Companies & entities
Company domiciliation in Luxembourg
Domiciliation means establishing a company\'s registered office at the address of a third party. In Luxembourg, this is an activity regulated by the Law of 31 May 1999: only a licensed professional (lawyer, notary, chartered accountant, PSF) may act as a domiciliation agent, and domiciliation does not dispense with the need for genuine substance. The firm advises you and frames the agreement.
In short
Domiciliating a company in Luxembourg means establishing its registered office at a third party's address. The activity is regulated by the law of 31 May 1999: only an approved professional (lawyer, notary, chartered accountant or PFS) may act as domiciliary agent, and a written contract is mandatory.
Responsible for legal content: Maître Cora Maglo, Avocate à la Cour, Liste I du Barreau de Luxembourg depuis 2009. · Updated on · Applicable law: Luxembourg
Company domiciliation in Luxembourg: key points at a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Fees | On a quote basis. Our framing fees are separate from the domiciliation agent\'s charges. |
| Indicative timing | Quick to put in place once the licensed agent and the agreement have been finalised. |
| Documents required |
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| Deliverables |
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Domiciling a company is not simply about renting an address: it is a regulated service, governed by a written domiciliation agreement with a licensed agent, and subject to compliance obligations.
Above all, a mere address does not create substance. Whether you are setting up a new company or transferring the registered office of an existing one, Cerno Law Firm secures your domiciliation agreement and helps you build compliant substance (governance, resources, local decision-making).
Company domiciliation in Luxembourg: when should you call on the firm?
You need to establish the registered office of a Luxembourg company.
Domiciliation is regulated and is often wrongly confused with a mere letterbox.
What happens if you do nothing?
Domiciliation by an unlicensed person (which is illegal), a non-compliant agreement, or a lack of substance leading to reclassification or to the tax benefits being called into question.
An address with no economic reality does not protect the company.
How does the firm step in?
Framing the domiciliation agreement with a licensed agent, compliance advice and support with substance.
Articulation with the structuring of the company (SOPARFI, and others).
Practice areas
When to call on the firm
- Establish the registered office of a new company.
- Regularise a non-compliant domiciliation.
- Strengthen the substance of a holding company.
- Transfer the registered office of an existing company.
- Change domiciliation agent.
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Our framing fees are separate from the domiciliation agent\'s charges.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who may domicile a company in Luxembourg?
Only a professional licensed within the meaning of the Law of 31 May 1999: a lawyer, notary, chartered accountant, auditor or PSF. Domiciliation by an unlicensed person is illegal.
Is domiciliation enough to create substance?
No. An address does not create substance. The company must have resources, governance and genuine decision-making in Luxembourg, especially in light of the anti-abuse rules in force.
Is a written agreement required?
Yes. A written domiciliation agreement between the company and the domiciliation agent is mandatory.
How much does domiciliation cost in Luxembourg?
The domiciliation agent\'s fees vary depending on the provider and the services included. The firm charges separately for the legal framing of the agreement; everything is quoted before any engagement.
Can the registered office of an existing company be transferred?
Yes. Transferring the registered office to a domiciled address requires a corporate decision, an update at the RCS and a compliant domiciliation agreement. The firm handles the operation.
What is an authorised domiciliation agent?
It is a professional authorised to provide a registered office and associated services to a company: a lawyer registered on List I, a chartered accountant, an auditor or a financial sector professional. The agent bears legal obligations of compliance and of keeping the registers.
Can a lawyer domicile my company?
Yes. A lawyer registered on List I of the Luxembourg Bar can act as a domiciliation agent and provide, in addition to the address, the legal advice and governance support required.
What obligations apply to the domiciled company?
Keeping accounts, filing the accounts, updating the RBE, cooperating with the domiciliation agent's compliance obligations and maintaining genuine substance in Luxembourg.
How do you terminate a domiciliation agreement?
According to the terms of the agreement and compliance with a notice period. A transfer of the registered office must be organised to avoid any irregularity at the trade register. The firm secures this transition.
Quick answer
What is the domiciliation of a company in Luxembourg?
Domiciliation means establishing a company's registered office at an address in Luxembourg, provided by an authorised domiciliation agent (lawyer, chartered accountant or PFS). It is governed by law: it requires a domiciliation agreement and genuine substance, and is not limited to a mere letterbox.
Our approach
A pragmatic reading of every case
Our aim is not only to explain the rule, but to identify the most effective route to your objectives. Every matter is analysed from three angles.
Legal risk
The applicable rule, deadlines and possible points of dispute.
Operational risk
The concrete impact on your business, your contracts and your organisation.
Financial risk
The cost of a decision, a dispute or inaction, quantified upfront.
Expertise
Domiciliation, from agreement to substance
Legal framework
- Authorised domiciliation agent
- Domiciliation agreement
- Obligations of the domiciliation agent
- Domiciliation law
Substance and governance
- Effective registered office
- Central administration
- Decisions taken in Luxembourg
- Substance review
Setting up
- Choice of domiciliation agent
- Agreement and term
- Address and services
- Coordination with the RCS and the RBE
Compliance
- KYC and beneficial owners
- Anti-money laundering
- Keeping the registers
- Renewal and termination
Typical situations
The engagements we handle in this area
International holding
Domiciliation and setting up the substance of a SOPARFI.
Company being formed
Domiciliation from incorporation, coordinated with registration.
Substance upgrade
Strengthening the substance of an existing holding.
Illustrative situations describing types of engagement, not identifiable client matters or results obtained. Every matter is handled and validated by a lawyer registered with the Luxembourg Bar.
They entrust us with their cases
Varied profiles, the same standard of excellence
- Entrepreneurs setting up their company in Luxembourg
- International investors
- SME executives
- International groups
- Expatriates and international families
- Employers recruiting foreign talent
Explore our key areas of expertise
Company, substance and compliance
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Founded in 2013; Maître Cora Maglo has been admitted to the Luxembourg Bar since 2009
- 2013
- independent firm
- 2009
- at the Bar since 2009
- 4,7/5
- 81 Google reviewsRead reviews
Expertise & authority
Ongoing review and analysis of Luxembourg and European case law
Avocate à la Cour, List I of the Luxembourg Bar since 2009
Trained at the London School of Economics, formerly at Clifford Chance and Bonn Steichen & Partners
Member of international networks: EILN, AEA, Cross Border Advisory Solutions
Every matter handled and approved by a lawyer admitted to the Bar
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Had a consultation with Me Cora Maglo about my Luxembourg Blue Card application. She explained everything clearly: the process, timeline and documents I need, and helped me with my wife’s family reunification too. Honest and practical advice. I felt confident after talking to her.F. P.J’ai beaucoup apprécié le service de Maître Maglo : son sérieux, sa sympathie, son professionnalisme et sa disponibilité. Toujours répondu rapidement et clairement, avec des conseils pragmatiques, sans pousser à des procédures longues et coûteuses lorsqu’elles ne sont pas justifiées.N. W.Super assistance and great support! Highly recommend. All my questions were answered, Cora and her team kept me updated all the time. I will definitely reach out to them next time for my residency.T.They talk about us
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