A ready-made (shelf) company is an already registered legal entity sold together with its history and sometimes a bank account, VAT number or licence. A new company is cleaner and cheaper, but banks, payment providers and counterparties need time before they trust it.
When a ready-made company makes sense
- You need company age. Some tenders, marketplaces and partners look at the incorporation date.
- You need a licence or regulator registration. A Canadian MSB, a VASP or an investment licence takes months; a ready structure saves that time.
- You need a VAT number or an open account. In Romania, Poland or Bulgaria VAT for a new company can take a while.
- You need to start fast. A change of ownership usually takes from a few days to a few weeks.
When a new company is better
If you do not need age, an account or a licence, a new company is simpler: no inherited history and no past liabilities to check. See company formation and jurisdiction selection.
Comparison
| Point | Ready-made company | New company |
|---|---|---|
| Time to start | Days or weeks | Weeks or months, plus time for the account |
| History and age | Yes | No |
| Account, VAT, licence | Can be included | Obtained from scratch |
| Legacy risk | Needs checking | None |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
What to check before buying
- a current registry extract and the articles;
- filings and taxes: no debts or penalties;
- trading history and counterparties;
- the bank: will it accept the new owner or require fresh KYC;
- the licence: what the regulator requires on a change of control.
Will the bank account survive the purchase?
Not always. The bank runs KYC on the new owner and may close the account if the business profile does not fit. We confirm the bank's change-of-control process in advance.
Can I buy a ready-made company remotely?
In most jurisdictions yes: documents are signed electronically or before a notary with an apostille in your country.
How much does a ready-made company cost?
From a few hundred euros for a clean US or UK company to tens of thousands for a licensed one. Prices per country are in the catalogue.
Every company in stock is in the CrystalCore ready-made companies catalogue: Canada, Poland, Romania, the UK, Hong Kong, Turkey, the UAE, Estonia and more. See also ready-made companies, turnkey.