Expansion in Europe is a smart, logical step for many businesses that want to enter into new markets and boost revenue. However, EU expansion requires a lot of consideration and must be done tactically to ensure there is:
- Demand in the region
- Infrastructure to support the business
- Workforce availability
- Much more
With 27 countries in the EU and 45+ in all of Europe, it’s crucial to choose the right country with a central location that will empower your business with the right mix of pricing, infrastructure, demand and more. The following are amongst the most developed European countries to consider for your business.
Best Countries for Business in Europe
If you’re considering expansion in Europe and not only the European Union, the following countries are the best for business:
Germany
One of the richest countries in Europe, Germany has a great landscape that caters to small- and medium-sized enterprises. The workforce is exceptionally talented, and the country is known for attracting investors, which may further benefit your business.
A few of the many reasons to consider Germany for expansion in the EU include:
- 56% of the population speaks English
- Highly developed infrastructure
- Economically stable
- Talented workforce
Norway
Norway is not part of the European Union, but it’s one of the best countries to do business in. The perks of expanding into Norway are vast, and they include:
- Strong commitment to innovate
- In the top 10 most friendly countries to do business
- Highly advanced infrastructure
- A skilled and educated workforce
Innovation remains at the forefront of Norway’s business landscape, and its strong economy lends to its ability to attract businesses from across the world.
Denmark
Denmark often ranks at the top of the best places in Europe to do business, and it is part of the EU, too. The economy is a free-market, capitalist structure, which will make doing business in the country much easier.
Your business will also benefit from Denmark’s:
- Multi-lingual workforce, which makes transitioning much easier
- Advanced research and development, which is among the best in the world
- Position as a major hub for cleantech, biotech, energy, tech in general and food innovation
You’ll also find a number of large corporations already in the country.
Sweden
Sweden is one of the most developed European countries, and it’s often a top choice for expansion in Europe. Over 10 million people live in the country, so it has a decent-sized workforce and an abundance of skilled labor.
Ranked in the top 10 countries in the world for ease of doing business, Sweden offers:
- Competitive, open economy
- Government investments in numerous industries
- Ease of legal obligations thanks to online platforms
- Lowest corporate tax in the union
Sweden is also considered “very friendly” for startups, so it’s a good choice for innovative, cutting-edge businesses.
Finland
Finland is one of the best countries in the world if you’re a startup, and it has a predictable, stable economy, too. The country is industrialized, with massive investments in research and development.
Some of the many perks of doing business in Finland include:
- Free trade laws
- Advanced and reliable infrastructure
- Workforce is very skilled and educated
Finland is known for hosting many foreign companies, especially those that make significant investments.
Switzerland
Switzerland is routinely in the top 5 – 7 best countries in Europe to do business, and it’s a massive hub for foreign investors. Offering easy access to the single EU market, the country is known for:
- Being a center of innovation
- Extremely skilled workforce
- Ease of transforming research into products
- Lenient taxes
Switzerland is known for being energetic and flexible, and it has amazing infrastructure, which makes expansion into the country even easier.
Europe has a massive landscape, and offering close proximity and access to the EU and its member states is often the main consideration when expanding into the region. However, you’ll find that there are a lot of other countries in Europe that offer great business landscapes which did not make the list:
- Netherlands
- Iceland
- Austria
- Estonia
- Ireland
- Belgium
- France
- Spain
Each country has its own benefits and drawbacks, but they’re all great options to consider as Europe aims to boost its economies. Ireland has a favorable tax landscape for businesses and has a low entry due to the spoken language being English. The United Kingdom is another consideration and ranks highly in the list of best countries to expand into for business.
For those seriously considering expanding a business into a different country, be sure to do your due diligence.
These are the best countries for business in Europe, which your company should research more to determine if they’re a good fit for your operations. Each country has its own perks and drawbacks, which may be beneficial for your business.
