With the (supranational) company form created by the EEIG regulation of 25 July 1985, small and medium-sized enterprises from EU member states should have the opportunity to engage in cross-border cooperation in the form of a European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG).
The purpose of an EEIG is to facilitate or develop the economic activities of its members by pooling resources, activities or experience. The EEIG must have its seat within the Community.
The purpose of the association is not to make a profit for itself. Rather, it must be divided among its members and taxed. The EEIG’s activities must be related to the economic activities of its members and must be ancillary to those activities.
An EEIG may be formed by companies and other bodies governed by public or private law under the national law of a Member State. It may be formed by natural persons carrying on an industrial, commercial, craft, agricultural or professional activity in the Community or providing other services there.
An EEIG must have at least two members from different Member States but may not employ more than 500 persons.
The contract for the formation of an EEIG must include the name, registered office, objects and, where appropriate, the name, number and place of registration of each member of the grouping and the duration of the grouping, unless it is unlimited. This contract must be entered in the register designated for that purpose by each Member State. Registration confers on the EEIG full legal capacity throughout the Community.
NOTE: Whenever an EEIG is formed or dissolved, the details must be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.