fbpx What’s cookin’ in the EU?

What’s cookin’ in the EU?

In our second newsletter, We explore Lithuania as Europes largest fintech hub, home to 260+ startups, including global players like NordVPN and Vinted. Dive into the thriving tech ecosystem, cybersecurity success, and festive highlights from the Baltic region.

1 Lithuania is the largest Fintech hub in Europe, hosting 260+ companies!

Some standout Lithuanian tech co’s include Nasdaq (yes – the US stock market) which is based in Lithuania, along with NordVPN, Vinted, Revolut and BCP all of which were Lithuanianstartups and are now well on their way to becoming multi-billion dollar unicorns in their own right.. (ok, ok.. we may have slipped one in there at the end that isn’t technically a unicorn yet – but we do have BIG plans! ; )

You can learn more thanks to our friends at here

Startup Lithuania - Lithuanian startups, Innovations in Lithuania, Tech in Lithuania, Co-creator Grant Startup, Create startup in Lithuania
Startup Lithuania – Lithuanian startups, Innovations in Lithuania, Tech in Lithuania, Co-creator Grant Startup, Create startup in Lithuania
“Check out Startup Lithuania – a one-stop-shop for current and future startups in Lithuania. It contributes to the national startup ecosystem by facilitating collaboration between startups, venture capitals fund, accelerators, startup-friendly enterprises and the government”

2 Estonia lights up for Christmas

Tallinn’s traditional Christmas market will open on November 22 this year and close at the end of December. Christmas villages will also take place in Tartu, Pärnu, and Narva this year.

Visit Estonia says the traditional wooden stalls, decorated tree, and merry-go-rounds will all return. – Learn More

Tallinn Town Hall Square Christmas Market.
Tallinn Town Hall Square Christmas Market. Source: Jelena Rudi
“One of the highlights of the year for myself, and my family are attending the various European Christmas markets. Growing up in New Zealand, where temperatures are often in the high 20s, a Christmas card was as close as we got to the magical feeling of sipping mulled wine, while looking at wooden handicrafts in the snow. I would highly recommend timing your next trip to Europe in winter to mix things up a little.. and enjoy a Christmas market Crawl!”
– Aaron Banks, Baltic Capital Partners | CEO

3 CYBERSECURITY: Lithuania ranked 2nd globally for cyber threat prevention

In a general study of the digital quality of life, this year Lithuania was evaluated with an index of 0,7 and took thirteenth place in the world, surpassing much larger European countries – the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway.

This year, Lithuania also left behind the United States of America, Japan and the leader of Oceania, New Zealand.

Learn more at MadeinVilnius

Lithuania is in second place in the world in terms of cyber security
Lithuania is in second place in the world in terms of cyber security
“Lithuania’s rapid development of cyber security, and digital literacy, in the fields of infrastructure, helps to attract technology talents, especially to the “Vilnius TechFusion” ecosystem.”

4 In less savoury news: Dubai does it again!

A young Briton, 18, is facing a 20-year jail sentence in Dubai over a holiday “romance” with fellow 17-year-old London girl.

We’d say it’s the ultimate family vacation turned nightmare when your randy kid gets caught.. in Dubai!

There is a long, and growing list of weird arrests in Dubai. Just Google it and you’ll understand why so many people are choosing laws they understand.

Our clients often ask us to give an opinion on whether it is better to structure their tax affairs in one of the Arab states, often, Dubai, or whether it’s better in the European Union. The perception is that the European Union has higher tax rates. The reality is, however, several member states within the European Union have a lower tax rate than you would expect.

Lithuania being one of them, which currently posts a 10% flat rate for companies and a 20% flat fate for personal.*

We have found, without a doubt, though, that the first world benefits of law and protection, for our investors and their families, far out weigh, the ultimate three or 4% net tax they may need to pay on income if structured correctly within the EU.

Learn more on The Independent.co.uk

The 18-year-old met the girl on holiday in Dubai
The 18-year-old met the girl on holiday in Dubai (PA Archive)
“Our clients often consider Dubai as a place to structure their tax, or settle their family. More often than not though now, they turn to the EU. Having access to 27 countries for the price of one is amazing, the rules are clear, and not enforced by an autocratic leader with a fancy sandbox.”
– Aaron Banks, Baltic Capital Partners | CEO

5 Why We think Golden Visa’s are a Scam! – on a Governmental Scale

Spain is rapidly removing their Golden Visa Program, and Portugal already has, while Greece is trying to pick up the slack, and the cash, it seems that these governments have learnt comes at a significant national cost (but more on that in a later Post).

A recent article by the Guardian in the UK titled “Why we bought a golden visa in Greece”, on the surface seems to support Greece in their efforts to entice buyers.

The article focuses on a man, and his husband, who have chosen to get a Golden Visa in Greece, for all the right reasons, at perhaps the wrong time. It’s a good read, for what it is, and a handy reference for clients thinking Golden Visa versus our Gateway to Europe Residency.

Why We think Golden Visa’s are Scam! - on a Governmental Scale
British interest generally centres on the Ionian islands such as Corfu and Crete Credit: Rainer Hackenberg/The Image Bank RF
“People want to claw back their EU status and pay lower tax, get freedom of movement, to have a Plan B”
– Stuart Wakeling, As quoted in the Guardian article

Telegraph Golden Visa Highlights

– Golden Visa’s are great.. if you’re loaded

– You only need €400-€800k to buy a house in one of Europes most corrupt property market To get one and..

– You pay €10k-€40k for the visa itself from an agency, then simply wait 4-6 months (after the purchase of the property) for it to be granted. With conditions. Cont..

What’s great about the Guardian article though, and many, more like it around the EU recently is that it highlights the real challenges, and costs facing anyone wanting the good life in Europe.

Perhaps this is why we’re seeing a massive spike in Inquiry for the BCP Gateway to Europe Program which still requires no capital investment (no house, land or business to buy), is a residency, not a visa (massive difference) and is usually issued for us in 4 weeks, not 4 months.

Read More

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