Buy a Shelf Company in North Macedonia: How It Works

Foreign entrepreneurs interested in setting up their business operations through a Macedonian entity may choose to buy a shelf company in Macedonia instead of forming a new company. A shelf company is a firm that has been incorporated, but has not yet carried on any substantial business operation and can thus be transferred to another owner.

Quick Facts
Legal entities available for shelf company	Limited liability company (DOO)
Time required for purchasing the company	A few days
Types of features it includes (corporate bank account, VAT number, etc)	– tax number, – bank account, – legal address, – trading name
The advantages of a shelf company	– fast purchase & ownership transfer, – no debts, – varied activities, – easy access to bank loans
Appointing new directors	Yes
Capital increase allowed	Yes
Certificate of no commercial activities	No
Modify the objects of activity	Yes
Participants in the purchase procedure	Buyer (or representative) & seller
The cost of buying a shelf company	Depending on age of shelf company
Who can buy shelf companies?	Local and foreign individuals. Our specialists in company formation in Macedonia can help in both cases.
Documents needed to buy shelf companies	– ID documents of the buyer, – buyers’ signatures, – statutory documents of the shelf company, – details about the new company, etc.
Associated risks with purchase (YES/NO)	No, shelf companies have no debts or liabilities.
Physical presence required (YES/NO)	No, you do not have to be physically present in Macedonia to purchase an aged company. Our company incorporation agents can handle this for you remotely.
Virtual office available (YES/NO)	YES
VAT registration	Some shelf companies might require VAT registration. Our specialists in company formation in Macedonia can help you with the registration.
Can hire employees (YES/NO)	YES
Corporate income rate	– 10% (standard), – 1% (simplified if annual income falls between MKD 3 million and MKD 6 million, with some exceptions)
Common industries for shelf companies	– restaurants and hospitality, – IT, – financial, – e-commerce, – advertising agencies, etc.
Shelf companies with specific licenses	For specific industries such as: healthcare, hospitality, transport, construction, etc.
Shelf company vs. newly opened company	Opening a new company in Macedonia requires more time and effort; Business activities and history start from the date of registration for new companies; Costs might be higher with opening a new company.
Process of purchasing vintage company	– select shelf company, – prepare documents, – sign the agreement, – make amendments to the company’s statutory documents, – notify the relevant government authorities
Additional services	Once you start a company in Macedonia, we can also assist with tax registration, opening bank accounts, legal consultancy, trademark registration, etc.
Assistance (YES/NO)	YES, we provide full assistance when opening a shelf company, including remotely.

How can you help with buying a shelf company in North Macedonia?

Our team can help investors wishing to create a business presence in North Macedonia using a ready-made company. In case of investors opting for buying a shelf company in Macedonia, our team can help with:

identifying a suitable ready-made company;
evaluating the information regarding the company;
arranging the documentation for the transfer of ownership;
performing necessary administrative processes;
helping foreign investors to understand the documents needed for the process.

Who can purchase shelf companies in North Macedonia?

Both local and foreign business persons are allowed to acquire shelf companies in Macedonia, as long as they respect the rules of the ownership transfer and the preparation of documents. We can handle the entire procedure of purchasing ready-made companies in Macedonia, therefore, please feel free to address to our company incorporation specialists in Macedonia.

Find more information on the characheristics of shelf companies in Macedonia from this infopgrahic:

What documents are necessary to purchase a shelf company in Macedonia in 2026?

It all depends on the transaction structure and the participants. In the case of foreign founders, identification papers and corporation papers may be required.

The documents that are used for incorporation of a Macedonian limited liability company are:

a valid passport or another identification paper;
address proof for foreign founders;
corporation papers if a shareholder is a legal entity;
details about company activity;
information about the director;
information about company address.

Can shelf companies be purchased by foreigners in Macedonia?

Yes, foreign individuals or legal entities may own and run companies in North Macedonia, according to the relevant law and the relevant limitations per industry. Invest North Macedonia, the country’s investment promotion agency, states that the foreign investor has the right to create and manage companies, and both domestic and foreign investors are treated equally.

Are there any risks linked to a shelf company purchase?

No, there are no risks to think of when deciding on buying a shelf company in North Macedonia because such a company has no debts or liabilities, it is only registered and kept until someone decides to purchase it.

How fast can I buy a shelf company in Macedonia?

The ownership transfer of a shelf company in Macedonia is made within a few days, as soon as you opt for the services with our team of consultants in Macedonia. It is good to know that there is no need for you to travel to Macedonia to buy a ready-made company. The only thing for you to do is to get in touch with us and send us notarized copies of your identification documents.

How much does the purchase of a shelf company in Macedonia cost?

The cost of purchasing a shelf company in Macedonia is directly related to the company and depends on the process of its acquisition and adaptation for a new owner. Besides the price of the company, investors can expect the following costs:

Opening the bank account – EUR 300;
Direct investment registration for non-resident founders – EUR 500;
Lease agreement procedure – EUR 500;
Certified translation service – about EUR 15 per page;
Administrative costs – about EUR 300;
Lease deposit – about EUR 900-1,500.

What are the advantages of ready-made companies in Macedonia?

There are many reasons why foreigners decide on a ready-made company purchase instead of creating a new one from zero. The following benefits usually stand at the base of shelf company acquisition in Macedonia:

these companies do not have debts or liabilities and are ready to be used;
there is no need to wait for incorporation, as this type of company is already registered;
the financial institutions can easily offer credit loans for shelf companies in Macedonia, as they are trustworthy on the market;
this type of firm may have a notable business address in Macedonia and a registered bank account;
a ready-made company in Macedonia has an accounting history for at least two years;
the ownership transfer can be issued in approximately one or two days.

We can help you buy a shelf companyin Macedonia and take advantage of these benefits.

FAQ about shelf companies in Macedonia

Is a shelf company in Macedonia trustworthy?

Yes, you do not need to consider any risks at all because a shelf company has no debts involved, and that because it has no activity. Nevertheless, you may request a company due diligence for further verifications, in order for you to be sure about the company purchase.

Why should I purchase a shelf company in Macedonia?

If you are the type of investor who doesn’t want to wait for all the registration formalities of a company, you may direct your attention to a ready-made company which is already incorporated. This kind of company can be ready for business as soon as you receive the document showing the ownership.

If you are interested in more details about how you can buy a shelf company in Macedonia or if you want to register a company in Macedonia, we invite you to contact our team of advisors at any time.