Tax and Accounting Advice for
European Businesses Operating in the UK

Cross-border tax and advisory work across
the European Union, the wider continent and the UK

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Europe remains the closest and largest market for most UK businesses and the home of substantial inbound investment into the UK.

The exit from the EU has changed the framework around movement of goods, services, capital and people but the commercial flow continues.

The tax and regulatory work that supports European cross-border activity has grown more complex since Brexit and the cost of getting it wrong – in VAT registrations missed, customs positions misunderstood or permanent establishments created unintentionally – has grown with it.

Our specialist team supports UK businesses operating in continental Europe, European businesses operating in the UK and individuals with cross-border positions between the UK and a European country.

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Related services

How we work on European cross-border matters

Each engagement begins with a clear understanding of where the activity is taking place and what is happening in each jurisdiction. From that, we agree which countries need local input and engage PrimeGlobal member firms in those jurisdictions where appropriate.

The UK-side work is led from our team and the overseas input is co-ordinated through us. The client deals with one lead partner who pulls the position together and presents it as a single joined-up output.

Our European cross-border services

  • UK entry for European businesses
  • UK businesses expanding into Europe
  • European VAT registration and compliance
  • Customs and import duty advisory post-Brexit
  • Corporate tax structuring across Europe
  • Transfer pricing across European entities
  • Permanent establishment analysis
  • Cross-border personal tax for individuals moving between Europe and the UK
  • Co-ordination through PrimeGlobal member firms in European jurisdictions

Through PrimeGlobal we work with member firms across the major European jurisdictions. The relationships are with named partners we have worked with before so the overseas input arrives quickly and to a known standard.

What you can expect from our European team

Three principles run through how we approach European cross-border work:

Joined up support

Each European jurisdiction is considered on its own terms, so the local detail is not lost in the headline view, before being combined into a wider picture to ensure the right level of support is provided across the business.

One trusted adviser across multiple jurisdictions

Our team co-ordinates with overseas advisers and presents the advice in single form, so that you can make better decisions.

Technical expertise, combined with local knowledge

Our membership of PrimeGlobal means we are able to provide advice built on our own technical expertise, but with the local knowledge provided by our fellow member firms.

European clients work with us because they want their UK and European position guided by one trusted firm – one that co-ordinates the local advice, holds the picture together and delivers a single joined-up output rather than a set of separate national opinions they then have to piece together themselves.

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Here is what our clients have to say… testimonial icon


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Macalvins have been running the Payroll and Pension Plan for Hayes & Yeading United Football Club for over 10 years.… Read More

Bernard Bitmead

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I love the people of macalvins. they are warm and very dependable. and that what matters to me in any… Read More

SUJOY GHOSH

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I have been MaCalvins for the past 6 years and I have found them excellent in every department. They manage… Read More

John Gill

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I’ve been with MaCalvins since 2013, they are managing my company business accounts and my personal tax returns in a… Read More

Taghreed Altuhafi

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Excellent service and understanding of our business needs

Kanesh Rajani

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Thank you Macalvins for excellent service over the years

S Hodzic

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I have been with Macalvins for the past 3 years and have found them to be polite, courteous and professional… Read More

Nilip Vithlani

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I’ve been with Macalvins for 9 years, and they’ve always done a good job on My Accounts.

Nick Breakell

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We have used Macalvins for all our accounting needs including audits and payrol since the beginning of time – nothing… Read More

Tracey Jannaway

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I appointed Macalvins when I first started my business in 2013 and have found their expertise to be invaluable. Initially,… Read More

Angela Taylor

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Why choose Macalvins?

Macalvins is a Top 100 UK accountancy firm and a member of PrimeGlobal, a network of around 300 independent firms across more than 80 countries.

We have years of experience supporting European businesses and UK businesses looking to break into new markets on the continent.

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Frequently Asked Questions faq

We are a UK business selling into Europe. What VAT do we need to think about?

Since Brexit, sales of goods to EU customers are treated as exports from the UK and the VAT position in the destination country depends on the type of sale, the customer and the value. Services to EU customers follow the place-of-supply rules. Most UK businesses selling into Europe at scale end up with VAT registrations in one or more EU member states. We work through which registrations are actually required and put the compliance in place.

How do you handle the local advice in European countries?

Through PrimeGlobal we engage a member firm in each jurisdiction where local input is needed. The relationships are with people we have worked with before. We brief the local team, co-ordinate the input and bring the position together at our end so the client receives one joined-up advice rather than separate opinions from different firms.

Can you support European businesses setting up in the UK?

Yes. UK entry work for European businesses is a substantial part of what we do. The work covers entity choice, tax and payroll registrations, banking, transfer pricing and the ongoing compliance through the first year. Our inbound services page covers the detail of how UK entry works.

Mr. Jackson
@mrjackson
Mr. Jackson
@mrjackson