How to write your business activity description for the permit, the bank and the articles
Published on 10 October 2026 · Updated on 10 October 2026
In short
A business activity description for your permit states what you sell, to whom, where and how. In Luxembourg it is used three times: the Ministry of the Economy infers the permit required, the bank understands the account flows, and the lawyer drafts the corporate purpose of the articles. The three versions must stay consistent.
Downloadable template
Word format, to fill in. Preparatory document, not an official form or legal deed.
One activity, three readers
| What they look for | What to give them | |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of the Economy | Link the activity to a permit: trade, craft, liberal profession or specific activity | The actual services and products, the place of business and the manager’s qualification |
| Bank | Understand the business model and the risks of the account | Target customers, countries, suppliers, amounts and expected payment methods |
| Lawyer drafting the articles | Draft an accurate corporate purpose, neither too narrow nor unrelated to the activity | The main activity, related activities and planned developments |
How to fill in the activity sheet
- 1
Main activity in one sentence
One verb, one object, one customer: "installing electrical systems for individuals and businesses".
The manager - 2
Services and products
A concrete list of what you sell, with the estimated share of each activity in turnover.
The manager - 3
Customers and markets
Individuals or businesses, Luxembourg or abroad, countries involved.
The manager - 4
Operations
Place of business, premises, planned employees, main suppliers, payment methods.
The manager - 5
Qualification
The manager’s diplomas and experience related to the activity, where the permit requires them.
The manager
Mistakes that cost time
- Description too vague: "consulting and miscellaneous services" does not allow you to choose the permit or reassure the bank.
- Forgotten activity: a secondary activity carried on without the matching permit exposes you to a refusal or to regularisation.
- Inconsistency between documents: a corporate purpose, a permit application and a website describing three different activities alert the bank.
- Regulated activity not flagged: some activities require a specific licence, notably financial ones supervised by the CSSF, rather than a simple business permit.
A preparatory document
The activity sheet is not an official form. The permit application is filed on MyGuichet.lu using the Ministry of the Economy form, the bank uses its own questionnaire and the corporate purpose is drafted by the lawyer. The sheet gathers your answers so that all three are aligned.
Going further
To find out which permit matches your activity, use the which business permit do I need tool, then read the page on the business permit in Luxembourg. For the articles of association, the guide to drafting the corporate purpose sets out good practice.
Next step
Have your business activity description checked
We qualify your activity, check the permit required and align the application, the bank file and the corporate purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the business activity description so important?
Because it determines the business permit to apply for, the qualification requirements for the manager and the way the bank assesses the account. An imprecise description leads to requests for further information, or even a permit that does not cover the whole activity actually carried on.
Can the corporate purpose be broader than the actual activity?
Yes, the corporate purpose often covers related activities and planned developments. But it must remain consistent with the main activity, and every activity actually carried on must be covered by the matching business permit. A very general purpose unrelated to the project raises questions from the bank.
What does the bank ask about the activity?
Banks want to understand the business model: target customers, countries involved, suppliers, expected amounts and payment methods. These elements let them assess the risk of the account under their due diligence obligations. Precise, quantified answers make it easier to open the account.
Do I need to reapply if the activity changes?
A new activity may require an additional permit or an amendment to the existing one, and sometimes an amendment to the corporate purpose by decision of the partners. Check before starting the new activity, not after, so that you do not operate without a permit.