This gets brought up quite a lot.
I'd say the UK. They have scrapped any Tax from BTC to BTC businesses, so that is a pretty damn good start.
Topic: Best EU country for a bitcoin startup? - page 2. (Read 4894 times)
Keep an eye on Jersey (Island of) - not in the EU but established financial trading links and tax efficient. Their government has just enabled laws so that the worlds regulator-approved Bitcoin investment fund has opened. They aim to get $200m dollars in the first year, so they will need to do something with it 
.
If you are on the doorstep, share a bank manager, gym membership or lap-dancing club
membership - you might be in for some extra funding as well as a healthier business environment.
.If you are on the doorstep, share a bank manager, gym membership or lap-dancing club
membership - you might be in for some extra funding as well as a healthier business environment. 
Switzerland/Luxembourg may be tax efficient domiciles for the holding company
+1 Luxembourg https://www.mercabitcoin.com/en/information/luxembourg-opens-the-door-to-bitcoin-businessQuote
Germany, Berlin is now a hotbed of btc innovation
You should be aware of the fact that Berlin is flat broke, per-capita debt id. Detroit.
Germany, Berlin is now a hotbed of btc innovation
Switzerland/Luxembourg may be tax efficient domiciles for the holding company
Switzerland/Luxembourg may be tax efficient domiciles for the holding company
Switzerland is a no-go, as not EU.
no you dont get it, its a good thing not being tied down to the monolithic EU
If you sell goods/services from one EU country to another there is no import VAT/duties. There are advantages to being inside the EU.
I think most EU countries are good for that. There are no specific laws yet that would prohibit bitcoin activity.
True, but that introduces a lot of insecurity.
Thanks to all for the replies; UK or Netherlands seem to be good options.
I would never go to Belgium, they seem to have insane taxing.
Slovenia sounds good as well, but no idea wrt the language barrier...
Switzerland is a no-go, as not EU.
I don't like the UK. Here is why:
The UK have something called Encryption Key Disclosure Laws.
This means LE can force you to provide passwords for anything encrypted, like sensitive documents or Bitcoin wallets. Additionally they can use it to force you to hand over your SSL private key. This also means that you could go to jail if you forgot your password.
I don't know if this would be an issue for your business though, but I hate travelling to the UK for this reason. It's quite scary knowing that I could go to prison if I was forced to provide my encryption passwords. I don't really have anything to hide (I'm boring) but I wouldn't provide the passwords out of principle, so if I was ever compelled by law to do so I'd have to go to prison. But it is something to think about for Bitcoin businesses as so many use crypto products.
I think most EU countries are good for that. There are no specific laws yet that would prohibit bitcoin activity.
True, but that introduces a lot of insecurity.
Thanks to all for the replies; UK or Netherlands seem to be good options.
I would never go to Belgium, they seem to have insane taxing.
Slovenia sounds good as well, but no idea wrt the language barrier...
Switzerland is a no-go, as not EU.
I think most EU countries are good for that. There are no specific laws yet that would prohibit bitcoin activity.
Actually I never thought about Switzerland they would be a awesome country to start a business up because of their banking advantages.
Yeah it's a good idea, however I noticed that the OP said EU (Switzerland is not fully part of the EU). Additionally things have changed a lot of Switzerland in relation to off-shore bank accounts. It's not as good as it used to be.
Ah that's actually correct I forgot about it had to be in the EU. But offshore would still be a pretty good choice regardless if you are opening the business in another country.
Actually I never thought about Switzerland they would be a awesome country to start a business up because of their banking advantages.
Yeah it's a good idea, however I noticed that the OP said EU (Switzerland is not fully part of the EU). Additionally things have changed a lot in Switzerland in relation to off-shore bank accounts. It's not as good as it used to be.
Actually I never thought about Switzerland they would be a awesome country to start a business up because of their banking advantages.
That sort of depends on what the business is.
If its a gambling business then Ireland is a good place, SatoshiDice have a setup there - they are lax on gambling regulations.
If its something privacy focused you may want to go for Belgium for the strong privacy laws. Netherlands also has tax-advantages (lack of capital gains tax).
If you're worried about banking issues, why not go for Slovenia, Bitstamp have no problems operating from there. Or maybe Switzerland although they have complicated relations with the EU.
Talk to a lawyer, they can advise you best.
If its a gambling business then Ireland is a good place, SatoshiDice have a setup there - they are lax on gambling regulations.
If its something privacy focused you may want to go for Belgium for the strong privacy laws. Netherlands also has tax-advantages (lack of capital gains tax).
If you're worried about banking issues, why not go for Slovenia, Bitstamp have no problems operating from there. Or maybe Switzerland although they have complicated relations with the EU.
Talk to a lawyer, they can advise you best.
London is probably the best option when they sort out some of the legal issues.
once UK sort out the banking side which i believe they will i would say UK is very bitcoin friendly
You could speak to the banks before hand or not have a UK bank. I would say UK is probably the best option as it's pretty friendly and cost efficient to accept Bitcoin in your business.
Which is at the moment the most advantageous EU country for a bitcoin startup?
Not sure, as I haven't been following the news lately.
UK for example seems to be very good on the legal side, but banks seem to
starve out all bitcoin-related business (that is rumor, though).
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