Comparison of the Simple Joint-Stock Company and the s.r.o.

registration of a simple joint-stock company in the Commercial Register costs EUR 150 (when filed electronically), the Central Securities Depository fee starts at EUR 300, and the fee for drawing up a notarial deed is EUR 250-300

Forming an a.s. – the administrative fee for registering an a.s. in the Commercial Register is EUR 375 (if filed electronically), the Central Securities Depository fee starts at EUR 300, and the fee for drawing up a notarial deed is EUR 250-300

Forming an s.r.o. – registration in the Commercial Register costs EUR 150 (if filed electronically), the Central Securities Depository fee is EUR 0, and the fee for a notarial deed is EUR 0

Most business owners take the view that forming an s.r.o. is the better option, as there are no further unnecessary fees and it takes slightly less time. Registration in the Trade Register takes 3-5 days and in the Commercial Register 10 days, for all company types. Only with a j.a.s. and an a.s. does the process at the Central Securities Depository, including the subscription of shares, also take some time.

A j.a.s. or an a.s. is the better choice if you need to raise funds through a share issue, or if you want a degree of anonymity for the shareholders. That anonymity does not apply, however, if you are the sole owner, as there must be at least 2 shareholders; and it is in any case only relative, since the details are recorded with the Central Depository and state authorities can access them on request.