What is a business registry?
A business registry is an official government database that records information about legally registered companies within a jurisdiction. In the European Union, each member state maintains its own national business registry, sometimes called a commercial register, company register, or trade register depending on the country.
These registries serve multiple important functions within the European economic framework. They provide legal recognition to business entities, establish a company's right to operate commercially, and create a public record that anyone can access to verify basic company information. When a company registers, it receives a unique identification number that follows it throughout its existence.
The type of information stored in business registries varies somewhat between countries, but core details are consistent across the European Union. You can typically find the company's legal name, registered office address, date of incorporation, legal form, share capital, names of directors or managing partners, and the company's stated business activities. Many registries also record significant events such as changes in directorship, address changes, mergers, and eventual dissolution or liquidation.
Why business registries matter
Business registries exist to promote transparency and trust in commercial dealings. When you can verify that a company is genuinely registered, you reduce the risk of fraud and establish a foundation for legitimate business relationships. This transparency benefits everyone from individual consumers checking a tradesperson's credentials to multinational corporations conducting due diligence on potential partners.
For legal purposes, registration creates the company as a distinct legal entity separate from its owners. This has important implications for liability, taxation, and the company's ability to enter into contracts. Without registration, a business typically cannot open corporate bank accounts, sign official contracts as a legal entity, or enjoy the protections that come with limited liability status.
The European context
While business registries remain national in scope, the European Union has worked to improve cross-border access and interoperability. The Business Registers Interconnection System, known as BRIS, connects the commercial registers of EU member states and allows searches across multiple countries through a single interface. This represents a significant step toward making company information more accessible throughout the single market.
Additionally, European directives require member states to make certain company information publicly available in electronic format. This means that regardless of which EU country you need to research, you should be able to access basic registry information online, though the specific interface and available languages vary by country.
Types of information available
When you search a European business registry, you can typically access several categories of information. The exact availability depends on the country and the type of company, but the following are generally accessible.
Basic identification data includes the company's official registered name, any trade names or business names it operates under, and its unique registration number. This number is essential for official dealings and should always be verified when entering into significant business arrangements.
Structural information covers the company's legal form, such as whether it is a limited liability company, public limited company, partnership, or sole proprietorship. You can also typically find the registered share capital, information about shareholders in some jurisdictions, and details about any parent companies or subsidiaries.
Management details usually include the names and sometimes addresses of directors, managing partners, or other authorised representatives. The extent of personal information available varies by country due to differing privacy regulations and national laws.
Historical records may include previous addresses, former company names, past directors, and significant corporate events. Some registries maintain extensive historical archives, while others focus primarily on current information.
How to search EU business registries
The process for searching a business registry depends on which country's registry you need to access. However, the general approach follows a consistent pattern across all EU member states.
First, determine which country's registry is relevant. A company is registered in the country where its legal headquarters are located, which may differ from where it primarily operates. If you know the company's registration number, the country prefix often indicates the jurisdiction.
Next, access the appropriate national registry portal. Our guides section provides direct links to official registry websites for all EU member states. These are government-operated portals, and access to basic search functions is typically free.
Enter your search criteria using the registry's search interface. You can usually search by company name, registration number, or sometimes by director name. For best results, use the exact spelling of the company name as minor variations may not return matches.
Review the results carefully. If multiple companies appear, verify you have the correct one by checking additional details such as address or registration date. Once you have located the correct company, you can typically view a summary of its registry information.
Frequently asked questions
Is business registry information public?
Yes, basic business registry information is public in all EU member states. European directives require that certain company information be made available to anyone who requests it. This includes the company's name, registration number, registered address, legal form, and details of directors or legal representatives. Some additional information may require payment or specific justification to access.
Can I search registries in other languages?
Most national registries operate primarily in the official language of that country. However, many now offer English interfaces or at least English instructions for basic searches. The European Business Registers portal provides a unified interface with multilingual support for cross-border searches.
How current is registry information?
Registry information is generally current as of the last filing by the company. EU directives require companies to notify registries of certain changes within specified timeframes, but there may be delays between when a change occurs and when it appears in the public record. For time-sensitive verifications, consider requesting the most recent extract directly from the registry.
What if I cannot find a company in the registry?
If you cannot locate a company, first verify you are searching the correct country's registry. Check for spelling variations or alternative company names. If the company claims to be registered but does not appear in official records, this is a significant warning sign that warrants further investigation before entering into any business relationship.
Do I need to pay to search business registries?
Basic searches are typically free across EU member states. However, obtaining official extracts, certified documents, or detailed historical records usually requires payment. Fees vary significantly between countries and document types. Our guides section includes information about typical costs for each registry.
What is the difference between registration number and VAT number?
A registration number identifies a company within the national business registry and is assigned when the company is incorporated. A VAT number is a separate identifier for tax purposes, assigned when a company registers for value-added tax. While related, these are distinct numbers used for different purposes. Some countries incorporate the registration number into the VAT number, but this is not universal.
Can I verify a company's financial status through the registry?
Business registries typically do not provide detailed financial information. However, many registries record whether a company has filed required annual accounts and may indicate if the company is in insolvency proceedings or liquidation. For detailed financial analysis, you would need to obtain filed accounts separately or use commercial credit reference services.
How do I verify that a website is an official registry?
Official business registries are operated by government agencies and use official government domain extensions. Be cautious of commercial websites that mimic registry interfaces but charge fees for information that is freely available from official sources. Our guides link only to official government portals to help you avoid unofficial intermediaries.