US Company Formation from Greece, Cyprus and Malta (2026): Inc or LLC, US Treaties, Local Tax Rules, Costs and Banking
Forming a US company from Greece, Cyprus or Malta: Inc or LLC, how the US treaties work, local classification and residence rules, costs and banking.
Greece, Cyprus and Malta have growing communities of software developers, shipping and trading businesses, online gaming and fintech companies, and digital professionals, many of them serving US customers. Cyprus and Malta are also home to many international companies and founders who have moved there. A US company helps these businesses sell to American customers, raise from US investors and get paid in dollars, and it can be formed without travelling.
All three countries have income tax treaties with the USA, but they are of different ages and work differently: the US–Greece treaty is one of the oldest the USA has and does not reduce US withholding on dividends in the way modern treaties do. This guide covers Greece, Cyprus and Malta together and explains the points that differ.
Short answer: residents of Greece, Cyprus and Malta can own 100% of a US corporation or LLC, formed remotely, and a local company can own a US subsidiary. With UCB, a Delaware corporation with EIN is $308 all-in, and a Wyoming LLC with EIN is $249. The US treaties with Cyprus and Malta reduce US withholding on dividends and limit US tax on business profits to a US permanent establishment; the older US–Greece treaty does not set a reduced dividend rate, so a Greek resident's dividends from a US corporation generally face 30%. At home, each country classifies a US LLC under its own rules, a company managed locally can be taxed there, and EU CFC rules apply. Agree the structure with a local adviser first.
Can residents of Greece, Cyprus and Malta own a US company?
Yes. You can own 100% of a US LLC or corporation, be its only director or manager, and form it remotely with no US visa, SSN or US address. A registered agent in the US state is included for the first year in every UCB formation. See open a US company without visiting.
Why founders here form a US company
- US customers, who often prefer a US vendor paid by ACH. See receiving payments from US clients.
- US investors, who expect a Delaware C-Corporation. See raising US investment as a foreign founder.
- A US subsidiary for a Greek, Cypriot or Maltese company. See US subsidiary for a foreign company.
- Dollar revenue through a US bank account and payment platforms. See Stripe for non-residents.
Treaties and US tax
| Country | Treaty with the USA | US withholding on dividends from a US corporation to an individual |
|---|---|---|
| Greece | Yes (one of the oldest US treaties) | Generally 30%: the treaty sets no reduced dividend rate |
| Cyprus | Yes | Reduced treaty rate (generally 15%) with a valid W-8BEN |
| Malta | Yes | Reduced treaty rate (generally 15%) with a valid W-8BEN |
| US LLC (single-member) | US C-Corporation | |
|---|---|---|
| US federal tax if all work is done from home | Usually none | 21% of profits |
| US tax on profits paid to the owner | None (not a dividend) | Treaty rate, or 30% for Greece |
| Yearly federal filing | Form 5472 + pro forma 1120 | Form 1120 + Form 5472 |
| Investors | Most will not invest | Standard (Delaware) |
A single-member LLC run entirely from abroad usually owes no US federal income tax, but files Form 5472 every year, with a $25,000 penalty if missed. See Form 5472 explained, effectively connected income explained, W-8BEN-E vs W-8BEN explained and LLC vs Inc for non-residents.
The home side
Greece
Greece taxes residents on worldwide income and classifies foreign entities under Greek rules. A company whose effective management is in Greece can be Greek tax resident, and CFC rules apply to low-taxed controlled foreign entities. Because the US–Greece treaty does not reduce dividend withholding, the extra cost of taking profits out of a US corporation is higher than for most EU residents, which matters when choosing between a corporation and an LLC. Ask your Greek accountant how Greece would treat each.
Cyprus
Cyprus taxes resident individuals on worldwide income, but individuals who are resident but not domiciled in Cyprus are generally exempt from its special defence contribution on dividends and interest, which is why many founders have moved there. A Cypriot company is a common holding vehicle. Points to raise: how Cyprus classifies a US LLC, place of management of the US company, and CFC rules where a Cypriot company owns a low-taxed US entity.
Malta
Malta taxes individuals who are resident but not domiciled in Malta on Maltese income and on foreign income remitted to Malta, which is a different basis from most of Europe. Maltese companies operate a full imputation system with refunds to shareholders. Points to raise: how Malta treats a US LLC and its profits, whether income is remitted to Malta, place of management, and CFC rules for a Maltese company owning a US entity.
We handle the US side; your local adviser confirms the home side.
Which US state, and what it costs
Delaware for startups and subsidiaries; Wyoming or New Mexico for a simple company without investors. See Delaware, Wyoming and the state selector.
| With UCB | |
|---|---|
| Delaware corporation with EIN, all-in | $308 |
| Keeping a Delaware corporation active each year | $578 |
| Wyoming LLC with EIN, all-in | $249 |
| Wyoming LLC with EIN and US bank account application | $348 |
| Keeping a Wyoming LLC active plus the federal return | $421 |
Documents and banking
A passport or national ID card, proof of address, two or three company names, a business description and, for a corporation, the share structure; add your local company's register extract if it will own the US company. No SSN, ITIN or US address is needed. US banks review online gaming, crypto and payment businesses closely whatever the country; a clear description and consistent documents help. See US business bank accounts for non-residents and why banks reject non-resident applications.
Worked examples
These are illustrative examples, not client cases.
Example 1: the Athens software studio. A Greek studio serving US clients considers a Delaware corporation. Because dividends to a Greek resident would face 30% US withholding, their accountant compares it with a US LLC and with invoicing from Greece, and confirms the Greek treatment of each.
Example 2: the Limassol holding company. A Cypriot company owned by a founder who moved to Cyprus forms a Delaware subsidiary for US sales. Treaty rates apply to dividends paid to the Cypriot company, subject to the treaty's conditions.
Example 3: the Maltese gaming company. A Malta-based online gaming business wants a US entity. Online gaming is regulated state by state in the USA, so it takes US legal advice before any US activity; we form and maintain the company once the plan is clear.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the US–Greece treaty reduces dividend withholding as modern treaties do.
- Assuming a US LLC is transparent at home.
- Running a US company from home without considering local tax residence.
- Starting regulated activities, such as gaming or payments, in the USA without licensing advice.
- Ignoring Form 5472.
How UCB helps
We form US corporations and LLCs for residents of Greece, Cyprus and Malta remotely, all-in, keep them active and file the federal return through our US tax filing service, alongside your local adviser. See also the Italy and Central and Eastern Europe guides, and the country guide.
Expanding from Greece, Cyprus or Malta to the USA? WhatsApp us at +91 8105 199 399 or email enquiries@ucbsolutions.com, and we will recommend the right structure and state for you.
Let our experts handle it for you
Every business is different. Message us with your country, business type and goals, and we will recommend the right structure, state and package. We do the work; you focus on your business.
This article is general information for non-resident business owners and is not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change; contact us to confirm what applies to your situation.
