Luxembourg is a small but wealthy country located in Western Europe. It has a population of around 525,000 and is renowned as an international financial center with a stable economy and AAA credit rating. Luxembourg has developed into a major hub for investment funds and private banking due to its business-friendly environment, extensive tax treaty network, and flexibility in structuring investment vehicles. It offers a prime location for multinational corporations and investors to base their business operations.

1. João Verdades dos Santos
International corporate lawyer
“Barreau de Luxembourg” (List IV) &
“Ordem dos Advogados” Portugal

2. Luxembourg

3. Luxembourg in a nutshell
Population: 525,000
Size: 30 miles wide by 40 miles long;
Borders with Belgium, France and Germany;
Second richest country in the world (for IMF);
Languages: French, German, Luxembourgish;
English is widely used in Business.
Luxembourg ranked 1st for Personal Safety in
Mercer s Quality of Life Survey.

4. Luxembourg in a nutshell
Renowned international financial centre (proactive business government, always
encouraging foreign investments);
Economically stable: low national debt (below
20% of GDP vs max 60% imposed by EU);
AAA credit rating in all rating agencies: solid
political and economical environment;
Credibility of Luxembourg Banking system.

5. Why Luxembourg?
Founding member of OECD and the EU;
Stable governments – coalition culture;
Business and entrepreneurial environment;
Global Financial Centre:
• more funds in Luxembourg than any other
country apart from USA
• 142 banks from 26 countries;

6. Why Luxembourg?
The biggest wealth management centre in the
Eurozone area;
Main European and International Private
Equity hub;
Offers tax efficient investment vehicles;
Developed IT and technology infrastructures;
Logistics and global distribution platforms;
Alternative location for maritime business.

7. Why Luxembourg?
Pragmatic business approach from tax
authorities facilitating cross border investments
(holding, financing, real estate, etc.) and added
value functions (IP management, distribution,
entrepreneurial, etc.);
Tax clearance mechanism available to secure
tax treatment;
Well known stability and predictability of
Luxembourg tax framework.

8. Why Luxembourg?
Extensive international tax treaty network (to
date 67 treaties in force with recent focus to
negotiate treaties with Asian, Middle Eastern
and Latam countries);
Luxembourg maintains competitive strategic
trade and investment relationships outside EU:
USA, Canada, Brazil, China, Middle East);
Luxembourg is also active in cooperation for
development (microfinance).

9. Luxembourg Double Tax Treaties Network

10. International Tax Perspective

11. Luxembourg Companies
Commercial Companies:
• Private limited company (S.à r.l)
• Public Limited company (S.A.)
• Limited Partnership by shares (S.C.A)
• Limited Partnership (S.C.S)
• General Partnership (S.N.C);
Limited Partnership and General Partnerships
although tax transparent have legal personality.

12. Investment Structures
SOPARFI – Holding company;
SPF – Family wealth company – tax exempt
entity for management of family owned assets;
SIF – Specialized investment fund – tax
exempt and lightly regulated used for
alternative investments and diversified assets;
SICAR – Tax advantaged vehicle for the
management of equity in venture capital or
private equity.

13. Investments - UCITS Funds
Undertakings for Collective Investment in
Transferable Securities (EU Directive 85/611/CE
of 20 December);
Luxembourg was the first country to
implement the UCITS Directive;
The Grand Duchy played an important role in
the creation of an European market for retail
investment funds,

14. Investments - UCITS Funds
Large number of promoters from Switzerland
and USA selected selected Luxembourg as a
gateway to the European market;
The strong regulation of UCITS and high level
of investor protection have made them popular
with supervisory authorities and retail investors
all over the world.

15. Investments - UCITS Funds
Luxembourg is a leading investment fund
centre in Europe and second one in the world
behind the United States;
Luxembourg UCITS have a large market share
in Asian and Latin American countries
Flexibility in fund design, allowing products to
be tailored to the needs of each specific market
or client group;

16. Our Idea is to
Offer tailor made legal, corporate and tax
efficient solutions to individuals (HNWI,
Entrepreneurs), corporations, law firms,
consultants, financial institutions and banks.
Target Portuguese speaking countries and
expat communities (including Luxembourg)
Promote Luxembourg as a gateway to cross
border investments.

17. Conclusion
Luxembourg is a well know mature
international regulated and flexible financial
centre;
Global hub for the fund industry;
Booming IT, Ecommerce and Start-up
Environment;
Prime location to setup your business.

18. Thank you !!

19. Contacts
João Verdades dos Santos
Avocat/Advogado
14A, rue des Bains
L-1212 Luxembourg
gsm: (+352) 661822047 - office: (+352) 27858688
fax: (+352) 462181
skype: dr_verdades_dos_santos
www.linkedin.com/in/jmvsantos
joao.verdadesdossantos@barreau.lu
vs@drvs.lu