Service
International Entity Setup
When you're ready to plant your flag. We manage the full incorporation and registration process — so your entity is compliant, registered, and ready to hire from day one.
End-to-end entity setup
Setting up a foreign entity involves more than filing incorporation papers. Tax registrations, social security accounts, local bank accounts, registered office requirements, and post-incorporation compliance obligations all need to be in place before you can legally hire and pay employees.
Axis manages the entire process — from entity structure advice through to the first compliant payroll run — so you don't need to coordinate multiple local advisers across different time zones.
By market
Common entity types and timelines
Process
How entity setup works
Structure assessment
We assess the right entity type for your activity, headcount plans, and tax strategy — branch, subsidiary, or representative office.
Jurisdiction-specific roadmap
A clear timeline and document checklist for your target market, covering every registration step from incorporation to first payroll.
Incorporation
We manage the incorporation process with local notaries, registries, and authorities — handling document preparation, filing, and follow-up.
Tax and payroll registration
Corporate tax, VAT, payroll tax, and social security registrations are completed before your first hire or transaction.
Bank account opening
We support the local bank account opening process, which is often the longest step for foreign-owned entities in many markets.
Handover and ongoing compliance
Once live, we can continue as your registered agent and compliance partner — or hand over to your preferred local advisers.
Why own your entity
The case for entity setup
Full local presence
An owned entity gives you direct employment relationships, full brand presence, and the ability to bid for contracts requiring a local entity.
Long-term cost efficiency
At scale, owning your entity is more cost-efficient than EOR fees. The crossover point varies by market but typically sits between 10 and 25 employees.
Substance for tax purposes
For markets where corporate tax strategy requires genuine local substance — particularly in Europe — an owned entity is the expected structure.
Direct HR control
Manage your own employment contracts, benefits design, and HR policies without the constraints of an EOR arrangement.
Managed timeline
We manage the incorporation process end-to-end, keeping you informed at each stage and handling the local notary, registry, and bank requirements.
Compliance from day one
Post-incorporation compliance — tax filings, annual returns, payroll registration — is set up correctly before your first hire.
Compare
Entity Setup vs EOR vs Payroll Management
| Factor | Employer of Record | Payroll Management | Entity Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entity required? | No | Yes | Yes — we build it |
| Speed to first hire | Days | Fast once registered | 1–12 weeks depending on market |
| Upfront investment | Low | Medium | Higher — one-time setup cost |
| Long-term cost | Higher per head | Efficient at scale | Most efficient at scale |
| Best for | Early hires, new markets | Existing entities | Committed long-term presence |
Ready to establish your local presence?
Tell us which market you're targeting and we'll provide a jurisdiction-specific incorporation roadmap within 48 hours.