Naming a company in Luxembourg: the rules
Published on 10 October 2026 · Updated on 10 October 2026
In short
The company name rules in Luxembourg require a name distinct from any other entered in the RCS, written in Latin letters and numerals, and followed by the legal form. Adding “SARL” or “SA” is not enough to tell two names apart. The RCS does not reserve names and does not check trademarks.
Definition
The company name is the official name of the company, set in the articles and entered in the trade and companies register. It differs from the trade name, under which an establishment is known to the public.
The LBR rules in brief
- Characters
- Latin letters, Roman or European numerals
- Prior use
- Checked by the RCS against company names
- Reservation
- Not possible
- Names per company
- One only, translations possible
What tells two names apart, and what does not
| Difference | Enough to distinguish? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Legal form added | No | “Taxis SARL” and “Taxis SA” are identical |
| Accents, capitals, spaces, punctuation | No | “Café-Lux” and “cafe lux” are identical |
| Word order reversed | Yes | “Taxis Europe” and “Europe Taxis” are distinct |
| Similar pronunciation | The RCS compares the written form | Only the written form is examined |
Examples taken or adapted from the principles published by Luxembourg Business Registers.
Choosing and checking a name
- 1
List two or three names
Plan variants: a name refused at the last moment delays the deed.
You - 2
Request a certificate from the RCS
On the LBR website, with an account or a LuxTrust certificate. The certificate must be downloaded within 20 days; it is chargeable.
You or us - 3
Check trademarks and domain names
The RCS check covers neither trademarks nor unfair competition: a trademark search is useful before investing in an identity.
You, with an intellectual property adviser if needed - 4
Enter the name in the articles
The final name, followed by the legal form, appears in the deed of incorporation.
Partner lawyer, notary - 5
Register quickly
The “available” certificate reserves nothing: the first to register a name gets it.
Notary or us, with the LBR
Reserved terms and misleading names
The acronym “SE” is reserved for European companies. Terms that suggest a regulated activity, such as bank, insurance or fund, may be reserved for entities authorised for that activity under sector legislation: we check them case by case before filing. A name identical or very close to a protected trademark exposes the company to action by the trademark owner, even if the RCS accepted it.
The legal form mention and company documents
The name appears on the company’s deeds, invoices, letters and websites with its legal form, in full or abbreviated, its registered office and its RCS number. For a SARL-S, Guichet.lu specifies that the name is followed by the mention “SARL-S”.
A sole trader operating under a trade name must add their own surname and first names to it. To check a name in practice, see checking name availability; to change the name later, change the company name.
Next step
Have your name checked
We check availability at the RCS and the points of caution before the articles are drafted.
Frequently asked questions
Can you reserve a company name in Luxembourg?
No. The certificate issued by the RCS only says whether the name is free at the time of the request. It does not reserve the name: it goes to the first company that registers it.
Can the name be in English?
Yes. The LBR rules concern the alphabet and numerals used, not the language. A company has only one name, but translations and an abbreviation may be entered.
Can you use symbols such as @ or &?
Yes, if the symbol has a meaning in spoken language, such as @, &, € or $. Symbols, accents and punctuation marks are not enough, however, to distinguish a name from an existing one.
Does the RCS check trademarks?
No. The RCS prior-use check covers only the names entered in the register. It does not prejudge trademark rights or unfair competition rules, which must be checked separately.
Can a name freed by a struck-off company be reused?
Yes, a struck-off company frees its name. A company whose bankruptcy is closed but which is not yet struck off keeps it, according to the principles published by the LBR.