By Andrew Lambe, 19th March 2026
The European Commission, including Ireland’s EU Commissioner Michael McGrath, announced on 18th March a landmark proposal that could dramatically reshape how companies are formed and operated across the EU. The new structure — known as “EU Inc.” or the 28th Regime — aims to remove perceived barriers to cross‑border expansion and create a seamless, digital, and harmonised corporate framework across all 27 Member States.
Right now, establishing a company that operates in multiple EU countries means potentially navigating 27 legal systems and over 60 different company types, often resulting in delays, duplication, and significant cost. The EU Inc proposal seeks to eliminate complexities and make the EU the easiest place in the world to start and scale a business.
What Is EU Inc?
EU Inc is a proposed optional EU‑wide company type designed to sit alongside existing national structures (such as the Irish LTD). It will provide a single legal framework, enabling high growth businesses to incorporate once and operate EU‑wide without re‑registering in multiple jurisdictions
This structure is especially aimed at startups, scale‑ups, and innovation‑driven companies, but any business will be able to use it if required.
Key Features of the New EU Company Structure
- Set Up an EU Inc Company in Just 48 Hours
One of the most significant aspects of the proposal is ultra‑fast incorporation:
- Fully online
- Completed within 48 hours
- Costs under €100 mentioned
- No minimum share capital
This “European Delaware” concept is central to the Commission’s goal of creating a more startup‑friendly business environment.
- One Harmonised Corporate Rulebook Across Europe
Instead of adapting to national rules in each country, EU Inc companies will follow one unified EU‑wide set of governance and reporting rules.
A new “once‑only” principle means company information is submitted once and shared automatically with authorities across Member States.
- Fully Digital Operations Through the Company Lifecycle
The EU Inc framework is “digital by default,” including:
- Digital incorporation
- Digital filings
- Digital share transfers
- Fully digital liquidation
Even liquidation and insolvency processes will be streamlined, enabling founders to restart quickly if needed.
- Simplified Insolvency for Innovative Companies
Startups qualifying as “innovative” will have access to a simplified insolvency procedure:
- No mandatory insolvency practitioner
- Fast turnaround within 6 months
This supports entrepreneurial risk‑taking by reducing the cost and consequences of business failure
- Free Movement Across the Single Market
An EU Inc company will be able to operate throughout the single market without having to create subsidiaries or branches in each country.
This is especially valuable for tech, e‑commerce, and services companies with cross‑border ambitions.
- New EU Business Register
The proposal includes creating an EU‑wide company register, ensuring transparency and making due‑diligence easier for investors, auditors and compliance professionals.
What Does This Mean for Irish Businesses?
For Irish entrepreneurs and high-potential companies, the EU Inc proposal could bring advantages:
- Faster access to EU markets with reduced administrative overhead
- Lower costs for expansion and ongoing compliance
- More attractive conditions for raising venture investment
- A simpler pathway for high‑growth companies to build pan‑European operations
As Ireland remains a favoured gateway for international business into the EU, EU Inc could further strengthen Ireland’s position as a base for expansion.
Timeline
The European Commission is calling for final approval by the end of 2026. If adopted, rollout will likely begin in 2027 and continue through 2030 we believe. The devil is in the detail, and we believe there are a lot of complex issues to resolve and overcome.
How Company Bureau Can Help
As Ireland’s leading company formation and corporate services provider, Company Bureau is closely monitoring the progress of EU Inc. As the proposal evolves, we will keep our clients updated and will be ready to provide:
- Advisory on whether EU Inc is suitable for your business
- Incorporation and compliance services once the regime is active
- Governance, regulatory and filings support
If you would like to speak to our team about EU Inc or cross‑border structuring, please contact us at formations@companybureau.ie or +353 1 6461625.
Disclaimer: This article is for guidance purposes only. It does not constitute legal or professional advice. No liability is accepted by Company Bureau for any action taken or not taken in reliance on the information set out in this article. Professional or legal advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from any action as a result of this article. Any and all information is subject to change.
