Do you need a domiciliation or a real office in Luxembourg?
Published on 10 October 2026 · Updated on 10 October 2026
In short
Registered office vs physical office in Luxembourg: a domiciliation provides a registered office address with a regulated professional and is enough for a company that needs no premises, such as some holding companies. Once the activity requires a business permit, a fixed establishment with real premises is in principle needed: a dedicated office.
Registered office vs physical office: the comparison
| Domiciliation | Dedicated office | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Registered office address, mail reception, related services | Premises where the activity is actually carried on |
| Who provides it | Regulated professional: bank or PFS, lawyer, statutory auditor, regulated accounting professional | Landlord, business centre, shared workspace |
| Contract | Written domiciliation agreement, mandatory | Lease or occupancy agreement |
| Business permit | In principle not enough | Meets the fixed establishment requirement |
| Typical profile | Holding company, SOPARFI, SPF, holding vehicle | Retail, crafts, consulting, any operating activity |
| Substance | Low | Real, useful for the bank and for tax residence |
| In our offers | Introduction only, domiciliary agent’s fees separate | Introduction only, rent separate |
The rules to know
- Under the law of 31 May 1999, domiciliation is reserved for regulated professions established in Luxembourg.
- A business centre that does not fall within them cannot domicile a company; it can, however, rent it an office.
- The domiciliary agent verifies the real identity of the managers and keeps the records for five years after the end of the relationship.
- The end of the domiciliation agreement must be filed with the RCS.
What we do, and what we do not do
Business Registration is not a domiciliary agent and does not rent offices. We introduce you to a partner lawyer acting as domiciliary agent or to dedicated office solutions. These costs are never included in our prices: they are invoiced directly by the domiciliary agent or the landlord.
Why the business permit requires premises
The business permit assumes a fixed establishment in Luxembourg where the activity is actually carried on: a mere letterbox is not enough. Guichet.lu says as much about domiciliation: to constitute a stable establishment, a company must occupy its own real premises. A domiciliation therefore suits companies whose activity does not require premises.
An office in a shared space can work, provided there is a lease or a contract that identifies the space occupied. We check this point before filing the application. See also the business permit and company domiciliation.
Next step
Registered office or office: let us review it
Describe your activity: we tell you whether a domiciliation is enough and introduce you to the right contact.
Frequently asked questions
Is a domiciliation enough to obtain the business permit?
In principle, no. The business permit assumes a fixed establishment where the activity is actually carried on, not a mere address. A domiciliation suits companies that need no premises, such as some holding companies. For a commercial, craft or consulting activity, plan for an office.
Who can domicile a company in Luxembourg?
The law of 31 May 1999 reserves domiciliation for regulated professionals established in Luxembourg: credit institutions and other professionals of the financial or insurance sector, lawyers, statutory auditors and regulated accounting professionals. Other providers cannot enter into a domiciliation agreement.
Can a coworking space be enough?
As an office, yes, if a contract identifies the space provided and allows the activity to be actually carried on there. As a domiciliation, no, unless the operator belongs to a profession authorised by law. The classification depends on the contract and the actual use of the premises.
How much does a domiciliation cost?
The price is set freely by each domiciliary agent according to the services included: address, mail, secretarial support. Business Registration never includes it in its offers: we introduce you to a partner lawyer acting as domiciliary agent, who sends you their own fee proposal and contract directly.