# How do I register a business here?

> The steps, the real costs, and the forms.

URL: https://allproblemssolved.aplusz.app/en/register-a-business/  
Language: English (en)

## The problem

Registering a business is a fixed sequence of forms, fees and numbers, different in every country.

Who it hits: Every freelancer and founder.

### The shapes it takes

- Sole trader or company, country by country
- Steps in order with the official portals
- Real registration costs (UK £100 Ltd, Singapore S$115 / S$315, Philippines DTI ₱200–₱2,000, Australia A$611 company)
- 2026 VAT and regime thresholds (France micro €83,600 / €203,100; UK VAT £90,000; Germany €25,000 / €100,000; Singapore S$1m; Australia A$75,000)
- Registering as a foreigner
- Invoicing legally and e-invoicing (France from September 2026)

### What this page gives you

Steps, real costs, and the forms.

## Business registration on this page

Your revenue stays on this device.

### France

- Sole: Micro-entrepreneur · Company: SASU or SARL
- Foreigners: Non-EU citizens living in France need a residence permit that allows self-employment.
- Steps (sole): Declare your micro-enterprise on the single online business portal (guichet unique) — free. → Receive your SIREN/SIRET number. → Set up your URSSAF account and declare your revenue monthly or quarterly. → Open a separate bank account once your yearly revenue passes €10,000 two years in a row.
- Steps (company): Write the articles of association (statuts). → Deposit the share capital in a bank. → File the company on the single online business portal. → Receive the Kbis extract — the company exists.
- Registration: free
- Micro-entrepreneur limit (sales): 203100 EUR
- Micro-entrepreneur limit (services): 83600 EUR
- VAT exemption (sales): 85000 EUR (tolerance 93500)
- VAT exemption (services): 37500 EUR (tolerance 41250)
- Invoicing: Not charging VAT? Write “TVA non applicable, art. 293 B du CGI”. E-invoicing: every business must be able to receive e-invoices from 1 September 2026; micro and small businesses must send them from 1 September 2027.
- Official: https://formalites.entreprises.gouv.fr · https://www.impots.gouv.fr

### United Kingdom

- Sole: Sole trader · Company: Private limited company (Ltd)
- Foreigners: Running a business in the UK needs the right to work here; non-residents can own a Ltd, and everyone setting one up must verify their identity with Companies House.
- Steps (sole): Register for Self Assessment with HMRC — free, by 5 October after the tax year you start (if you earn over £1,000). → Keep records of income and expenses. → Register for VAT within 30 days of passing the threshold.
- Steps (company): Verify your identity with Companies House. → Incorporate online with Companies House. → Register for Corporation Tax within 3 months of starting to trade. → File a confirmation statement every year.
- Registration: free
- Companies House incorporation (online): 100 GBP
- Confirmation statement, each year: 50 GBP
- VAT registration: 90000 GBP
- Invoicing: If you're VAT-registered, show your VAT number and the VAT on each invoice.
- Official: https://www.gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment · https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration

### Germany

- Sole: Sole proprietor (Einzelunternehmen) or freelancer (Freiberufler) · Company: GmbH or UG
- Foreigners: Non-EU citizens need a residence permit that allows self-employment or freelancing.
- Steps (sole): Register a trade at the local Gewerbeamt (freelancers skip this step). → File the tax registration questionnaire (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung) through ELSTER — choose the small-business VAT exemption there. → Join the chamber (IHK or Handwerkskammer) — automatic for trades.
- Steps (company): Sign the articles in front of a notary and pay in the share capital. → The notary registers the company in the commercial register (Handelsregister). → Register a trade at the local Gewerbeamt (freelancers skip this step). → File the tax registration questionnaire (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung) through ELSTER — choose the small-business VAT exemption there.
- Small-business VAT exemption — last year's revenue: 25000 EUR
- Small-business VAT exemption — this year's revenue: 100000 EUR
- Invoicing: Small businesses write that no VAT is charged under § 19 UStG. Every business has had to be able to receive e-invoices since 1 January 2025.
- Official: https://www.elster.de · https://www.elster.de

### United States

- Sole: Sole proprietorship · Company: LLC (in the state you choose)
- Foreigners: Anyone, including non-residents, can form an LLC; working in the US needs a visa that allows it. A foreign-owned single-member LLC files IRS Form 5472 each year.
- Steps (sole): Register a trade name (DBA) with your county or state if you don't use your own name. → Get the state and local licences and permits for your activity. → Get an EIN from the IRS — free online.
- Steps (company): File the formation documents with the state (fees vary by state). → Get an EIN from the IRS — free online. → Get the state and local licences and permits for your activity. → Keep a registered agent in the state and file its annual report.
- EIN: free
- There's no federal VAT; sales tax is set by each state — register with the state where you sell.
- Official: https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business · https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

### Singapore

- Sole: Sole proprietorship · Company: Private limited company (Pte Ltd)
- Foreigners: A company needs at least one director who lives in Singapore, and foreign founders file through a registered filing agent; working here needs a pass.
- Steps (sole): Reserve the business name on BizFile+. → Register the sole proprietorship — usually approved within 15 minutes. → Receive your UEN, your business ID for everything else.
- Steps (company): Reserve the business name on BizFile+. → Appoint at least one director who lives in Singapore. → Incorporate on BizFile+ (or through a registered filing agent). → Appoint a company secretary within 6 months.
- Name application: 15 SGD
- Registration (1 year): 100 SGD
- Name application: 15 SGD
- Incorporation: 300 SGD
- GST registration: 1000000 SGD
- Official: https://www.bizfile.gov.sg · https://www.iras.gov.sg

### Philippines

- Sole: Sole proprietorship (DTI) · Company: One Person Corporation or corporation (SEC)
- Foreigners: Foreigners need a certificate of authority under the Foreign Investment Act; businesses serving the local market can be more than 40% foreign-owned only with at least US$200,000 paid-in capital (lower in some cases).
- Steps (sole): Register the business name with the DTI online (valid 5 years). → Get a barangay clearance for your business address. → Get the mayor's (business) permit from the city or municipality — renewed each year. → Register with the BIR within 30 days (Form 1901 for sole proprietors), and use BIR-registered invoices and books.
- Steps (company): Register the corporation with the SEC. → Get a barangay clearance for your business address. → Get the mayor's (business) permit from the city or municipality — renewed each year. → Register with the BIR within 30 days (Form 1901 for sole proprietors), and use BIR-registered invoices and books.
- DTI name — barangay scope: 200 PHP
- DTI name — city/municipal scope: 500 PHP
- DTI name — regional scope: 1000 PHP
- DTI name — national scope: 2000 PHP
- Documentary stamp tax: 30 PHP
- VAT registration: 3000000 PHP
- Optional 8% income tax rate: 3000000 PHP
- Invoicing: Use BIR-registered invoices (or an accredited system) — the invoice is now the main proof for every sale.
- Official: https://bnrs.dti.gov.ph · https://www.bir.gov.ph

### Australia

- Sole: Sole trader (ABN) · Company: Proprietary company (Pty Ltd)
- Foreigners: You need a visa that lets you work or run a business; every director needs a director ID, and a company needs at least one director who lives in Australia.
- Steps (sole): Apply for an ABN on the Australian Business Register — free. → Register a business name with ASIC if you won't trade under your own name. → Register for GST within 21 days of reaching the threshold.
- Steps (company): Get a director ID for every director. → Register the company with ASIC. → Apply for an ABN on the Australian Business Register — free. → Register for GST within 21 days of reaching the threshold.
- ABN: free
- ASIC company registration: 611 AUD
- GST registration: 75000 AUD
- Official: https://www.abr.gov.au · https://www.ato.gov.au

### Canada

- Sole: Sole proprietorship · Company: Corporation (federal or provincial)
- Foreigners: Working in Canada needs a permit; some provinces require Canadian-resident directors for their corporations.
- Steps (sole): Register your business name with your province (if it isn't your own name). → Get a Business Number from the CRA. → Register for GST/HST once you pass the small-supplier limit.
- Steps (company): Incorporate federally with Corporations Canada, or with your province. → Get a Business Number from the CRA. → Register for GST/HST once you pass the small-supplier limit.
- GST/HST small-supplier limit: 30000 CAD
- Official: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/start.html · https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html

### Japan

- Sole: Sole proprietor (kojin jigyo) · Company: Godo kaisha (GK) or kabushiki kaisha (KK)
- Foreigners: Running a business needs a Business Manager status of residence, with capital and office requirements — check the Immigration Services Agency.
- Steps (sole): File the business-opening notification (kaigyo todoke) with the tax office within a month. → Apply for blue-form filing for its tax advantages.
- Steps (company): Draw up the articles of incorporation (notarised for a KK). → Register the company at the Legal Affairs Bureau. → Notify the tax office and local government of the new company.
- Consumption tax exemption (sales two years earlier): 10000000 JPY
- Official: https://www.nta.go.jp/english/ · https://www.nta.go.jp/english/

### Spain

- Sole: Autónomo · Company: Sociedad limitada (SL)
- Steps (sole): Register with the tax agency (census declaration, form 036/037). → Register as self-employed (RETA) with Social Security.
- Steps (company): Create the SL before a notary and register it in the Mercantile Registry. → Register with the tax agency (census declaration, form 036/037).
- Spain has no general VAT exemption for small businesses — VAT applies from your first sale.
- Official: https://sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es · https://sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es

### Italy

- Sole: Sole trader with a VAT number (partita IVA) · Company: SRL
- Steps (sole): Open a VAT number (partita IVA) with the Agenzia delle Entrate. → Register with INPS for social security. → Register with the Chamber of Commerce if you're a trader or craftsperson.
- Steps (company): Create the SRL before a notary. → Open a VAT number (partita IVA) with the Agenzia delle Entrate.
- Flat-rate regime (forfettario) limit: 85000 EUR
- Official: https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it · https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it

### Netherlands

- Sole: Eenmanszaak · Company: BV
- Steps (sole): Register with the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) — you get your tax numbers from there.
- Steps (company): Create the BV through a notary. → Register with the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) — you get your tax numbers from there.
- Small-business VAT scheme (KOR): 20000 EUR
- Official: https://www.kvk.nl · https://www.belastingdienst.nl

### India

- Sole: Sole proprietorship · Company: Private limited company
- Foreigners: Foreigners usually form a private limited company, which needs at least one director resident in India.
- Steps (sole): Register on Udyam (free) for small-business benefits. → Register for GST once you pass the threshold.
- Steps (company): Incorporate with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. → Register for GST once you pass the threshold.
- GST registration (services): 2000000 INR
- GST registration (goods): 4000000 INR
- Official: https://udyamregistration.gov.in · https://www.gst.gov.in

### United Arab Emirates

- Sole: Freelance permit or sole establishment · Company: LLC (mainland or free zone)
- Foreigners: Free-zone companies can be fully foreign-owned, and so can mainland companies for most activities.
- Steps (sole): Get the trade licence from the free zone or the economic department. → Register for corporate tax, and for VAT once you pass the threshold.
- Steps (company): Choose a free zone or the mainland. → Get the trade licence from the free zone or the economic department. → Register for corporate tax, and for VAT once you pass the threshold.
- VAT registration: 375000 AED
- Official: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/business · https://tax.gov.ae

### Thailand

- Sole: Sole proprietorship · Company: Limited company
- Foreigners: The Foreign Business Act limits foreign ownership to 49% in many activities unless you hold a Foreign Business Licence or BOI promotion.
- Steps (sole): Register the business with the Department of Business Development. → Get a tax ID from the Revenue Department, and register for VAT once you pass the threshold.
- Steps (company): Register the limited company with the Department of Business Development. → Get a tax ID from the Revenue Department, and register for VAT once you pass the threshold.
- VAT registration: 1800000 THB
- Official: https://www.dbd.go.th · https://www.rd.go.th

### Other countries

- Portugal: https://eportugal.gov.pt
- Mexico: https://www.sat.gob.mx
- Brazil: https://www.gov.br/empresas-e-negocios
- Malaysia: https://www.ssm.com.my
- Hong Kong: https://www.ird.gov.hk
- Vietnam: https://dangkykinhdoanh.gov.vn
- Indonesia: https://oss.go.id
- South Korea: https://www.nts.go.kr
- South Africa: https://www.cipc.co.za
- Türkiye: https://www.ticaret.gov.tr

## Invoicing legally

Every invoice needs: a unique number, the date, your name, address and business or tax number, the client's details, what you sold, and the amount (with any VAT shown).

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