What International Business Structuring Actually Costs — Full Breakdown
Every service provider quotes "company formation from €1,500" — and conveniently forgets the other €5,000-15,000/year you'll spend on maintenance. Here's the complete picture with real numbers from our practice.
One Company — Simple Setup
When this makes sense: revenue under €500K, selling outside your home country, one founder.
Upfront Costs
| Item | UAE | Estonia | UK | Delaware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company registration | €2,000-3,500 | €800-1,500 | €500-1,200 | €800-1,500 |
| Registered address | included | €300-600/yr | €200-400/yr | €200-400/yr |
| Bank account opening | €500-1,000 | €0-500 | €0-300 | €500-1,500 |
| Legal/advisory | €500-1,000 | €300-500 | €300-500 | €300-500 |
| Total upfront | €3,000-6,000 | €1,400-3,100 | €1,000-2,400 | €1,800-3,900 |
Annual Running Costs
| Item | UAE | Estonia | UK | Delaware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| License renewal | €1,500-3,000 | €0 | €13 | €300 |
| Accounting | €1,000-2,000 | €1,200-2,400 | €1,000-2,000 | €500-1,500 |
| Registered agent | included | €300-600 | €200-400 | €200-400 |
| Visa renewal (UAE) | €500-1,000 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Audit (if required) | €0-1,000 | €0 | €0-1,500 | €0 |
| Bank fees | €300-600 | €200-500 | €100-300 | €200-500 |
| Total annual | €3,300-7,600 | €1,700-3,500 | €1,300-4,200 | €1,200-2,900 |
Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
- VAT registration in EU countries where you sell (€300-500 per country, plus quarterly filing)
- Transfer pricing documentation if you have related companies (€1,000-3,000)
- Annual return filings — penalties for late filing can be €500-5,000
- Bank compliance reviews — banks periodically request updated KYC documents, costing you time
- Currency conversion — if you earn in USD but expenses are in EUR, 1-2% FX spread adds up
- Professional liability insurance — some jurisdictions require it
Holding + Operating Company
When this makes sense: revenue €500K-2M, multiple markets, IP to protect.
Upfront Costs
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Holding company (Cyprus) | €2,500-4,000 |
| Operating company (Estonia/UK) | €1,000-2,000 |
| Inter-company agreements | €1,000-2,000 |
| Banking setup (2 companies) | €1,000-2,000 |
| Advisory/structuring | €2,000-3,000 |
| Total upfront | €7,500-13,000 |
Annual Running Costs
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Holding accounting + audit (Cyprus) | €3,000-5,000 |
| Operating accounting (Estonia/UK) | €1,500-3,000 |
| Registered addresses | €500-1,200 |
| Transfer pricing documentation | €1,000-2,000 |
| Bank fees (2 accounts) | €500-1,000 |
| Advisory retainer | €0-2,000 |
| Total annual | €6,500-14,200 |
The Break-Even Calculation
International structuring makes financial sense when:
Annual tax savings > Annual running costs
For a simple setup (one company, ~€3,000/year costs):
- If you save 15% on €200K revenue = €30K savings → ROI: 10x
- If you save 15% on €100K revenue = €15K savings → ROI: 5x
- If you save 15% on €50K revenue = €7.5K savings → ROI: 2.5x
For a holding structure (~€10K/year costs):
- Need at least €500K revenue to justify
- At €1M revenue with 15% savings = €150K → ROI: 15x
What We Charge at Crystal Tax
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Strategic consultation | €100 / 30 min |
| Written analysis (2-3 options) | €500-1,000 |
| Full roadmap with scheme | €2,000-3,000 |
| Company registration | from €1,500 |
| Bank account opening | from €500 |
| Annual accounting | from €1,500/year |
| Retainer (ongoing support) | from €500/month |
We don't hide fees. The consultation is self-contained — you walk away with a clear picture even if you never come back.
Book a consultation — €100 / 30 min
Crystal Tax — international business structuring since 2014. 50+ jurisdictions.
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