Nikita Veremeev
06.01.2026 | 6 min read
Updated: 06.01.2026
When an entrepreneur decides to open a company abroad, they face a maze of requirements that seems insurmountable. Over nine years of working at COREDO I have become convinced: the success of international registration depends not on luck, but on a deep understanding of local regulations, strategic planning and flawless execution. Today I want to share what we have learned working with hundreds of clients in Europe, Asia and the CIS.
Why 2025 Is a Turning Point for Company Registration
The landscape of international business is transforming rapidly. In 2025 company registration in the EU underwent fundamental changes that simultaneously simplified and complicated the process. One key innovation: mandatory digital identification of founders and the introduction of electronic signatures at all stages. This has accelerated remote company registration in the EU and reduced the risk of document forgery, but at the same time increased the requirements for documentation.
COREDO’s practice shows that similar shifts have occurred in Asia. In Singapore and Hong Kong, digital identification of founders and automation of KYC procedures have become mandatory. A solution developed by COREDO for one fintech client enabled integration of online verification through government platforms, which sped up the establishment of companies with foreign founders in Asia and reduced the legal risks of registering a business in Asia.
But here’s what is important to understand: technology is only a tool. The real complexity lies in the fact that each jurisdiction has its own interpretations of international AML standards and FATF requirements. And this is exactly where the real work begins.
Choice of jurisdiction: strategy
Over the past years we have observed a clear trend: entrepreneurs choose countries not by pretty promises but by real opportunities. In 2025 the most attractive countries for company registration are considered Serbia, the UAE, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Cyprus.
Why these jurisdictions? Because they offer what a growing business really needs:
- Serbia attracts entrepreneurs with the simplicity of the registration process and the ability to operate online. Our COREDO team has executed projects where Serbian jurisdiction became an ideal entry point for European expansion thanks to low administrative barriers and transparent rules for foreigners.
- UAE, this is a completely different level. Here you can register a company in a Free Zone or on the Mainland. Free Zones allow 100% foreign ownership, corporate tax is almost absent, and registration takes as little as 3 days. Mainland registration offers a simple and transparent tax regime starting from 1% for small businesses, simplified reporting and opening a bank account. The registration process involves vetting of the applicant and their business, which usually takes up to several days.
- Georgia impresses with its speed and accessibility. To open a business in Georgia, you need to register on the State Registry website, complete online identification and choose a business form. Fast online registration and no requirement for the owner to be a tax resident make this jurisdiction ideal for startups.
- Cyprus is a unique combination of European regulation and flexible advantages. Special tax regimes for holding structures, simple reporting and English-language support create a favorable environment. Cyprus also provides residency through business investments: the opportunity to open a company, invest in the economy and obtain a residence permit. Processing takes 5–10 days.
Documentary basis: from simple to complex
COREDO’s experience shows that in 2025 the standard set of documents for company registration in the EU includes:
- founding agreement and articles of association
- proof of registered address
- digital identification of founders (video verification, eIDAS, BankID)
- KYC questionnaires and information on beneficiaries
- proof of source of funds
- electronic signatures
It looks simple, but in reality each item requires careful preparation. This especially applies to KYC questionnaires and disclosure of beneficiary information. We often see mistakes here that lead to registration delays of weeks or even months.
The COREDO team has developed its own checklist that helps clients avoid common mistakes. For example, when disclosing beneficiary information, it’s important to understand that the definition of “beneficiary” varies by jurisdiction. In the EU, this may be a natural person who ultimately owns or controls the company, directly or indirectly. In Asia, the requirements can be even stricter.
banking requirements for new companies in the EU have become stricter: banks require not only standard KYC documents, but also proof of business reputation, a business plan, information about the corporate structure and source of funds. For high-risk businesses and foreign founders, opening corporate accounts in European banks is possible only if there is full compliance with AML requirements and transparency of all transactions.
This is not just a bank requirement; it reflects the global trend of tightening control and reducing AML risks in the financial system.
AML compliance: from theory to practice
Here I want to be especially honest. AML compliance, it is not just a checkbox on the registration checklist. It is the foundation on which all further company activity is built.
International AML standards, developed by the FATF (Financial Action Task Force), set 40 recommendations that must be implemented in each jurisdiction. In the EU these requirements are codified in 6AMLD (Sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive) and the new AMLR (AML Regulation), which introduces uniform standards for all EU members.
What does this mean in practice? It means that when you register a company in the EU, you automatically fall under requirements that include:
- Customer Due Diligence (CDD) – basic verification of clients and partners
- Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) – enhanced checks for high-risk clients and transactions
- Continuous KYC – continuous monitoring and updating of customer information
- PEP screening, checks against lists of politically exposed persons
- Sanctions screening – checks against the sanctions lists of the FATF and other authorities
Our experience at COREDO has shown that many entrepreneurs underestimate these requirements at the registration stage. They think it’s a problem for banks or payment systems. In fact, it’s a company problem from the moment of its establishment.
I remember a project with a fintech client who wanted to open a payment company in the EU. On paper it all looked simple: registration, obtaining a license, launch. But when we began to go through the AML compliance requirements, it turned out that the company had to have:
- a designated AML officer responsible for compliance
- internal policies and procedures that comply with FATF recommendations
- a transaction monitoring system capable of detecting suspicious activity
- an AML training program for staff
- documentation confirming the origin of funds and the founders’ source of wealth
This required restructuring the entire company before obtaining the license. But the result was worth it: the company obtained the license on the first try and avoided potential fines and sanctions for non-compliance with the AMLR.
Differences between the EU and Asia
Although globalization trends blur borders, differences between regions remain significant.
In the EU remote registration has been implemented in many countries, which simplifies the process for foreigners. AML compliance is strict, with integration of digital solutions. Registration times are 1–5 weeks depending on the country.
In Asia remote registration is being introduced gradually and depends on the jurisdiction. AML compliance is strengthened, with automation of procedures. Registration times are 2–6 weeks depending on the country.
requirements for beneficiaries in the EU imply full disclosure and digital identification, whereas in Asia requirements are enhanced, with mandatory KYC and sanctions-list checks.
For high-risk businesses in the EU there is enhanced supervision and Licensing, in Asia – additional checks and restrictions.
Our experience at COREDO has shown that successful registration in both regions requires not only knowledge of local rules but also an understanding of how those rules interact with global standards. For example, if you are opening a payment company that will work with cryptocurrency, you must understand the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) requirements in the EU and similar requirements in Asia.
What to do after registration
Many clients think that registration is the finish. In fact, it’s the start.
After registering a business you need to register as a taxpayer. This places an obligation on the business to maintain financial reporting, which must be regularly submitted to the country’s fiscal authority. Tax periods and payment dates may vary. For example, in the UAE the first financial year may be 6–18 months from the company’s date of registration, while subsequent ones are only 12 months. In Spain and Armenia the tax year coincides with the calendar year.
But that’s only the tax part. There is also regulatory reporting, which can be much more complex.
If your company operates in financial services, you will need to prepare for regular regulator inspections. This includes audits of the AML program, checks for compliance with FATF requirements, analysis of the AML risk matrix and stress scenarios to identify potential vulnerabilities.
COREDO’s experience confirms that companies that take AML compliance seriously from the outset avoid costly fines and sanctions for non-compliance. We have seen fines that reached millions of euros for violations that could have been prevented with proper preparation.
COREDO’s strategic approach: how we help
Over nine years of work we have developed a methodology that enables us to help clients not just open a company, but create a sustainable, compliant structure ready for growth and expansion.
Our process includes several key stages:
- Strategic planning
We start not with documents, but with understanding the client’s goals. What business do you want to create? In which countries do you plan to operate? What level of risk are you willing to accept? What tax incentives do you need?Based on this analysis we recommend the optimal jurisdiction and company structure. For example, if you plan to work with cryptocurrency investments, we recommend choosing a jurisdiction that has clear MiCA requirements and a developed infrastructure for crypto business.
- Due diligence and AML preparation
We conduct enhanced due diligence on all founders and beneficiaries, checking them against sanctions lists and databases (Dow Jones, LexisNexis, World-Check). We also help prepare documentation proving the origin of funds and source of wealth.At the same time we develop AML policies and procedures that will comply with FATF requirements and local regulators. This includes appointing an AML officer, developing a staff training program and implementing a transaction monitoring system.
- Registration and licensing
We prepare all necessary documents and submit the application to the relevant authorities. We also coordinate the process with banks and payment systems to ensure a smooth opening of the corporate account.
- Ongoing support
After registration we continue to support the client. We assist with tax reporting, regulatory reporting, updating AML policies in accordance with changes in legislation and FATF recommendations.
Examples of solving complex problems
Allow me to share a few examples from COREDO’s practice that illustrate the complexity and possibilities of international registration.
Example 1: Fintech company with foreign investors
The client wanted to open a payment company in the EU with investors from Asia. The task seemed simple, but when we began to examine the requirements, it turned out that the investors were from a high-risk jurisdiction and had a complex corporate structure.
We conducted enhanced due diligence, identified potential AML risks and developed a strategy that allowed raising investments without violating regulators’ requirements. This included creating an SPV structure that provided transparency and reduced risks.
Result: the company obtained a license within 8 weeks and was able to start operations without delays.
Example 2: investment fund with a global structure
The client wanted to create an investment fund that would operate in Europe, Asia and the CIS. This required registration in multiple jurisdictions and compliance with different licensing and AML compliance requirements.
We developed a unified AML program that was adapted to the requirements of each jurisdiction. We also implemented a transaction monitoring system that allowed suspicious activity to be detected in real time.
Result: the fund was successfully registered in all jurisdictions and began attracting investors.
Example 3: Company with a high-risk profile
The client operated in an area that regulators consider high-risk. This meant that AML compliance requirements were significantly higher than for ordinary businesses.
We developed a comprehensive AML risk management program that included a risk matrix, stress scenarios and escalation procedures. We also conducted staff training and implemented control systems.
Result: the company successfully passed regulatory inspections and received approval to expand operations.
Key takeaways and recommendations
If you plan to open a company abroad, here’s what you need to know:
- choice of jurisdiction: it’s a strategic decision that should take into account not only taxes but also the regulatory environment, the availability of banking services, and compliance with international standards.
- AML compliance is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s the foundation of your business. Invest in it from the outset, and you’ll avoid costly problems down the line.
- Document preparation is a critical success factor. Make sure all documents are prepared correctly and fully disclose information about beneficiaries and the source of funds.
- Work with an experienced partner who understands local regulations and can tailor the process to your specific needs.
- Don’t assume that registration is the finish line. It’s the start of a long-term journey that requires ongoing attention to compliance and adaptation to changes in legislation.
Conclusion
Over nine years of working at COREDO, I have become convinced that international company registration is not just an administrative process. It is a strategic decision that determines the future of your business.
The world is becoming increasingly complex and regulated. FATF, 6AMLD, AMLR requirements and other international standards create high barriers to entry, but they also create opportunities for those willing to invest in compliance and transparency.
Our mission at COREDO: to help you overcome this complexity and create a sustainable, compliant structure that will serve as the foundation for your global expansion.
If you are ready to start this journey, we are here to help you every step of the way.