Invest in Europe

Europe, with a population of over 741 million people and a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $18.8 trillion in 2021, offers a vast and diverse market for businesses.

• Europe is home to seven of the world’s top 20 countries by GDP.
• The European Union (EU) alone has a population of over 447 million, making it the third most populous region in the world.
• Europe’s consumer spending accounts for more than 56% of its GDP.
• Europe is a leader in digital innovation, with over 460 million internet users. This digital connectivity provides businesses with opportunities for online sales and digital marketing.

Europe’s geographical position bridges the East and the West. Its advanced transport infrastructure, encompassing land, sea, and air, ensures seamless connectivity and swift movement of goods and services across borders.

• Europe has an extensive road network of over 5.5 million miles.
• Europe’s airports, such as London Heathrow and Charles de Gaulle in Paris, are among the busiest in the world.
• Europe’s freight transportation is diverse, with a significant percentage of freight carried by rail and ship due to its extensive railway network and numerous ports.

Setting up a business in Europe is a straightforward affair. The region’s business-friendly policies and digital platforms simplify the registration process, making it easy for entrepreneurs to hit the ground running.

• The European Commission provides a guide for entrepreneurs who want to start a business in the EU and help them understand the rules that apply to them.
• The EU’s Single Digital Gateway provides access to online information and procedures, assistance, and problem-solving services to encourage entrepreneurship.
• The average time to start a business in Europe is around 10 days.
• The World Bank’s Doing Business report ranks many European countries highly for ease of doing business.

Europe’s workforce is its greatest asset. With world-class education and training systems, the region nurtures a pool of highly skilled professionals that drive productivity and innovation in the business landscape.

• The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) acts as a translation device to make national qualifications more readable across Europe, promoting workers’ and learners’ mobility between countries and facilitating their lifelong learning.
• Europe is home to some of the world’s top universities and research institutions, producing a steady stream of highly qualified graduates.
• Europe has one of the highest rates of tertiary education attainment in the world.
• English is widely spoken in Europe, facilitating international business communication.

Europe is a hotbed of innovation. Its commitment to research and development is evident in the cutting-edge technologies and groundbreaking solutions that originate here, offering businesses a competitive edge in their respective industries.

• Europe is home to many global leaders in innovation and technology.
• The EU’s Horizon Europe program, with a budget of €95.5 billion for 2021-2027, is the largest transnational program dedicated to supporting research and innovation.
• Europe is home to many top-ranked universities and research institutions.
• Many European countries offer tax incentives for R&D activities.

Europe’s robust financial ecosystem and supportive government policies create a conducive environment for business growth. From funding options to tax incentives, Europe offers a range of financial benefits to businesses, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit.

• The European Investment Bank provides finance and expertise for sound and sustainable investment projects in Europe.
• The EU provides various types of financial support to businesses including grants, loans and guarantees, and venture capital.
• Europe offers a variety of incentives to attract foreign investment, including tax credits, grants, and loan guarantees.