India Hiring Guide for European Companies

Why European Businesses are Expanding to India

European companies are leveraging India's vast talent pool, cost advantages, and growing market opportunities to scale their operations.

Access to Skilled Talent

India produces 1.5 million engineers annually, providing European businesses with skilled professionals at 40-60% lower costs than Western Europe.

73% of European tech firms cite access to India's specialized talent as their primary expansion driver.

Strategic Time Zone Advantage

The 3.5-5.5 hour time difference between Europe and India creates an effective workday overlap, enabling real-time collaboration while extending operating hours.

62% of European companies report increased productivity with India teams extending their workday.

EU-India Economic Partnership

The EU is India's 3rd largest trading partner, with strong bilateral agreements facilitating smoother business operations for European companies in India.

€88 billion in annual trade between EU and India creates a robust foundation for business expansion.

Legal Options to Hire in India from the UK

European companies have several compliant pathways to establish their presence and hire talent in India.

Employer of Record (EOR)

Ideal for European companies looking to hire in India quickly without establishing a legal entity.

Timeline: 7-14 days to hire your first employee

Best For: Testing the market, hiring small teams

We Handle: Employment contracts, payroll, compliance, benefits

Case Study: We helped a German fintech hire 5 engineers in India within 10 days without entity setup.

Explore EOR Services

Entity Incorporation

Establish your own legal entity in India for complete control over operations and long-term presence.

Timeline: 4-6 weeks for full incorporation

Best For: Long-term operations, large teams, IP protection

We Handle: Registration, licenses, bank accounts, ongoing compliance

Case Study: Helped a French SaaS company establish a fully compliant Indian subsidiary in 5 weeks.

Explore Incorporation Services

Book a 15-min Call with Our India Market Entry Experts

India EOR vs Company Incorporation – What's Right for Your US Business?

Payroll & Tax Compliance in India

Navigate India's complex payroll and tax requirements with expert guidance tailored for European businesses.

European-Indian Tax Treaties

Most European countries have Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) with India, providing significant tax benefits when structured correctly.

Reduced withholding tax rates on dividends and royalties

Tax credits for taxes paid in India

Protection against tax discrimination

Payroll Compliance

India has specific payroll requirements that European companies must navigate carefully.

Monthly TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) filings

PF (Provident Fund) contributions

ESI (Employee State Insurance) compliance

Professional Tax in applicable states

Common European Pain Points

European companies often face specific challenges when managing Indian payroll and taxes.

Complex transfer pricing documentation requirements

Navigating GST for cross-border services

Meeting statutory bonus requirements

Currency conversion and repatriation concerns

Download European-India Tax Guide

How SetMyCompany Helps European Clients Enter India

Our comprehensive solutions address the unique needs of European businesses expanding to India.

Multilingual Support

Our team includes specialists fluent in German, French, Italian, and other European languages to ensure smooth communication..

GDPR Compliance

We understand European data protection requirements and ensure all operations comply with both GDPR and Indian data protection laws.

Country-Specific Documentation

We guide you through required apostilles, certified translations, and other country-specific document requirements.

Tax Treaty Optimization

Our tax experts ensure you benefit from all provisions in your country's Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with India.

Trusted by European Businesses

"SetMyCompany helped our German headquarters hire 5 engineers in India — with contracts, payroll, and compliance handled in just 10 days. Their understanding of both European and Indian requirements was invaluable."

Michael Weber

CTO at TechSolutions GmbH

Ready to Expand to India?

Schedule your complimentary 15-minute consultation with our India market entry specialists. We'll analyze your specific business requirements and provide a tailored entry strategy.

Understand the most cost-effective way to hire in India

Get a custom incorporation timeline and cost analysis

Learn how to leverage European-Indian tax treaties

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India Hiring Checklist

Download our comprehensive guide with European-specific insights

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