Full ownership in most sectors
Many activities permit 100% foreign ownership, so a Chinese joint-venture partner isn't required. We check your business scope against China's market-access rules before recommending a structure.
CHINA COMPANY REGISTRATION FOR EUROPEAN BUSINESSES
Your own entity.
Inside the Chinese market.
Selling through a distributor or managing suppliers from Europe only goes so far. We help European founders, SMEs and corporate groups register a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE), open a corporate bank account and put the essentials in place, with fixed packages and a written timeline.
Compare packages ↗Shenzhen · Shanghai · Beijing · Wuhan · Hainan · Changsha
Scope and availability confirmed for your city and business activity.
01 / WHY EUROPEAN COMPANIES ESTABLISH IN CHINA
Closer to your suppliers and customers.
Direct control of your supply chain
A local entity can sign contracts, pay suppliers in RMB, carry out quality inspections and issue official invoices (fapiao). Shenzhen sits at the heart of China's electronics and manufacturing ecosystem.
Serve Chinese customers properly
With a Chinese company you can invoice local customers, employ staff and provide after-sales service in China, rather than relying solely on agents.
A route to living in China
A qualifying company can support an eligible founder's work permit application. Our company-and-visa package brings both into one plan, although the visa is assessed separately.
Sources: Foreign investment access rules · Shenzhen foreign investment and industry policy
02 / FOR EUROPEAN OWNERS
Hold it personally, or through your European company?
Your WFOE can be owned by you as an individual or by an existing European entity, such as a GmbH, SAS, BV, SRL, SL or ApS. Both are common. The choice affects the documents China requires and how profits are taxed at home, so it is worth deciding early with your adviser.
Owned by you personally
- The simplest document set: mainly a passport copy, signed forms and address evidence.
- Dividends to foreign individuals face China's individual dividend rules, reduced where your country's tax treaty applies.
- Your home country taxes the dividend under its own rules, usually with a credit for Chinese tax.
Owned by your European company
- Requires corporate documents such as a recent commercial register extract (for example a Handelsregisterauszug, Kbis extract or KvK extract) and articles, apostilled and translated.
- China's standard 10% dividend withholding can drop to 5% under many EU treaties for a company shareholder with a substantial holding.
- Group reporting, home-country CFC rules and, for large groups, the global minimum tax should be reviewed by your adviser.
Check EU and national economic security rules.
In January 2025 the European Commission recommended that member states review outbound investments in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies, and EU export-control and sanctions rules continue to apply. Most trading, sourcing, consulting and service businesses are unaffected, but if your activity touches these areas, take advice in your home country before you invest.
General information, not legal or tax advice for your country. European Commission: investment screening · European Commission: Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
China, or another location?
Download our comparison guides to see how a China company compares with the other locations you may be considering.
China vs Germany
PDF coming soonChina vs France
PDF coming soonChina vs Vietnam
PDF coming soonChina vs Thailand
PDF coming soonChina vs Dubai
PDF coming soonChina vs the United States
PDF coming soonChina vs Australia
PDF coming soonEvery business is different, so compare the rules, costs and practical requirements for your own activity. A guide is a starting point; current requirements need a case-by-case review.
03 / CHOOSE YOUR PACKAGE
Two packages. Every inclusion listed.
Register your company and open a bank account, or add work visa support for one person. We confirm your business activity, ownership, premises and requirements before accepting your case.
REGISTER YOUR COMPANY · NO VISA
Company Registration & Bank Account
For European founders and companies that need a Chinese entity and corporate bank account, without a work visa.
€2,230approx. · one-off fee, invoiced as RMB18,478
Includes a 1-year virtual office
What's included
- Company name search and reservation
- Articles of Association drafted
- Virtual office for 1 year
- Formal lease agreement
- Registration submission and official fees
- Company seal (å…¬ç« ) and financial seal (è´¢åŠ¡ç« )
- Bank account documents prepared
- VIP bank account opening service
Budget separately: accounting and tax filing from about €180/month (RMB1,500). No work visa service is included. Address suitability depends on your city and business activity; renewal terms are confirmed in your quotation.
Choose registration & bank account ↗RELOCATE TO CHINA
Company Registration, Bank Account & Work Visa
For eligible founders who will register their company and live and work in China.
€2,270approx. · one-off fee, invoiced as RMB18,869
Includes work visa support for 1 person
What's included
- Company name search and reservation
- Articles of Association drafted
- Registration submission and official fees
- Company seal (å…¬ç« ) and financial seal (è´¢åŠ¡ç« )
- Bank account documents prepared
- VIP bank account opening service
- Work visa application support for 1 person, targeting 1-year permission (subject to approval)
Required separately: a serviced office with a formal lease and property ownership certificate, from about €360/month (RMB3,000) depending on city and room. Accounting and tax filing from about €180/month. Both payable monthly. Medical examination excluded.
Choose registration, bank & visa ↗Euro amounts are approximate at RMB8.3 = €1; we quote and invoice in RMB. Registered capital is money you commit to fund your own company, not part of our fee. Sector licences, apostilles, sworn translations, international courier costs and any applicable service taxes are confirmed in your quotation. Banks and immigration authorities make their own decisions.
Know your ongoing costs.
Budget for your address or office, monthly accounting and tax filings alongside the setup fee. Depending on your activity, you may also need sector permits or payroll. We flag these when we review your plans.
View accounting plans ↗04 / FROM PLAN TO REGISTERED COMPANY
How to register a company in China, step by step.
- Share your plan. Tell us your nationality, business activity, preferred city, shareholders and whether anyone will work in China. We review eligibility and confirm the package before accepting your case.
- Agree the company details. Settle the company name, business scope, ownership, registered capital, officers and registered address.
- Sign and apostille. We prepare the registration forms and Articles of Association. You sign them, have your European documents apostilled and courier them to us.
- Submit for registration. We file the application and respond to any requests for clarification or further documents.
- Licence, seals and bank account. Once approved, we collect your business licence, arrange the company seals, support the bank account opening and complete tax and accounting registration.
- Begin operating. Obtain any activity-specific licences before trading. If your package includes a visa, the work permit, Z visa and residence permit follow.
Allow around 10–20 working days for registration once documents are complete and acceptable and the address is confirmed. This is an estimate, not an official deadline. Apostilles, translations, courier, banking, special licences and immigration can add time.
How the China work visa works ↗YOUR DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
What we need from you.
We tailor the final checklist to your ownership structure, city and business activity. Most European applicants start with the following.
Your company plan
- A few preferred company names and a clear description of the company's activities.
- Shareholder names, shareholdings and the amount of capital you plan to commit.
- Details and ID for the legal representative and other officers (director, supervisor).
- The proposed registered address and lease or premises evidence.
Your supporting documents
- Clear passport copies for individual shareholders and officers.
- For a European company shareholder: a recent commercial register extract, articles of association and evidence of authorised signatories, apostilled.
- Signed application forms, Articles of Association and authorisations.
- Any required prior approvals, licences and certified Chinese translations.
How apostilles work for EU documents
Since November 2023, China accepts apostilles from other Apostille Convention members, which include all EU member states. Each country designates its own competent authority, often a court, ministry or regional government office. Check the exact document list with us before ordering apostilles.
Choose realistic registered capital
There is no general minimum, but subscribed capital must generally be paid in within five years of incorporation, subject to some exceptions. Choose an amount that matches your business plan and that you can actually fund.
Banking and visas need further documents. Banks may ask for identity verification, beneficial ownership details, evidence of your business and an in-person visit. A business licence does not guarantee a bank account or permission to work.
Official references: Shenzhen company registration checklist · China document authentication · HCCH: competent apostille authorities by country · Registered capital rules
50%MONEY BACK
OUR MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
We stand behind every case we accept.
If the Chinese government rejects your company registration for any reason after we have reviewed and accepted your case, we will refund 50% of the total fee you paid us.
This guarantee covers rejection of the company registration application. It is our refund commitment, not a promise of government approval.
Ask us to review your case ↗CLIENT STORIES
Every company starts with a first step.
We are gathering verified experiences from our company registration clients for this section.
Approved client stories will appear here. In the meantime, speak to our team about the support available for your business.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Let's plan your China company.
Tell us what you want to do, where you want to operate, who will own the company and whether anyone needs a work visa.
AFTER REGISTRATION
Everything else you'll need.
01
Visas & Work Permits
Plan your Z visa and visas for your family.
Explore visa services ↗02Accounting & Tax Filing
Keep your Chinese books and filings in order.
View monthly plans ↗03Virtual & Serviced Offices
An address that fits your activity and setup route.
Find an office ↗04Marketing in China
Reach Chinese customers on local platforms.
Explore marketing ↗More questions? Read our company registration FAQs ↗
Regulatory information reviewed 29 October 2026. Requirements depend on your activity, structure and location.