The landscape of business registration across 48 leading economies reveals significant variations in efficiency and cost. New Zealand maintains its position as the global leader with a streamlined one-procedure system completed in 1-2 days. Estonia and Singapore follow closely, demonstrating the growing importance of digital infrastructure in business registration.
This article is part of our Business Attraction Index Series where we try to figure out the top countries to start and grow your business.
Below is our data for the top economies in terms of the time, procedures, and cost associated with starting a business in 2026. This is based on thorough research, analysis of our own and clients’ first-hand experiences. Note that these numbers do not reflect potential holdups by banks, government institutions and other client-dependent roadblocks. For example: if you are a resident of the Netherlands it will not take more than a week to set up a limited company there. However, as a foreigner this can add many weeks to the process.
| Rank | Economy | Time (Days) | Procedures | Cost (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 1-2 | 1 | 250-450 |
| 2 | Estonia | 3-5 | 3 | 250-600 |
| 3 | Singapore | 2-3 | 3 | 400-800 |
| 4 | Hong Kong SAR | 1-3 | 2 | 350-750 |
| 5 | Denmark | 3-5 | 3 | 720-1500 |
| 6 | Netherlands | 3-5 | 5 | 1500-3000 |
| 7 | Latvia | 2-4 | 2 | 250-600 |
| 8 | United Kingdom | 4-6 | 2 | 500-1200 |
| 9 | Georgia | 2-3 | 2 | 100-300 |
| 10 | Canada | 2-5 | 2 | 400-900 |
| 11 | Lithuania | 3-5 | 3 | 300-600 |
| 12 | Sweden | 3-7 | 3 | 1800-3000 |
| 13 | Australia | 2-4 | 2 | 400-900 |
| 14 | Norway | 3-7 | 4 | 2000-3500 |
| 15 | Finland | 3-7 | 3 | 1500-2800 |
| 16 | Ireland | 4-7 | 3 | 500-1200 |
| 17 | Korea, Rep. | 3-5 | 3 | 350-850 |
| 18 | Rwanda | 4-6 | 2 | 100-300 |
| 19 | North Macedonia | 4-7 | 2 | 150-400 |
| 20 | Iceland | 4-7 | 4 | 1500-2500 |
| 21 | United States | 4-7 | 5 | 800-2000 |
| 22 | Belgium | 4-7 | 6 | 1500-3000 |
| 23 | Slovenia | 6-9 | 6 | 800-1500 |
| 24 | Portugal | 6-9 | 6 | 600-1200 |
| 25 | Taiwan | 4-7 | 5 | 300-700 |
| 26 | UAE | 7-10 | 4 | 3000-6000 |
| 27 | Malaysia | 3-6 | 4 | 200-500 |
| 28 | Mauritius | 3-5 | 3 | 150-400 |
| 29 | Kazakhstan | 9-12 | 3 | 150-400 |
| 30 | Armenia | 7-10 | 4 | 150-400 |
| 31 | Moldova | 7-10 | 4 | 150-400 |
| 32 | Montenegro | 6-9 | 6 | 200-500 |
| 33 | Thailand | 6-9 | 7 | 200-500 |
| 34 | Turkey | 5-8 | 8 | 300-800 |
| 35 | Azerbaijan | 8-11 | 4 | 150-400 |
| 36 | Germany | 8-12 | 9 | 2000-4000 |
| 37 | Austria | 8-12 | 7 | 2000-4500 |
| 38 | Switzerland | 10-14 | 6 | 2500-5000 |
| 39 | Japan | 10-14 | 6 | 1500-3000 |
| 40 | Spain | 12-16 | 8 | 1200-3000 |
| 41 | Czech Republic | 14-18 | 7 | 800-1500 |
| 42 | Slovak Republic | 16-20 | 7 | 800-1500 |
| 43 | Serbia | 8-11 | 7 | 200-500 |
| 44 | China | 18-25 | 9 | 400-1000 |
| 45 | Israel | 20-25 | 5 | 800-1800 |
| 46 | Poland | 20-25 | 9 | 400-900 |
| 47 | Bahrain | 5-8 | 8 | 500-1200 |
| 48 | France | 25-35 | 7 | 2000-4000 |
A few trends based on the above:
- Nordic efficiency comes at a price: While Scandinavian countries offer well-organized processes, costs range from €1,500-3,500
- Digital pioneers: Estonia, Singapore, and the Netherlands leverage full or partial digital government services for faster processing
- Cost disparity: Eastern European nations generally maintain lower fees (€150-600) compared to Western European counterparts (€1,500-5,000)
- Time investment varies: From New Zealand’s 1-2 days to France’s 25-35 days
Frequently Asked Questions
What business structures are available in Europe?
Common structures include Private Limited Companies (Ltd/GmbH/BV), PLCs, Sole Proprietorships, and Branches. Compare legal entities here.
How long does full operational setup take in 2026?
Legal incorporation takes 1–5 days in digital-first hubs like the Netherlands or Estonia. However, full readiness—including VAT registration and banking setup—typically adds 2 to 4 weeks depending on the jurisdiction.
Do I need to be physically present?
In the majority of cases, we can establish your company via Power of Attorney. While some traditional banks may still require a one-time in-person meeting, digital banks and EMIs allow for fully remote verification.
What is the minimum capital requirement in 2026?
Capital requirements range from €0.01 in the Netherlands and Estonia to €25,000 in Germany. For US entrepreneurs under the DAFT treaty, a minimum investment of €4,500 is required.
Can I open a bank account remotely?
Yes, digital providers allow for 100% remote account opening. For Tier-1 traditional banks, remote options exist but are subject to stricter due diligence and specific jurisdiction rules. Learn more about banking here.
What about corporate tax implications?
Statutory rates vary from 9% to 31%. In 2026, it is vital to weigh headline rates against integrated tax rates and R&D incentives like the Innovation Box.
Historical comparison
The last comprehensive global overview was the World Bank’s final report in 2020. While the data has shifted, their map remains a foundational resource for understanding the long-term evolution of business registration:
