Employer of Record
Hire Anywhere in the World — Without Setting Up a Legal Entity
An Employer of Record lets you hire international employees or contractors quickly and compliantly — without incorporating in a new country. I help you find the right EOR for your situation.
What Is an Employer of Record?
A PEO co-employs your domestic workforce. An EOR goes a step further — it becomes the legal employer of your international hires. That means the EOR handles payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance in the local country, while your team member does the actual work for you.
EORs are the right solution when you want to hire in a country where you don’t have a registered legal entity — and you don’t want to wait 3–6 months (and spend $15,000+) to set one up.
EOR vs PEO — Quick Distinction
A PEO requires you to have a U.S. legal entity and co-employs your domestic workforce. An EOR acts as the legal employer in a foreign country — no entity required. If you’re hiring internationally, EOR is usually the right starting point.
When Does an EOR Make Sense?
🌍
You want to hire internationally
You’ve found a great candidate abroad but don’t have a legal entity in their country. An EOR gets them on payroll compliantly — often within days.
⚡
You need to move fast
Setting up a foreign entity takes months. An EOR can get your new hire compliant and paid in a fraction of the time — no incorporation required.
🧪
You’re testing a new market
Not ready to commit to a permanent entity? An EOR lets you pilot a market, hire locally, and keep your options open before making a larger investment.
How I Help With EOR
EOR providers vary significantly — in geographic coverage, pricing models, local compliance depth, and quality of in-country HR support. I help you cut through the noise, identify the right provider for your specific countries and headcount, and negotiate terms on your behalf.
I’ve worked with businesses hiring in the UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, India, and dozens of other countries. If you’re not sure whether EOR is the right structure for your situation — or how it compares to setting up a local entity — that’s exactly the kind of question I can help you think through.
Hiring internationally?
Let’s talk through your situation — where you’re hiring, what compliance looks like, and which EOR would be the best fit. Free, no pressure, no obligation.
Employer of Record FAQs
What is an Employer of Record (EOR)?
An Employer of Record (EOR) is a company that legally employs workers on your behalf in a country or state where you do not have your own legal entity. The EOR handles local payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance while you direct the employee’s day-to-day work. It lets you hire talent anywhere without setting up a foreign subsidiary.
How is an EOR different from a PEO?
A PEO co-employs staff in a place where you already have a legal entity, sharing employer responsibilities under your tax ID. An EOR becomes the full legal employer in a place where you have no entity at all. In short: use a PEO to support employees where you are already established, and an EOR to hire where you are not.
What does an EOR cost?
EOR pricing is usually a flat monthly fee per employee or a percentage of gross salary, commonly $300 to $600 per employee per month, though it varies by provider and country. ForwardPEO can get you real quotes for the specific countries you are hiring in.
How fast can I hire someone through an EOR?
In most established countries an EOR can onboard a new hire in a few days to two weeks, far faster than the months it can take to incorporate a local entity. ForwardPEO helps you pick a provider with strong coverage in your target countries so onboarding is quick and compliant.
Is using an EOR compliant and legal?
Yes. A reputable EOR is the registered legal employer and assumes responsibility for local labor law, tax withholding, and statutory benefits, which reduces your compliance risk. The key is choosing an EOR with a genuine legal presence in each country rather than a reseller. ForwardPEO vets provider coverage so you are compliant everywhere you hire.