European Union: Venture Capital

The European Union has evolved its Capital Markets Union into a more ambitious Savings and Investments Union, aiming to unlock €11 trillion in household savings while addressing a critical mismatch between abundant European savings and insufficient productive investment.

Value-Added Tax (VAT) is a key component of Portugal’s tax system. This article outlines the different VAT rates, the rules for the taxation of goods and services, and special considerations for certain types of supplies.

As its European customer base continued to expand, a US-based distributor of industrial equipment found that its existing business model was no longer suited to its long-term growth ambitions.

For Golden Visa and other residency permit holders in Portugal, protecting long-term residency rights is now becoming the primary strategic objective.

The European Commission's EU Inc proposal promises to revolutionize startup formation with 48-hour digital company registration across Europe. But could this streamlined framework inadvertently erode Ireland's competitive advantage in attracting founders, and what role will Ireland's 2026 EU Council Presidency play in shaping the final outcome?

Castrén & Snellman's Private Equity and Venture Capital team has prepared Series Seed 4.0, a comprehensive update to Finland's standard seed financing documentation suite. The new version introduces significant structural improvements including a three-tier leaver classification system, enhanced liability frameworks, and sanctions compliance provisions that align Finnish venture capital practice with international standards.

On 19 December 2025, the CSSF published the Circular CSSF 25/901 (the "Circular"), which relates to the assets, investment limits, risk capital, techniques, borrowing, and transparency requirements in relation to SIFs, SICARs and Part II UCIs.

Mr Mario Rossi is an Italian entrepreneur who has invested in several companies across Europe in different sectors. He owns 70% of a German manufacturing company, 60% of a Czech software company, and 80% of a Spanish distribution company.

In Portugal, the rules for a company to deduct Value-Added Tax (VAT) on vehicle acquisitions are quite specific, mainly depending on the type of vehicle and its use. Understanding these regulations is crucial for businesses aiming to optimise their tax position.