Question 1

Can I use American contract templates in Europe?

Accepted Answer

Generally not recommended. American contracts may not be valid under European law and lack mandatory protections. For example, US employment contracts ignore notice period requirements, severance entitlements, and other European statutory rights.

Question 2

What should a co-founder agreement include?

Accepted Answer

A solid co-founder agreement should include: equity split with vesting (typically 4 years with 1-year cliff), IP assignment, roles and responsibilities, decision-making process, and exit terms for different scenarios.

Question 3

When should I update my contracts?

Accepted Answer

Update your contracts when: expanding to new countries, hiring your first employees, receiving investment, changing your business model, or when relevant regulatory changes occur (e.g. GDPR, EU AI Act).

Question 4

What's the difference between a contractor and an employee?

Accepted Answer

In Europe, misclassification is a significant risk. Employees have statutory rights (holidays, unemployment benefits, dismissal protection). Contractors have more flexibility but fewer protections. Use the 'economic control' test — if they work exclusively for you on fixed hours, they're likely employees.

Contracts for European companies

Contract types

Founder agreements

Employment contracts

NDAs

Commercial contracts

Privacy policies

Service agreements

Frequently asked questions

The right contracts from day one.