Purchasing a company step by step
Establishing a company involves a great deal of formalities. Hours spent in offices and the complex web of legal and accounting regulations can effectively discourage you from registering a new company. There is an alternative to this long and burdensome process – you can purchase a shelf company. This solution is becoming increasingly popular as it saves a lot of time. The process of establishing a company from scratch may take up to 6 weeks, while the purchase of a shelf company allows you to start your business in just a few days. Purchasing a company essentially consists of the following steps:
1. Granting consent for the sale of shares by the company.
2. Completing formalities related to the sale of the pre-emptive right to acquire shares.
3. Negotiating the content and form of a shares purchase contract.
4. Notification of the company's employees about the purchase of shares.
5. PCC fee (tax on civil law transactions) and submission of a tax declaration.
How to purchase a company?
The purchase transaction is relatively simple to complete from the buyer’s perspective. The first step is to obtain information from the seller about the necessary requirements and corporate records. Then you have to visit a notary public to certify the signing of a business purchase agreement. On this occasion, the buyer is presented with printouts and forms that are to be submitted to the Registry Court, the Tax Office and the Statistical Office.
| Shelf companies | Without VAT/VAT-UE | With VAT/VAT-UE |
| Limited liability company | 1270 | 2570 |
| Limited liability company (when signing a contract for a virtual office or accounting services) |
790 | 2170 |
Additional fees
| Acquisition of a company with signatures certified by notary public | 200 zł |
| Entering amendments in the National Court Register records and for a mandatory announcement in Court and Economic Monitor (Monitor Sądowy i Gospodarczy) |
300 zł |
All quoted prices are expressed in Polish zloty (PLN) and include all stamp duties, notary fees, and taxes.
Can you purchase a company remotely?
In the event that the buyers and sellers are not able to meet at the same time and place at the notary's office, the purchase documents can be signed remotely. Signatures of the transaction parties that need to be certified by a notary public do not need to be put in the documents at the same time and space. Once the documents are approved and both parties are satisfied with the agreement, the seller can send them to the buyer by mail. As soon as the documents are signed by the buyer in the presence of a notary public, they are then returned to the seller, who proceeds in a similar manner.
Is it always a good idea to buy a shelf company?
If you want to start your business as soon as possible, buying a shelf company instead of establishing it is a good idea. Without having to deal with time-consuming formalities or create your company's profile from scratch, you can save a lot of time and effort. This process is also cheaper. You have the opportunity to negotiate a contract that will be tailored to the individual needs of the company and to address all your doubts in consultation with the seller. For the avoidance of doubt, it is completely legal and safe to buy a company. The whole process is carried out under the supervision of professionals, and the documents are signed in the presence of a notary public.
Why buy a shelf company?
If you are a novice entrepreneur, you probably won’t want to waste your time queuing up in public offices. When registering a company, you also need to know the essentials of law and accounting. Also, a company incorporation involves considerable start-up expenses. If you buy an existing business, the costs are clearly defined from the very beginning and include: the company acquisition price, the fee for amending the company deed and the entry in the National Court Register, and the notary public fee. An additional advantage of acquiring a shelf company is that you can complete all formalities remotely. This can take a bit more time, but it will be a very convenient option for many individuals. If in doubt, you can consult a legal expert at every step of the way. This option will make you more confident that the overall process is carried out correctly and will not be questioned by any authorities at any stage until the final agreement is concluded. Also, most businesses are registered in the largest cities in Poland and your new enterprise will be in a better position to establish its presence on the market.
