You have chosen a name, set your prices and found an address. Before starting the activity, one key question remains: what conditions must you meet in order to carry it out? The business permit is not simply a document added to the company formation file. It must correspond to the actual activity, the person managing it and its establishment. Here is a method for preparing a coherent application.
The framework to review
Commercial and craft activities, as well as certain liberal professions, are subject to authorisation, with exceptions and specific regimes. The conditions include, in particular, professional integrity, qualifications where required, suitable premises and effective management by a manager with a genuine connection to the company. The administrative fees announced by Guichet.lu are 50 euros. The standard processing time applies to a complete application; do not turn it into a guaranteed start date.
Defining the scope of your activity
Write down what you will actually sell, to which customers and how the work will be carried out. A broad description such as “business services” may cover different services. Distinguish between consulting, intermediation, sales, installation, repair or any other relevant component. This description must make it possible to identify the rules and qualifications to be reviewed.
Separate what will start immediately from what constitutes a future extension. If several activities are planned, indicate how they fit together rather than retaining only one to simplify the form. Also present cases where you operate at the customer's premises or from another country. A temporary cross-border service must not automatically be treated as a permanent establishment.
Identifying the person who effectively manages
Specify who will make day-to-day decisions, organise the work and monitor the company's commitments. The holder of the business permit must meet the applicable conditions; a purely nominal presence does not constitute a management organisation. Ensure that mandates, responsibilities and the reality of the operation correspond.
Gather the information required to assess professional integrity and any qualifications. These two matters are distinct. A diploma does not answer all questions about a person's background, and experience must be presented in forms relevant to the activity. Check the list of documents suited to the profile rather than reusing that of another business founder.
Checking that the premises match the project
Describe the planned establishment and material requirements: reception area, workshop, storage, office or other functions. A correspondence address alone does not demonstrate that the location is suitable for the activity. Review the terms of the lease, permitted use and any additional authorisations that may be required depending on the project.
If a registered office service is envisaged, have its compatibility with the actual requirements of the activity assessed. Do not present this solution as a universal substitute for premises and on-site management. Before making a significant commitment, align the establishment project with the permit application in order to avoid two incompatible choices.
Preparing and monitoring the application
The online process adapts the requested documents to the information entered. Prepare a checklist showing the document, the person providing it, its date and its status. Keep a copy of what is submitted. A document received by email but never attached to the application must remain marked as missing in the tracking process.
Designate the person who monitors messages and prepares additional responses. The announced time limit for a complete application does not begin simply because you have created a draft. If information changes during the review, have the update to be submitted assessed. Coordinate the company formation and other procedures with the relevant parties.
Organising follow-up after issuance
The permit does not complete all company formation steps. Prepare the tax, social security and professional procedures that apply to your situation, including VAT registration where required. Also check the information and identifiers to be included on your materials. The person preparing invoice templates must receive the validated information.
Keep a register of changes: manager, activity, place of business or other elements of the application. Some require a new permit, while others require notification within the applicable time limit. Have the change classified before considering that an amendment in the register or in the articles of association is sufficient. The operating conditions must continue to be met throughout the life of the company.
The table to take action
| Topic | Question to clarify | Working document |
|---|---|---|
| Activity | What exactly do we do? | Description of services and customers |
| Management | Who actually manages the company? | Allocation of responsibilities and mandates |
| Qualifications | What requirements apply to this activity? | Background, diplomas and supporting documents to review |
| Establishment | Is the location suitable for the planned operations? | Use plan, lease and material requirements |
| Follow-up | Who responds and tracks changes? | Schedule and correspondence file |
The address has been found, but the organisation still needs to be specified
Fictional example: two partners are preparing a company to sell and install equipment. They have reserved an office address and described their project as a commercial activity. By detailing the service, they find that installation represents a genuine part of the work. They therefore have the scope of the activity, qualifications and material requirements reviewed before finalising the application. They specify who will manage the team and where the equipment will be stored. This clarification may change the documents to be gathered and the timetable. It avoids treating the permit as a formality separate from what the company will actually do at its customers' premises.
Your preparation checklist
- Describe each activity and how it is carried out.
- Identify the effective manager and their responsibilities.
- Check professional integrity and qualifications according to the profile.
- Review the compatibility of the establishment and the lease.
- Use the relevant official list of documents.
- Keep a copy of the submission and responses received.
- Prepare the procedures to be completed after issuance.
- Organise the reporting of changes.
Frequently asked questions
Is forming a company sufficient to carry out any activity?
No. Formation and authorisation address different issues. The conditions specific to the activity must be reviewed.
Is a registered office address always sufficient?
No. The establishment must meet the requirements and needs of the activity. Compatibility must be assessed specifically.
Must the application be reviewed when the manager changes?
Yes. Replacing the person on whom the conditions rely may require a new procedure. Do not assume that amending the articles of association resolves everything.
Useful terms in this guide
Questions to ask the professional
- Which qualification corresponds to our actual activity?
- Which documents depend on the manager's background?
- Which changes must we notify or have authorised?
To clarify the assignment to be entrusted, also consult our company formation file.
What about your situation?
Before your appointment, prepare an activity description, a management structure and information about the premises. These are three useful foundations for identifying difficulties early. To coordinate the formation and its procedures, search our directory for a professional suited to your project and specify the expected scope of support.
Sources and verification
References consulted on 20 September 2026. Official procedures specify the applicable conditions and exceptions.
This guide explains a general process. The applicable rules depend on your situation; it does not constitute personalised advice. Report a correction.
Your next step
A specific need deserves the right contact
Accounting, taxation, company formation or payroll: prepare your questions, then search the directory for the professional who can review your situation. Check their assignments and status before entrusting them with your file.