Purchase a Ready-Made Company in Romania
Shelf company acquisition — existing registration · immediate operational start · 7–10 day transfer
A ready-made company — also known as a shelf company — is a pre-registered Romanian SRL (Societate cu Răspundere Limitată) that has never conducted any business activity. It holds a valid registration number at the Romanian Trade Register (ONRC), an existing tax identification number (CUI) and a complete set of incorporation documents, but has no trading history, liabilities, employees or bank accounts.
Ownership is transferred to the new buyer through a share transfer process coordinated by Romania For Business SRL. After transfer, the company can begin operating immediately under the new owner’s name and management.
A shelf company transfer is faster than fresh incorporation. Once due diligence is complete and transfer documents are signed, the change of ownership is registered at the Trade Register in 7–10 working days — and the company is immediately ready to operate.
When Does a Ready-Made Company Make Sense?
Most international founders register a new SRL — it is simpler, cheaper and fully customised to their needs. A shelf company is the better choice in a specific set of circumstances:
Choose a shelf company when…
- You need to present an established registration date to a bank, investor or tender authority
- Speed is critical — you need the company operational within 10 days
- You want an existing CUI number for a contract or partnership that requires it
- You plan to apply for VAT registration immediately and want a company with a longer registered history
- You are acquiring an operational target alongside the shelf entity
Choose fresh incorporation when…
- You want a fully customised company name
- Cost is a priority — fresh incorporation is significantly cheaper
- You have 2–4 weeks before you need to operate
- You have specific share capital, ownership or governance requirements
- No historical registration date advantage is needed
New Company vs Ready-Made Company — Comparison
| Factor | New SRL formation | Ready-made company |
|---|---|---|
| Time to operational status | 5–15 working days | 7–10 working days |
| Cost | Lower (~€700–1,500) | Higher (~€3,000–4,000) |
| Company name | ✓ Fully chosen by you | Existing (can be changed) |
| Registration date | Current date | ✓ Historical — existing date |
| Prior activity / liabilities | ✓ None — clean start | Must be verified (due diligence) |
| Customisation (activities, capital) | ✓ Full control at setup | ✓ Amendable post-transfer |
| Suitable for tenders requiring history | ✗ New company — no history | ✓ Existing registration |
| Suitable for immediate VAT registration | Standard process | ✓ Established history can help |
| Share capital flexibility | ✓ Set by founder | Existing — can be amended |
| Due diligence required | ✗ Not needed | ✓ Required before purchase |
Due Diligence Before Acquisition
Before any shelf company is offered to a buyer, Romania For Business SRL conducts a thorough due diligence review to confirm the company is genuinely clean — no activity, no debts, no employees, no pending proceedings and no outstanding obligations. This verification is included in the acquisition package and is a mandatory first step in every transfer.
| Check | What we verify | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Register extract (ONRC) | Company status, registration date, current ownership, any registered pledges or restrictions | ONRC public register |
| ANAF tax authority check | No outstanding tax liabilities, penalties or enforcement proceedings; tax compliance history | ANAF public portal |
| Court registry check | No pending or active litigation, insolvency proceedings or court-ordered restrictions on the company | ECRIS / BPI register |
| UBO declaration | Beneficial owner declaration filed and current; no discrepancies in ownership information | Trade Register UBO file |
| Social security / REVISAL check | No registered employees or social contribution obligations outstanding | REVISAL employee register |
| Bank account status | Confirmation that no bank accounts are active with outstanding obligations | Client / seller declaration |
| Registered activities (CAEN) | Activities registered are confirmed as matching the intended scope or can be amended post-transfer | Trade Register extract |
| Legal address | Lease for legal address is valid at transfer date; renewal terms confirmed | Lease agreement review |
Even companies described as ‘clean’ by a seller should be independently verified before transfer. Romania For Business SRL confirms the clean status of every company from authoritative public registers before any transfer proceeds. We do not proceed with a transfer until all checks are clear.
How the Shelf Company Transfer Process Works
The transfer follows a structured process managed by Romania For Business SRL. The buyer does not need to visit Romania — the transfer can be completed remotely using a notarised power of attorney or EU qualified electronic signature.
Consultation & company selection
Due diligence checks completed
Transfer documents prepared
Documents signed by buyer & seller
ONRC filing — change of ownership
New registration certificate issued
Director change & UBO updated
Company operational under new owner
After the new registration certificate is issued in the buyer’s name, the company can begin operating, open a bank account and start trading. ANAF notification of the change of ownership is handled by our team as part of the transfer package.
PURCHASE OF A READY-MADE (SHELF) COMPANY IN ROMANIA
all-inclusive
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Pre-registered Romanian SRL with clean status (no prior activity, debts or employees)
- Full due diligence verification — Trade Register, ANAF, court registry and UBO register checks
- Share transfer agreement prepared in Romanian and English
- New director appointment documentation
- Trade Register filing for change of ownership (ONRC)
- Updated beneficial owner (UBO) declaration
- New registration certificate issued in buyer’s name
- Company name change (optional — coordinated as part of transfer)
- Updated CAEN codes / business activities (if required)
- Virtual office / legal address in Bucharest for 1 year
- Full bilingual document package delivered digitally after transfer
OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
- VAT registration (national or EU/VIES) + €150
- Additional shareholder due diligence (per person) + €100
- Bank account opening coordination + €300
- EORI number registration + €200
- Personal NIF tax ID for new shareholder / director + €300
- Apostille of transfer documents (country dependent) on request
- Legal address renewal (year 2 onwards) from €210/yr
- Accounting setup & first-month onboarding on request
Shelf Company Transfer Timeline — Stage by Stage
| Stage | Typical duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation & company selection | 1–2 working days | We identify suitable clean companies from available inventory |
| Due diligence checks | 2–3 working days | ONRC, ANAF, court registry, UBO and REVISAL checks completed |
| Due diligence report delivered to buyer | Same day as completion | Written confirmation of clean status provided before any payment |
| Transfer documents prepared | 1–2 working days | Share transfer agreement, director appointment, PoA prepared (bilingual) |
| Buyer signs documents | Client-dependent | Remote (notarised PoA or EU e-signature) or in person in Romania |
| Seller signs transfer agreement | 1–2 working days | Coordinated by Romania For Business SRL |
| ONRC filing — change of ownership | Day of receipt | Filed immediately once all signed documents are received |
| Trade Register processing | 3–5 working days | Standard ONRC processing time from filing date |
| New registration certificate issued | Day of approval | Company is now legally owned and managed by the buyer |
| ANAF notification & document handover | 1–2 working days | Full bilingual document package delivered digitally |
Total typical transfer timeline: 7–10 working days from due diligence completion to registration certificate in buyer’s name.
Timeline assumes remote signing via notarised PoA. In-person signing in Romania reduces total timeline by eliminating courier transit time.
What Can Be Changed After the Transfer?
A shelf company can be fully adapted to the buyer’s requirements. The following changes can be made as part of the transfer process or immediately afterwards — all coordinated by Romania For Business SRL.
| What can be changed | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company name | As part of transfer or shortly after | New name subject to availability check at ONRC |
| Registered business activities (CAEN codes) | As part of transfer or anytime after | Multiple codes can be added; some require licences |
| Legal address / registered office | Immediately after transfer | New lease or virtual office arrangement required |
| Directors (administrators) | As part of transfer | Old director replaced; new director appointed simultaneously |
| Shareholders / ownership structure | Transfer IS the ownership change | Additional changes possible after transfer via further filings |
| Share capital | After transfer — separate filing | Increase requires shareholders’ resolution + Trade Register filing |
| Articles of Association | After transfer | Can be fully restated to reflect buyer’s preferences |
| Tax regime | Confirmed at first tax filing | Microenterprise or standard CIT — adviser confirms appropriate regime |

