The main advantage of a
shelf company in Hungary is that owners do not have to go through the company incorporation process and handle all the legal matters. Another benefit offered by
shelf companies in Hungary is that the company is already established on the market and this gives it credibility and age. This can be particularly useful for creditors and biding on contracts. A
shelf company has a
registered address in Hungary and we can also provide other services that will be needed after the company has commenced its activities, like
accounting.
What you should know on Hungarian shelf companies
Although the process of company formation in Hungary will be avoided when
purchasing a shelf-company (also referred to as a
ready-made company), there are still numerous aspects that investors should comply with. It is true that the investors will be able to start their operations much faster than if they have opted to
open a company in Hungary following the standard registration process, but this doesn’t mean that the procedure is completely simple.
This is given by the fact that upon the purchase of the shelf company, the investor will have to sign specific documents. Upon the transfer of ownership, the new buyer must change specific aspects if this is necessary and, in specific cases, it is legally required. For instance, the company must have a director, and the new owner must appoint a person to act as the director of the company.
Then, he or she may want to change the objects of activity of the company. Any change that is brought to the original registration information has to be reported to the
Hungarian registration authorities, in accordance with the applicable law. The new owner also has the right to change the company’s business address to a new location.
Please mind that an advantage of this company type is that the investors are no longer required to submit a
minimum share capital, as the company is already incorporated with the required capital. This can have a positive impact when starting a local company, as the start-up costs businessmen have to invest in a new business are relatively large.
Given that the most important aspect involved in this procedure is signing the purchase agreement, it is highly recommended to be
represented by local lawyers or by
a team of specialists in company formation in Hungary, who are qualified to oversee the entire process and, more importantly, to act on your behalf in the relation with the local institutions.
Once the document is signed, the papers have to be submitted with the
Hungarian Court of Registration, which will take notice on the new ownership of the company and any other
changes that were brought to the company. As a general rule, since the day when the documents were submitted, the modifications will be registered in a period of maximum 8 days.
Foreign businessmen who want to
open a company in Hungary by
buying a shelf company must know that they do not have to
be present in Hungary at the moment when the purchase is made. The procedure can be completed
outside Hungary as well, but in this case, a much more complex procedure must be started, in the sense that the purchase documents can be signed from overseas, but the presence of a notary will be required, who must notarize the respective papers.
The advantage of a shelf company in Hungary is that it remained dormant since the moment when it was incorporated and evidence upon this will be provided to the new owner, who will have access to all the corporate documents issued throughout the years, since the moment of the incorporation.
Certified documents regarding its incorporation, the lack of business activities and the lack of corporate debts will be provided to the new owner once the sale-purchase agreement is signed. It is necessary to know that you will not need to complete other standard steps for
company registration in Hungary, such as
registering for VAT or opening a corporate bank account, as the
shelf company already provides all these.
However, the new owner of the company will still have to complete various formalities once the company becomes operational, such as registering the
employees for social security if the company will have employees, obtaining business permits in accordance with the new objects of activity of the company, obtaining various licenses for a new business office or another office premises and others.
Hungary has a medium sized economy but nevertheless it is an important business destination among the Central European countries.
Hungarian companies incorporated by foreign investors can be fully owned and controlled by their foreign directors.
Shelf companies in Hungary can take the form of the most common business types used in the country, like limited liability companies. These types of companies have a variety of ages and names and investors can choose the one that best suits their business and
commercial interests in Hungary.
Our team of specialists in company registration in Hungary offers you the possibility to
purchase a ready-made company that has been
incorporated recently in Hungary or that has a certain age and suits different business needs.
Prices for shelf companies can vary according to numerous aspects. For detailed information about the ownership transfer and prices, please
contact our team, where you will find the necessary support in
opening a company in Hungary.