Founding company - do we need a license?

[fnord]

Hi,
I am working on an affiliate website with two friends. We all live in germany and as far as I know it's not legal to found an affiliate business there.

So we thought the most easy way is to found a Limited in England.
Is it that easy? Or do we need some kind of license (casino, affiliate license)?

There are also some websites which advertise founding a company on the isle of man so you don't have to pay taxes. Is that legal?

Kind Regards
Sebastian

[gooderpoker]

I dont know much about this topic but i thought German affiliates can not take German players legally, but that was a year ago, may have changed or it is not enforced.

[fnord]

I heard from different people that we need a special affiliate license (in the EU) which together with the founding of the company would cost ~5-10k$.
But I doubt that all the affiliates out there have done this. But I don't want to get in big trouble later. So I want to know for sure if it would be legal to just found a company in england or somewhere else in the EU without special licenses.

[Mr-AJ]

Generally, you should not listen to any rumors. License as an affiliate is crap! The only thing you need in Germany (or countries where affiliate marketing isn't perfectly legal) is anonymity and to find a way to create revenue from sources that are not related to gambling.
And if you're looking for a EU license 5 - 10k is a good amount at least per month.
Just founding a Ltd. somewhere else isn't the a good solution. It takes way more than that. If you have German CEOs you have the same problem (and some more...)

[rakebackengine]

If we want to make a company and run everything above board in the EU, I suggest an Estonian company. Great tax rates and no problems at all.

Send me a pm for more info

Tim

[pomp]

Check out Companies House and you will no doubt find out all you need to know