The “EU Inc.” to End Long Wait Times for European Startups
For decades, expanding a business across the European Union meant navigating 27 different legal systems, a mountain of paperwork, and—most frustratingly—unpredictable waiting times. Whether it was the weeks required for a traditional Italian SRL or the complex notarization processes in Germany, the “long wait” has been the primary barrier to innovation.
That is finally changing. With the formal introduction of the EU Inc. (the Unified European Company) in March 2026, the European Commission has launched a direct strike against administrative delays.
The 48-Hour Revolution
The most significant breakthrough of the EU Inc. is the “48-hour rule.” Under this new regulation, entrepreneurs can incorporate a company online across the entire Union in less than two days. This replaces a process that previously took weeks or even months in certain member states.
How the “Long Times” are Being Cut:
- Digital-First Identity: By using the eIDAS (European Digital Identity) framework, founders no longer need to appear physically before a notary or government official. Verification is instantaneous and cross-border.
- The “28th Regime”: The EU Inc. functions as a simplified legal template that exists alongside national laws (like the SRL or GmbH). Because it is governed by a single EU Regulation, there is no need to wait for local courts to interpret national variations.
- Low-Cost Entry: To further accelerate the process, incorporation fees have been capped at €100, removing the financial friction that often slowed down the initial filing phases.
Why This Matters Now
The fragmentation of 60 different company types across the EU was costing the economy billions in lost time. The EU Inc. provides a standardized “passport“ for businesses. Once registered, a company can operate in any member state without the need to “re-learn” local corporate law or wait for secondary approvals.
Current Status
As of March 2026, the legislative proposal is moving through the European Parliament. While national SRLs will remain an option for local businesses, the EU Inc. is positioned to become the default choice for any founder who values speed and scalability over traditional, slow-moving structures.
The Roadmap: When will “EU Inc.” arrive in Italy?
While the proposal was officially introduced in March 2026, the transition from a Brussels regulation to a functional “Italian” option involves a specific legislative cycle. Based on the standard EU “Ordinary Legislative Procedure,” here is the estimated timeline for implementation:
| Phase | Estimated Timing | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1. EU Approval | Mid 2026 – Late 2026 | The European Parliament and the Council of the EU must reach a final agreement on the text of the Regulation. |
| 2. Technical Setup | Early 2027 | Development of the unified digital portal and integration with national Business Registers (like the Italian Registro delle Imprese). |
| 3. Italian Adaptation | Mid 2027 | Italy must align its internal procedures (and the role of notaries) to support the eIDAS digital identity verification for the new EU Inc. |
| 4. Full Launch | Late 2027 / Early 2028 | The first EU Inc. entities are expected to be legally incorporable in Italy within the target 48-hour window. |
Key Steps for the Italian Implementation:
- Digital Onboarding: Italy will need to fully activate the interoperability between its national digital IDs (SPID/CIE) and the European Digital Identity Wallet to allow “one-click” incorporation.
- Notarial Transition: A major shift will involve moving from traditional physical deeds to digital-native protocols. The Italian Notariat is already working on remote video-conferencing systems to comply with these faster EU standards.
- Automatic Tax ID: To meet the 48-hour goal, the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) will need to automate the issuance of VAT numbers (Partita IVA) for EU Inc. companies, bypassing current manual checks that often cause the “long wait” times today.
