Buy a Shelf Company in Luxembourg

If you want to buy a shelf company in Luxembourg in 2026, our local specialists can assist you in selecting an appropriate business and then guide or represent you throughout the procedure.

Quick Facts
Legal entities available for shelf company	– limited liability company (SARL), – public limited company (SA), – special limited partnership (SCSp)
Time required for purchasing the company	A few days
Types of features it includes (corporate bank account, VAT number, etc)	– bank account, – tax number, – legal address, – company documents
The advantages of a shelf company	– fast purchase & ownership transfer, – access to bank loans, – no debts, – varied activities
Appointing new directors	Yes
Capital increase allowed	Yes
Certificate of no commercial activities	No
Modify the objects of activity	Yes
Participants in the purchase procedure	Buyer (or representative) & seller
The cost of buying a shelf company	Depending on the selected structure and the age of the shelf company

Who can purchase a shelf company in Luxembourg?

Most of the international entrepreneurs who would rather get down to business as fast as possible should look for the conditions of purchasing a ready-made company in Luxembourg. This is the optimal choice for foreign investors who do not want to wait for the registration procedure of a company in Luxembourg.

What are the steps to buy a Luxembourg shelf company?

Here are the steps for the procedure:

decide on the business form and select a service provider;
contact the provider and set up a meeting;
a set of copies of the valid personal identification documents is needed; these need to be notarized;
the company documents need to be signed at the time you decide on a specific ready-made company;
as soon as the documents have been settled, the transfer of ownership takes place.

Do I need company due diligence for a shelf company in Luxembourg?

Even if it is not the case, you may solicit company due diligence in Luxembourg and find out all you need to know about the ready-made company you are about to purchase. Such a procedure will reveal if there are any hidden problems, unpaid fees or taxes, and if the company has liabilities. There are shelf companies with no activities and others that have ceased operations at a certain point.

Here is also an infographic on this subject:

Are there any risks when acquiring a vintage company in Luxembourg?

Risks are limited if the company never traded, but the buyer takes over any existing liabilities, so due diligence is advised when deciding to buy a ready-made company in Luxembourg. These entities are registered just like any other company in Luxembourg, with respect to the applicable laws, like the Company Law and the Commercial Code.

Do I need to travel to Luxembourg and buy a ready-made company?

No, there is no need for you to travel to Luxembourg for the simple formalities of purchasing a shelf company.

Can I be represented in the purchase procedure if I am not in Luxembourg or from Luxembourg?

Yes, our local specialists can represent you during the process based on a power of attorney.

What does a shelf company come with?

The shelf company is a regular business incorporated with the Trade Register, and upon purchase, it will have:

a company name;
Articles of Association;
a shareholder and director (in most cases, these are nominees);
a local address;
a tax identification number;
a share capital and bank account.

Do Luxembourg ready-made companies also have VAT numbers?

There are companies that are registered for VAT and entities that do not have VAT numbers, so you can choose. Even in the case of a non-registered business form, the procedure is easy and fast to complete.

Can I choose the legal form of a shelf company in Luxembourg?

Usually, shelf companies are incorporated as simplified or regular private limited companies, as they are very versatile and can be used for most activities in Luxembourg. Seldom can you also find stock corporations.

Do I need to do anything else after I buy the ready-made company?

Yes, there are some changes that need to be made and reported to the Companies Register, as follows:

the Articles of Association: it is mandatory that they are amended and filed with the Register;
shareholder and director: your name (the new owner) must be changed, as well as appoint a new director (these changes must also be notified to the Register);
the legal address: you can change it as soon as you buy the company or at a later date;
the company name: most buyers change it in order for it to better align with the activities of their business.

We invite you to watch a short video about purchasing a shelf company in Luxembourg, helped by our representatives:

How long does it take to buy a ready-made company in Luxembourg?

The procedure can be completed in a matter of days, or better said, as soon as you manage to make an appointment with a notary to sign the sale agreement.

How much does it cost to buy a shelf company in Luxembourg?

The cost of a Luxembourg shelf company in 2026 varies based on the age of the company and the share capital, which means you can have flexibility when it comes to the budget. Our specialists can help you find a suitable option based on your budget.

You can get in touch with our team of company formation agents in Luxembourg and find out more details about the shelf companies you can purchase in Luxembourg.