There are several ways in which foreign enterprises can open companies in Lithuania. Two of the most popular are the registration of a new company and the purchase of a ready-made company, also known as a shelf company. Our consultants, who are specialized in company formation in Lithuania, can also assist you if you want to buy a shelf company in Lithuania.
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What is a shelf company?
A shelf company (also known as ready-made company) is a legal entity that has been incorporated for the purpose of being sold to interested parties. The shelf company is an alternative to the process of company formation in Lithuania, as the mandatory incorporation steps have already been concluded.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Legal entities available for shelf company | The most common way to buy a shelf company in Lithuania is to opt for a entity incorporated as a limited liability company. |
Time required for purchasing the company | 1 day, if the investor has all the required documentation. |
Types of features it includes (corporate bank account, VAT number, etc) | Those who will buy a shelf company in Lithuania benefit from: legal business address, incorporation documents registered with the local authorities, subscribed capital. |
| The advantages of a shelf company | The company has already been incorporated, the new owners do not have to arrive in Lithuania for the purchase formalities if they address to local specialists, the corporate bank account can be set up remotely, the company does not have debts or other liabilities. |
| Appointing new directors (yes/no) | Yes |
| Capital increase allowed (yes/no) | Yes |
| Certificate of no commercial activities (yes/no) | Not stipulated |
| Modify the objects of activity (yes/no) |
Yes, those who buy a shelf company in Lithuania can change its activities. |
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Participants in the purchase procedure in Lithuania | The seller and the representatives appointed by the buyer (the buyer is not required to participate). |
| The cost of buying a shelf company | The costs can start from EUR 700. |
| Documents necessary for the purchase | The buyer's personal documents, information on the main changes brought to the company, the power of attorney, information on the appointed director. |
|
Taxes applied to a shelf company | The shelf company is liable to the same taxes charged to companies in Lithuania. |
| Changing the registered address (yes/no) | Yes |
| Aged shelf company available (yes/no) | Yes |
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The institution where corporate changes are registered | The Register of Legal Entities |
| Shelf company – definition | A shelf company refers to a legal entity that has been already incorporated and registered with the local authorities, and it is available for sale. |
Transfer of ownership | The transfer of ownership is done through the sale-purchase agreement. |
Capital requirements | When an investor will buy a shelf company in Lithuania, he/she does not have to comply with any capital requirements, as the company already has the minimum amount of capital required by the law. |
| Institution in charge with the registration of the new owner | The Register of Legal Entities |
| Due diligence | It is highly recommended to perform due diligence formalities if you want to buy a shelf company in Lithuania. Through due diligence, the company’s background will be checked (financial, legal). |
| Obligations after the corporate changes are made | Regardless of the modifications brought to the company after the purchase, the new owner has the obligation to report them to the Register of Legal Entities, which will update its information on the respective company. |
| Tax obligations of a shelf company | A shelf company has the same tax obligations imposed to other companies, as stipulated by the tax law. |
| Can shelf companies qualify for tax incentives and other benefits? | Yes |
| Why is the LLC the main option for shelf companies? | Because the LLC is the most common way to start a business (it is ideal for small and medium sized companies and it offers many advantages to its founders). |
| Basic management requirements for a Lithuanian LLC | 1 shareholder, 1 director, a management board. |
| Residency requirements for the shareholder | There aren’t any residency requirements for the shareholder. |
| Foreign ownership rules in Lithuania | Investors can own 100% of a company’s shares. |
| Deadline to submit paperwork with the Lithuanian registration authorities after the purchase | Investors who will buy a shelf company in Lithuania must report any changes within 5 days since the changes were made. |
| When can a legal entity be considered an aged shelf company? | An aged shelf company is one that has been incorporated for at least 2 years. |
| Where can one find available shelf companies in Lithuania? | Companies available for sale can be found in all major Lithuanian cities, but you can address our team of specialists for personalized assistance. |
What are the main categories of shelf companies?
In Lithuania, one can purchase two types of shelf companies: the first refers to ready-made companies that have been incorporated in the last year prior to their purchase, and shelf companies that have an age of at least 2 years since the incorporation (known as aged shelf companies).
Why should I buy an aged shelf company?
When buying a shelf company in Lithuania, especially an aged shelf company, you will be able to obtain a bank loan following a much simpler procedure, as the bank will know that the company has several years since its incorporation and this can become an important advantage for those who need a larger capital in the beginning phases of their business activities in Lithuania.
What is the most common legal entity for a shelf company?
Usually, the shelf company will take the form of a limited liability company in Lithuania. This is the most popular way to incorporate a legal entity in this country and this is why shelf companies are also sold under this business form.
What are some of the most common elements of a shelf company?
Those who want to buy a Lithuanian ready-made company should know that this entity can provide the following: incorporation documents, VAT number, bank account and a registered address.
Do shelf companies have any economic activity?
No. Shelf companies are simply incorporated for the purpose of being sold. They do not have economic and financial activities, nor do they have debts, liabilities and any contractual obligations towards other parties. Regardless, when you decide to purchase a shelf company, our consultants will verify all the documentation to make sure that there aren’t any hidden issues.
What is the duration of the sale procedure in 2026?
As far as the process of purchase is concerned, investors should be aware of the following:
- the standard process for Lithuania company formation takes between 5 to 10 working days;
- by selecting a shelf company, this period of time can be greatly reduced to 1-2 days, although in some cases it can increase to maximum 5 days, in the case in which various required documents have not been submitted (however, this rarely happens);
- the procedure for the actual purchase of the company can be completed in 1 day with the help of our consultants.
We invite you to watch a short presentation on how to purchase a Lithuanian shelf company:
Can I make changes to my newly purchased shelf company?
Yes. You can make changes and, in some cases, some of them are mandatory – for example, the change of ownership, which is the direct consequence of the purchase, must be reported to the authorities. Besides this, the new owner can change the following:
- the company’s trade name;
- its object of activity;
- its registered address;
- the new owner can appoint new directors;
- it is also possible to modify certain aspects of the incorporation documents (management, governance, etc.).
Where do I need to report company changes in 2026?
The new owner has the obligation to report any of the changes presented above to the Lithuanian Center of Registers. Our consultantscan offer more information on other obligations deriving from this requirement.
What are the services that can be offered by your specialists in Lithuania?
In the list below, you can observe some of the ways in which we can assist foreign investors:
- investors can rely on us for finding a suitable office for the company;
- our team will also take care of preparing the sale-purchase documents, as well as any other documents that are necessary once the change of ownership is registered;
- additionally, our consultants can help clients in the process of setting up a corporate bank account;
- investors can also obtain VAT registration services from our team;
- you can rely on us for other matters – such as obtaining business permits and licenses.
The infographic below presents some of the characteristics of the Lithuanian shelf company:
How can I be represented in the sale procedure?
If you want to be represented by our team of specialists, you need to sign the power of attorney. Through this document, our consultants will be able to complete the entire sale procedure and any other obligations arising from it.
Do you charge fees for VAT registration formalities in 2026?
Yes. In the situation in which the shelf company did not have its VAT formalities in place, our consultants can complete the procedure and register the company for VAT. For this service, we charge a standard fee of EUR 150. Please mind that our fees include the state registration fees, where applicable.
Can you offer company formation services in other European countries?
Yes. In case you need legal services in another country, for example in Hungary, we recommend our partners – LawyersHungary.com. You can also find out more details about buying an aged legal entity in another European country, such as Germany, where you can rely on our partners from CompanyFormationGermany.com.
If you are interested in buying a shelf company and need assistance, do not hesitate to contact our company registration specialists in Lithuania.