in Estonia

Estonia, although a small Baltic country, welcomes foreign investors with an overall attractive business climate, ease of setting up a business, incentives and a number of special investment zones. The country is home to a large number of foreign branches and subsidiaries. Investments are further encouraged in four special free trade zones: Muuga, Paldiski, Sillamae and Valga.

Estonia’s tax system is one that does not provide special tax incentives per se but works in its entirety as a very beneficial regime for investors: it offers indefinite deferral, all undistributed tax profits being tax-exempt.

The steps needed to set up a company in Estonia are easy to follow and all foreign investors are treated as local ones, enjoying the same investment rights. Foreign entrepreneurs can also buy a ready-made company in Estonia. In this case, the set-up process is faster.

Foreign investment laws in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has a multicultural business regime, making it one of the most welcoming countries for foreign entrepreneurs in Europe. There are no restrictions on foreign investments and 100% foreign ownership is permitted.

The types of investment aid in the Netherlands include loans and grants, especially for research and development projects, direct subsidies and interest subsidies, employment premiums for those foreign investors who help create new jobs, export assistance and export financing in some cases. A special tonnage taxation regime is in place for shipping companies and the Netherlands has an “innovation box” regime for companies, allowing for a reduced corporate income tax for profits derived from intellectual property. Investors can use this Dutch tax calculator to see the amount of money they owe in taxes in this country. Like Germany and Estonia, the Netherlands has also signed many foreign investment agreements and double tax treaties.

Different jurisdictions provide different incentives, which may be more suited to some types of businesses. Foreign investors should explore all of the available options before basing their business in a foreign country.

By Andreea Paulsen

© 2017 Andreea Paulsen - All Rights Reserved

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