3 Things New and Foreign Founders Get Wrong When Registering a Company in Luxembourg

I see this often, and it usually causes unnecessary delays:

1️⃣ Starting activity before the business permit (autorisation d’établissement) is approved. It’s often assumed the permit is a formality that follows registration; it’s actually required before you begin operating.

2️⃣ Underestimating how many steps involve a notary. From the deed of incorporation to capital deposit certification, timelines can stretch if documents aren’t fully prepared in advance.

3️⃣ Assuming zero revenue means no VAT obligations. Even a company with €0 turnover still has to formally communicate that to the Luxembourg VAT authorities; skipping it isn’t optional.

None of these are complicated once you know them, they just catch people off guard when nobody mentions them early.

If you’re setting up in Luxembourg and want a second pair of eyes on any of this, happy to help.