Shelf Company for Sale in Europe
A shelf company for sale in Europe is a clean, pre-registered company that has never traded and is ready to transfer to a new owner in days. Müller Konsult offers ready-made companies across the German-speaking markets and Liechtenstein, with full support from the notarised transfer to banking and tax. This page is your starting point; choose the country and entity that fit, and we handle the rest.
Two quick clarifications, because the phrase “shelf company for sale” is used loosely online. This is not a US-style aged “credit” shelf corporation, and it is not an operating business for sale on a marketplace. It is a clean European entity — most often a German, Austrian, Swiss, or Liechtenstein company — sold precisely because it is ready and unencumbered.
What is a shelf company?
A shelf company, also called a ready-made company or Vorratsgesellschaft, is a business that was legally incorporated and registered but never traded. It has no debts, no contracts, and no operating history. It sits “on the shelf” until a buyer takes it over. Because the company already exists in the commercial register, you can acquire it and start using it almost immediately, instead of waiting out a full formation.
Why buy a shelf company in Europe?
- Speed. The company is already registered, so you skip the formation lead time.
- Certainty. You take over an entity that legally exists and can sign contracts in its own name.
- A clean slate. Reputable shelf companies are debt-free and litigation-free, confirmed by due diligence.
- EU and DACH market access. A European company opens doors to banking, suppliers, and clients across the region.
- Remote completion. Non-resident and non-EU buyers can complete the purchase without travelling.
Where we offer shelf companies (DACH and Liechtenstein)
We focus on four jurisdictions, and unlike the broad 56-country portals we publish the real minimum capital for each, so you can compare properly:
| Country | Common entities | Minimum capital | EU/EEA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | GmbH, UG, GmbH & Co. KG | GmbH €25,000 (≥€12,500 paid in) | EU |
| Austria | GmbH | €10,000 (≥€5,000 paid in) | EU |
| Switzerland | GmbH, AG | GmbH CHF 20,000 / AG CHF 100,000 (≥CHF 50,000 paid) | Non-EU |
| Liechtenstein | AG, holding | AG CHF 50,000 (fully paid) | EEA |
The figures come from the German Limited Liability Companies Act (GmbHG §5), the Austrian 2024 reform, the Swiss Code of Obligations, and the Liechtenstein Persons and Companies Act (PGR). Explore each market: shelf company Germany, buy a GmbH in Austria, buy a shelf company in Switzerland, and buy a shelf company in Liechtenstein.
Entity types available
Beyond the standard limited company, we offer the full range:
- GmbH — the standard German/Austrian/Swiss limited liability company. See GmbH for sale.
- UG (mini-GmbH) — a lower-capital German entity. See buy a UG.
- AG — a stock corporation, used in Switzerland and Liechtenstein and for larger German businesses. See buy an AG in Switzerland.
- SE (Societas Europaea) — the EU-wide public company (minimum capital €120,000). See buy an SE company.
- Holding companies — for group and asset structures. See buy a holding company.
- Aged shelf companies — older registration dates. See aged shelf companies.
- Shelf companies with a bank account — ready to trade from day one. See shelf company with bank account.
- 1. Consultation — We propose the right company and structure for your goals.
- 2. Due diligence — We confirm the company is clean, debt-free and compliant.
- 3. Notarial transfer — Ownership passes to you — remotely if needed (GmbHG §15).
- 4. Setup — Banking, tax, registered address and director are put in place.
How the purchase works
- Consultation. We propose a clean company that fits your jurisdiction and purpose.
- Due diligence. We review the entity’s legal, financial, and tax position.
- Share purchase agreement. We draft and sign the SPA.
- Ownership transfer. Ownership passes by share transfer; for a German GmbH this must be notarised (GmbHG §15). Remote and power-of-attorney options are available.
- Register update. The new owner, managing director, and registered office are filed in the relevant register (Handelsregister, Firmenbuch, or the Liechtenstein register), and beneficial owners are recorded.
- Banking and tax. We help open or transfer a business account and complete tax registration.
- Ongoing support. Accounting, filings, and compliance going forward.
What you need to provide (KYC and AML)
European anti-money-laundering rules require us to verify who is buying. You will provide identification of the beneficial owners, details of the incoming managing director and shareholders, the planned business activity, and proof of address. We coordinate the checks so the file is ready before the transfer.
Timeline
For most shelf companies the transfer can happen immediately, with full handover typically a few days after the appointment once KYC is cleared. Buyers outside the EU can complete everything remotely. We do not promise a fixed hour count, because the realistic pace depends on your documents and the notary or registry.
- €25,000 — Germany — GmbH
- €10,000 — Austria — GmbH
- CHF 20,000 — Switzerland — GmbH
- CHF 50,000 — Liechtenstein — AG
Bar length is scaled to an approximate EUR equivalent; capital is stated in each country’s statutory currency. Sources: GmbHG §5, Austrian GesRÄG 2023, Swiss CO, Liechtenstein PGR.
What it costs, included versus extra
Many providers either hide prices or quote a single “from” figure. We prefer to show the structure:
| Always included | Optional extras |
|---|---|
| The statutory share capital for the chosen entity | A business bank account |
| Notarial and commercial-register fees | A VAT number |
| The full company documents and transfer | A virtual office / registered address |
| A nominee or resident director (required in CH/LI) | |
| An aged company (older registration date) | |
| Ongoing tax, accounting, and compliance |
Remember the capital is not a fee — it belongs to the company. For a full breakdown, see our shelf company cost guide.
Want a recommendation for your situation? Request a free callback with our lawyers, with no commitment. Talk to our team.
Buying from abroad, as a foreigner or non-EU citizen
You do not need to live in Europe, or be an EU citizen, to own a European company. With remote notarisation and power of attorney, the whole purchase can be completed from your home country. Note that Swiss and Liechtenstein companies require at least one resident director or representative, which we arrange. Founders from specific markets can see our dedicated guidance, for example the UK, US, India, and the UAE. If you are starting from scratch, see how to buy a company in Germany as a foreigner.
What “clean” really means: due diligence
“Clean” and “debt-free” are easy to claim, so it is worth knowing what stands behind them. Before any purchase we run due diligence on the company’s legal, financial, and tax position, confirming there are no debts, litigation, tax arrears, or hidden obligations. A genuine shelf company has never traded, so there is nothing to inherit, but we verify rather than assume, and we tell you exactly what the record shows.
Ongoing compliance and after-sale support
A European company carries real ongoing obligations that breadth-focused portals rarely spell out. We stay with you for them: bookkeeping and accounting, annual financial statements and their filing, tax returns, beneficial-owner and register upkeep, amendments to the company, and legal representation including liquidation if you ever wind it down. The point of buying from a full-service provider is that the company stays in good standing long after the handover.
Why a focused DACH provider beats a 56-country portal
Some competitors advertise shelf companies in 56 or even 70-plus jurisdictions. Breadth sounds reassuring, but in practice those pages are price-opaque, light on the actual law, and often lean toward offshore. We take the opposite approach: deep focus on Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, lawyer-led, with the real capital figures and statutory basis on the page, transparent pricing, and genuine after-sale support. For a region where compliance and banking are demanding, depth beats a long country list.
Frequently asked questions
What is a shelf company in Europe?
A clean, pre-registered company that was never traded, kept ready to transfer to a new owner. We focus on Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Is this the same as a US shelf corporation?
No. US “shelf corporations” are often aged entities marketed for credit-building; we sell clean European companies for genuine market entry.
Which European country should I choose?
It depends on tax, market, and capital. Germany for the largest market, Austria for low-cost EU entry, Switzerland for low tax and banking, Liechtenstein for holdings.
Which entity should I choose?
A GmbH suits most businesses; a UG for low capital; an AG or SE for larger or cross-border structures; a holding for groups.
How much capital is required?
It varies: Germany €25,000, Austria €10,000, Switzerland CHF 20,000 (GmbH) or CHF 100,000 (AG), Liechtenstein CHF 50,000 (AG). In a shelf company the capital is already paid in.
Is buying a shelf company legal?
Yes. It is a standard, regulated service with full KYC and due diligence.
Is it worth it, and what are the disadvantages?
It is worth it when speed and certainty matter. The trade-off is a service fee on top of the capital, versus forming a company more slowly yourself.
How fast can I take over?
Often immediately, with full handover usually a few days after the appointment.
Can a non-EU citizen buy a European company?
Yes. The purchase can be completed remotely, with a resident director arranged where Switzerland or Liechtenstein require one.
Does it come with a bank account?
Some do; otherwise we help open one. See shelf company with bank account.
Can I get a VAT number too?
Yes, which lets you trade across the EU immediately.
What does it cost?
The capital plus notarial, register, and service fees, with optional extras. The capital belongs to the company. See the cost guide.
Can I buy an aged company?
Yes, with an older registration date; see aged shelf companies.
Do Switzerland and Liechtenstein need a resident director?
Yes, at least one resident director or representative, which we arrange.
What ongoing compliance applies?
Accounting, annual financial statements, tax returns, and register/beneficial-owner upkeep. We handle these.
What is the difference between a shelf and a shell company?
A shelf company is a clean firm offered for sale; a shell company is one with no active operations. See shell vs shelf company.
Official sources
- German Limited Liability Companies Act (GmbHG) — gesetze-im-internet.de
- Swiss Code of Obligations (company capital) — fedlex.admin.ch
- Liechtenstein Persons and Companies Act (PGR) — llv.li
- Council Regulation (EC) No 2157/2001 (SE) — eur-lex.europa.eu
Ready to buy a European company?
Tell us your goals and we will recommend the country, entity, and package. Müller Konsult · Königsallee 27, 40212 Düsseldorf · +49 211 5403 8800 · info@gmbhforsale.com · Request a callback
Reviewed by Stefan Stelthove, Corporate & Commercial Lawyer, Müller Konsult. Last updated 7 June 2026.
Related: GmbH for sale · Shelf company Germany · Buy a shelf company in Switzerland · Aged shelf companies · Shelf company cost guide
