Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

German residency routes:

• Blue Card - high-skilled employees
• Freiberufler / Selbständig - freelancer / self-employed
• Employer-sponsored work permits
• Entrepreneur visa
• Family reunification

Permanent residence typically after 5 years (faster on Blue Card).

Polish residency routes:

• Blue Card - high-skilled employees
• Temporary residence via employment
• Self-employment / entrepreneur routes
• Family reunification
• EU citizen-derivative routes

Permanent residence typically after 5 years.

Croatian residency routes:

• Employment-based residence
• Digital Nomad Residence Permit - remote workers
• Business / self-employment
• Family reunification
• EU citizen-derivative routes

Hong Kong residency routes:

• General Employment Policy (GEP)
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
• Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
• Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) - recently revived
• Dependant routes

GmbH and UG (haftungsbeschränkt) are common structures. Notary involvement is required for formation. Tax registration, trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung), and German GAAP / tax accounting standards apply.

Sp. z o.o. (limited liability) is the standard private entity. Online formation via S24 is possible; otherwise notary registration. Tax registration, VAT, and ZUS (social contributions) follow. CIT and the new estonian-style lump-sum CIT regime may apply.

d.o.o. (limited liability) is the standard structure; jednostavno d.o.o. is a simplified low-capital variant. Formation involves notary and court registration. Tax and VAT registration follow.

Hong Kong Limited companies are widely used for trading and holding structures. Annual filings, audited accounts, and a company secretary are required. Substance expectations and BEPS-driven changes affect ongoing planning.

Personal banking for residents is well established; certain non-resident structures take longer. SCHUFA history is relevant for residents. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Personal and corporate banking for residents is widely accessible. Non-resident structures take longer; documentation must be tight. Bordercase coordinates introductions where useful.

Resident banking is broadly accessible; corporate banking depends on activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Local banking has tightened materially; some non-resident structures face long onboarding or rejection. EMIs and Singapore / Dubai banking are common alternatives. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

Family reunification is well supported. Schools (public, private, bilingual, and international) are widely available; international schools are concentrated in major cities.

Family reunification is supported on most residency routes. International schools (English, German, French) are concentrated in Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław.

Family reunification is supported. International schools are available in Zagreb and along the coast.

Family relocation is supported on most residency routes. Schools (local, private, ESF, international) are competitive; international school waitlists are real.

Risks Bordercase watches for in Germany:

• Tax residency triggers (183 days + centre of interests)
• Late VAT registration on cross-border services
• Language and bureaucratic friction in some Länder
• Freiberufler vs Gewerbe classification disputes

Risks Bordercase watches for in Poland:

• Long visa processing in some voivodeships
• CIT and ZUS planning often gets done late
• Centre-of-interests analysis for tax residency
• Estonian-style lump-sum CIT regime eligibility

Risks Bordercase watches for in Croatia:

• Tax residency triggers
• Processing variations
• Digital nomad permit renewal rules and re-entry constraints

Risks Bordercase watches for in Hong Kong:

• Company-only setups without substance face banking and audit friction
• Banking has tightened materially
• Political / policy shifts must be factored into long-horizon planning
• Annual audit and filing discipline is real

Typical German residency documents:

• Passport
• Recognised qualifications (where required)
• Contract or business plan
• Accommodation evidence (Anmeldung)
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to German.

Typical Polish residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of address
• Employment contract or business plan
• Health insurance
• Marriage / birth certificates for family

Apostilled and translated to Polish.

Typical Croatian residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of accommodation
• Health insurance
• Employment / income evidence
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to Croatian.

Typical Hong Kong documents:

• Passport
• CV
• Education certificates
• Employment history
• Company documents (where applicable)
• Family certificates with notarisation