How to check a business in Kosovo

Before paying an advance, signing a contract or accepting a job offer, it is worth spending five minutes checking who the business on the other side really is. In Kosovo most basic data is public, thanks to the ARBK registry.

Where to find the data#

• ARBK (arbk.rks-gov.net): the official source; you can search businesses and obtain official extracts.
• Kerko: built on ARBK's public data, with fast search by name, owner, municipality or activity. Search for a business and open its profile.

For legal purposes (court, tenders, banks) always use ARBK's official document. For a quick check, the Kerko profile is enough.

The checklist#

1. Does the business exist, and is it active?#

Look at the status. A business with status "Registered" is active in the registry. If it shows "Deregistered", "Dissolved" or "Canceled by the system", the business no longer legally exists, so don't sign contracts with it. What each status means is explained in Business statuses and closing a business.

2. Do the name and NUI match?#

Compare the NUI and fiscal number on the invoice or contract with those in the registry. A mismatch is a red flag. It may be a mistake, but it could also be fraud. Check the trade name too: businesses are often known by a different name from their official one.

3. Legal form: who is liable?#

If the partner is an Individual Business, the owner is personally liable. If it is an LLC, liability is limited to the company, which matters if something goes wrong. See Business legal forms in Kosovo.

4. Who are the owners?#

The profile shows the owners and their percentages. Do they match the people you are dealing with? Is an owner another company? If so, who is behind it?

5. Who can sign the contract?#

Only the registered authorised persons can legally represent the business. If someone who is not listed as authorised signs the contract, ask for a written authorisation. Look at the appointment date too. A recent change of director may be perfectly normal, but it is worth knowing.

6. How long has it existed?#

The registration date shows the business's age. A business registered two weeks ago asking for a large advance on a large order deserves extra care.

7. Does the activity fit?#

Check the activities (NACE codes). If a business registered for retail trade offers you construction services, ask why, and if the activity requires a licence, ask to see it.

8. Is it VAT-registered?#

If it charges you VAT, it must have a VAT number. A VAT invoice from a business that is not VAT-registered is a problem for you when you want to deduct it. More in NUI, fiscal number and VAT.

9. Address and contacts#

Does the address exist? Does it match what you were given? Verified businesses on Kerko have contact details confirmed by the owner themselves, marked with the verified badge.

Red flags#

• NUI or name that does not match the registry;
• any status other than "Registered";
• a signatory not listed as an authorised person;
• a very new business asking for full payment up front;
• a request to pay into a personal account or another business's account.

For business owners#

If you own a business, your customers are doing exactly this check. Verify your business on Kerko so your profile shows the right contacts, hours and description, with the verified-business badge.