Procedures
What to actually do, in order
Each procedure sets out who may file, the deadline that ends your right to act, every document you must produce, the realistic timeline and cost, and the specific pitfalls that cause cases to fail on technicalities.
- AustriaImmigrationintermediate
Apply for a Red-White-Red Card in Austria
Obtain the points-based work-and-residence permit for qualified third-country nationals. You need a binding job offer, enough points across qualifications, experience, language and age, and a salary meeting the statutory minimum for your category.
6 steps Around 8-12 weeks after a complete application Application fees plus certified translations and document authentication - MonacoImmigrationintermediate
Apply for a residence card (carte de sรฉjour) in Monaco
Obtain the right to live in Monaco. You must secure accommodation in the Principality, prove sufficient financial means, and provide a clean criminal record. Non-EU nationals must first obtain a long-stay visa through France before applying locally.
6 steps Around 2-3 months once accommodation and the bank attestation are in place Administrative fees; the main cost is securing accommodation and the required bank balance - LiechtensteinImmigrationadvanced
Apply for a residence permit in Liechtenstein (quota and lottery)
Secure the right to live in Liechtenstein, where residence is capped by annual quotas. EEA nationals can enter a twice-yearly residence lottery, while others are admitted mainly through employer-linked or family routes within the same tight limits.
6 steps Tied to the lottery rounds and quota availability; can take a long time Application and permit fees - LuxembourgImmigrationintermediate
Apply for an EU Blue Card in Luxembourg
Move to Luxembourg for highly qualified employment. A third-country national needs a qualifying job and salary, must obtain a temporary authorisation to stay before arriving, and then applies for the residence permit within three months of entry.
6 steps Roughly 8-12 weeks for the authorisation, then the in-country steps Application and residence-permit fees, plus document legalisation and translation - United KingdomSuccessionintermediate
Apply for probate in England and Wales
A grant of probate authorises executors to administer an estate. Inheritance tax reporting must be settled before the grant issues.
7 steps 8-16 weeks after the tax position is settled ยฃ300 application fee for estates over ยฃ5,000, plus ยฃ1.50 per extra copy - FranceEmploymentintermediate
Bring a claim before the Conseil de prud'hommes
France's specialist labour court hears individual employment disputes with elected employer and employee judges sitting together.
7 steps 12-18 months including the conciliation phase No court fee; lawyer optional but common - BelgiumLitigationbeginner
Bring a claim before the justice of the peace in Belgium
The justice of the peace is the most accessible Belgian court and where most disputes between individuals belong. It hears smaller money claims plus a mandatory list that includes residential tenancy, neighbour disputes, consumer credit and unpaid utility bills โ whatever the amount. You may appear in person without a lawyer.
8 steps Two to six months to judgment in an undefended case Registry fee plus a contribution to the Legal Aid Fund; bailiff costs where a writ is used. Legal aid (pro deo) available on income grounds. - NetherlandsLitigationbeginner
Bring a money claim at the subdistrict court (kantonrechter)
Recover an unpaid debt or resolve an employment or tenancy dispute before the kantonrechter, the division of the district court where you may act without a lawyer. It hears civil claims up to EUR 25,000 and all employment and tenancy cases regardless of value.
7 steps Roughly 6 weeks to several months, depending on whether the defendant defends Court registration fee (griffierecht) scaled to the claim and the claimant type; reduced rates for low incomes - United KingdomEmploymentintermediate
Bring an unfair dismissal claim in the UK
Challenge a dismissal at the Employment Tribunal. Acas early conciliation is a compulsory first step and the deadline is unforgiving.
9 steps 6-12 months to final hearing No tribunal fee; representation optional - NetherlandsEmploymentintermediate
Dismiss an employee lawfully in the Netherlands
Dutch law does not allow an employer to dismiss at will. Depending on the reason, permission must be sought from the UWV (economic grounds or long-term illness) or the subdistrict court (personal or performance grounds), and a statutory transition payment is normally owed.
6 steps UWV route around 4-6 weeks; court route roughly 1-3 months No UWV fee; court fee for the kanton route; transition payment owed to the employee - SwitzerlandFamilybeginner
Divorce by joint request in Switzerland
End a marriage cooperatively before the cantonal court. Spouses who agree can divorce at any time by joint request, submitting a comprehensive agreement on the consequences; where they do not fully agree, the court decides the open points.
6 steps A few months, depending on the canton and the court's schedule Court fees set by the canton; lawyer fees optional but common for the agreement - LiechtensteinBusinessadvanced
Establish a private foundation (Stiftung) in Liechtenstein
Set up a Liechtenstein private foundation under the Law on Persons and Companies (PGR), a distinctive vehicle for holding and passing on assets. It requires a founder, a dedicated endowment, and a clear statement of purpose and beneficiaries.
6 steps A few weeks, depending on due diligence and structuring Minimum endowment of CHF 30,000, plus notarial, trustee and registration fees - BelgiumRegulatory complaintbeginner
File a data protection complaint in Belgium
If an organisation ignores your GDPR rights โ refusing access to your data, failing to erase it, or processing without a lawful basis โ you can complain to the Belgian Data Protection Authority. Its Litigation Chamber can order compliance and impose fines. The procedure is free.
8 steps Several months; admissibility is decided first, then the substance Free - BrazilEmploymentintermediate
File a labour claim in Brazil
Brazil's specialist labour courts hear employment claims with a mandatory conciliation hearing and, for lower-value claims, a simplified procedure.
7 steps 8-18 months at first instance No fee for claimants earning below the threshold; lawyer required except in the simplified track - United Arab EmiratesEmploymentbeginner
File a labour complaint with MOHRE in the UAE
MOHRE handles private-sector employment complaints and attempts amicable settlement before any referral to the labour court.
7 steps 2-8 weeks at the MOHRE stage Free at MOHRE; court fees waived for claims under AED 100,000 - United StatesLitigationbeginner
File a small claims case in California
Recover up to $12,500 as an individual without a lawyer. Small claims court is designed to be used without representation and hearings are informal.
9 steps 30-70 days from filing to hearing $30-$75 filing fee, plus service costs - AustriaFamilybeginner
Get an amicable divorce (ยง55a) in Austria
End a marriage cooperatively at the district court. An amicable divorce under ยง55a of the Marriage Act needs at least six months of separation, agreement that the marriage has broken down, and a complete settlement of the consequences.
6 steps Often a single hearing within a few weeks once the agreement is ready Court fees; lawyer or notary fees for the settlement agreement are optional but common - GermanyCompany formationintermediate
Incorporate a GmbH in Germany
Form Germany's standard limited liability company. The process runs through a notary and completes on entry in the commercial register.
8 steps 3-6 weeks โฌ25,000 share capital (half paid in), โฌ800-โฌ2,500 notary and register fees - IrelandBusinessintermediate
Incorporate a private company limited by shares (LTD) in Ireland
Register an LTD with the Companies Registration Office under the Companies Act 2014. There is no minimum share capital, and most incorporations are filed online through CORE.
6 steps About 5-10 working days online CRO filing fee (lower online); no minimum capital - IndiaCompany formationintermediate
Incorporate a private limited company in India
Register through the MCA's integrated SPICe+ form, which combines name reservation, incorporation, PAN, TAN and EPFO registration.
8 steps 7-15 working days โน5,000-โน15,000 in government and professional fees - SingaporeCompany formationbeginner
Incorporate a private limited company in Singapore
One of the fastest incorporations in the world. ACRA's BizFile+ portal can approve a company within a single working day.
7 steps 1-3 working days S$15 name application, S$300 incorporation fee - MonacoBusinessadvanced
Obtain a business authorisation and form a company in Monaco
Start a business in Monaco, where any commercial activity needs prior government authorisation on top of forming a company. The common vehicles are the SARL (EUR 15,000 capital) and the SAM (EUR 150,000 capital), and both must open a Monaco bank account.
6 steps Typically 2-4 months, driven by the authorisation review Share capital (EUR 15,000 SARL / EUR 150,000 SAM) plus notary, registration and administrative fees - South AfricaEmploymentbeginner
Refer an unfair dismissal dispute to the CCMA
The CCMA provides free conciliation and arbitration for dismissal disputes. Most cases never reach the Labour Court.
7 steps 30-90 days to arbitration award Free - LuxembourgBusinessintermediate
Register a SARL with the Luxembourg Trade and Companies Register
Form a Luxembourg private limited company (SARL), the standard vehicle for trading and holding activity. It requires EUR 12,000 of fully subscribed capital, a notarial deed and registration with the Trade and Companies Register (RCS).
6 steps Around 1-3 weeks once capital and documents are ready EUR 12,000 share capital (retained by the company), plus notary and RCS fees - United StatesIntellectual propertyintermediate
Register a federal trade mark in the United States
Federal registration with the USPTO gives nationwide rights, a presumption of validity and access to the federal courts.
8 steps 12-18 months to registration $250-$350 per class of goods or services - LatviaBusinessintermediate
Register a limited liability company (SIA) in Latvia
Form a SIA and register it with the Register of Enterprises. A standard SIA needs EUR 2,800 in capital, while a reduced-capital SIA allows less subject to conditions.
6 steps About 1-3 working days once documents are filed State and publication fees; EUR 2,800 capital (less for a reduced-capital SIA) - SwedenBusinessintermediate
Register a private limited company (AB) in Sweden
Form an AB and register it with Bolagsverket. The company needs SEK 25,000 in share capital, and registration can be filed online through verksamt.se.
5 steps Typically 1-3 weeks SEK 25,000 minimum capital plus a registration fee - NorwayBusinessintermediate
Register a private limited company (AS) in Norway
Form an AS and register it with the Brรธnnรธysund Register Centre through the Altinn portal. The company needs NOK 30,000 in share capital.
5 steps Typically 1-3 weeks NOK 30,000 minimum capital plus a registration fee - DenmarkBusinessintermediate
Register a private limited company (ApS) in Denmark
Form an ApS entirely online through Virk.dk. Registration is fast once you have DKK 20,000 in share capital and a Danish digital identity (MitID) or an authorised agent.
6 steps Often same-day once documents and capital are ready DKK 20,000 minimum capital plus a modest registration fee - FinlandBusinessintermediate
Register a private limited company (Oy) in Finland
Establish an Oy through the Business Information System (BIS/YTJ). Since 2019 no minimum share capital is required, so the main steps are drafting the deed and registering with the Patent and Registration Office.
6 steps A few days to a couple of weeks Registration fee (lower online); no minimum capital required - EstoniaBusinessbeginner
Register a private limited company (Oร) online in Estonia
Form an Oร fully online through the e-Business Register, including as an e-resident. Share capital can be paid in over time, making Estonia one of the fastest places to incorporate.
6 steps Often same-day online State fee for online registration; capital contribution can be deferred - LithuaniaBusinessintermediate
Register a private limited company (UAB) in Lithuania
Form a UAB and register it with the Centre of Registers. The company needs EUR 1,000 in authorised capital, and electronic incorporation is available to holders of a qualified e-signature.
6 steps About 3-5 working days (faster electronically) Registration fee plus EUR 1,000 minimum capital - IcelandBusinessintermediate
Register a private limited company (ehf) in Iceland
Form an ehf and register it with the Register of Enterprises at Iceland Revenue and Customs (Skatturinn). The company needs ISK 500,000 in share capital.
5 steps Typically 1-2 weeks ISK 500,000 minimum capital plus a registration fee - SwitzerlandBusinessintermediate
Set up a GmbH (limited liability company) in Switzerland
Form a Swiss GmbH/Sร rl, the most common vehicle for small and medium businesses. It requires CHF 20,000 of fully paid capital, a public deed before a notary and entry in the cantonal commercial register, and at least one representative resident in Switzerland.
6 steps Roughly 2-4 weeks once the capital account and documents are ready CHF 20,000 share capital (retained by the company), plus notary and commercial-register fees - JapanEmploymentintermediate
Use the labour tribunal (rลdล shinpan) in Japan
A three-session procedure before a judge and two lay members that resolves individual employment disputes far faster than ordinary litigation.
6 steps About three months, typically three hearings Court fees scaled to claim value; roughly half of ordinary litigation