EU Inc.: the Commission's proposal to unlock the full potential of the Single Market for Europe's entrepreneurs

The European Commission has its proposal for EU Inc.: a new, optional European corporate framework that forms the cornerstone of the 28th regime.

For too many entrepreneurs and innovative companies, expanding across EU borders means navigating 27 national legal systems and more than 60 company forms. This complexity can delay company formation for weeks or months, slowing growth, raising costs and discouraging scale. EU Inc. offers a single, harmonised set of corporate rules that companies can choose instead of navigating multiple national regimes.

Under the proposal, entrepreneurs would be able to register a company in under 48 hours, for less than €100, with no minimum share capital - fully online and from any Member State. The framework is digital by default across the full business lifecycle, from set-up through to scaling and winding down, with simplified procedures for tax registration, share transfers and insolvency.

The proposal also introduces EU-wide employee stock option plans, removes mandatory intermediaries for share transfers and provides full access to the Single Market. National employment, social and tax laws continue to apply in full.

A complementary Communication outlines further measures including the European Business Wallet, specialised courts for EU Inc. disputes and cross-border telework provisions for start-ups and scale-ups.

The proposal now moves to the European Parliament and the Council, with the Commission calling for agreement by the end of 2026.

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