The Global Expansion Report - A Benchmark of Cost, Risk, and Complexity Across 19 Markets
Global expansion is a major milestone for many companies - but it’s rarely as simple as it seems. To help founders make more informed decisions, Native Teams has released the Global Expansion Report, providing the first industry benchmark on the costs, risks, and complexities of expansion across 19 markets.
Quick takeaways
Global trends:
- Europe and North America remain the most popular first expansion markets.
- APAC, LATAM, and MENA are secondary, but are increasingly gaining attention.
Operational highlights:
- Some markets impose heavy administrative requirements for incorporation, while others are highly digitalised.
- Companies spend around €15,000 per market per year to set up and operate a local entity.
Strategic choices:
- Early-stage companies often rely on flexible models like EOR (Employer of Record) for market entry.
Growing companies eventually benefit from owning a local infrastructure for better traction and cost predictability.
“Our findings clearly reveal a tipping point in global expansion strategy. While flexible hiring models such as Employer of Record, contractor arrangements, and hybrid setups remain the most efficient pathway for early market entry, the economics shift once a company scales beyond a small team. When a business reaches roughly 4 to 10 employees per market, the annual cost of EOR begins to mirror, or even surpass, the investment required to establish and maintain a local entity. At this stage, owning infrastructure not only delivers stronger cost predictability but also greater control over compliance, payroll, and long-term operational growth.” - Jack Thorogood, Founder & CEO of Native Teams.
Access the full report
Curious to find out more? The full Global Expansion Report includes market-specific insights, cost benchmarks, complexity scores, and frameworks to guide your next global move.