My company is in the process of buying out a German group.
To do that, we needed to set up a new holding company which would own the target group's shares.
Without exception, ALL our advisors/lawyers (both in Germany and out) recommended that we just pay the services of an "offshore provider" to buy an existing shell company with an already established and registered proxy director, instead of going through the creation process of a GmbH. "It's the most complicated process in the EU, and a PITA for all individuals involved.", they said.
Yes, setting up a GmbH might be a bit of paperwork for a solo founder who has to do all the paper work on their own[0]. But for a company having enough resources to buy another one? Lol.
[0]: I've done it before and it's actually quite straightforward. The actual work begins when you do the bookkeeping & declare your taxes. But for that you've got accountants.
To do that, we needed to set up a new holding company which would own the target group's shares.
Without exception, ALL our advisors/lawyers (both in Germany and out) recommended that we just pay the services of an "offshore provider" to buy an existing shell company with an already established and registered proxy director, instead of going through the creation process of a GmbH. "It's the most complicated process in the EU, and a PITA for all individuals involved.", they said.
We followed their advice.