When you register a sole proprietorship (s.p.) or a company, you have to state a business address – and many people do not want that to be their home address, visible in the public register. Two solutions appear here: a virtual office and a coworking space. They sound similar, but they solve different problems. Let us see which one is right for you.
What is a virtual office?
A virtual office is a service where you rent a business address to register your company, and the provider receives your mail and notifies you about it. You do not get a physical workspace – you work from home or anywhere. To register the registered office you need a certified permission from the property owner, which the provider arranges as part of the package.
What does coworking offer?
Coworking is above all a real working environment: a desk, internet, a meeting room, coffee and a community. Many coworking spaces – including makerSP_CE – also let members register a business address and receive mail, so everything a virtual office offers, plus a physical space to work in.
Comparison: virtual office vs. coworking
| Criterion | Virtual office | Coworking |
|---|---|---|
| Business address for the register | Yes | Yes (depends on the provider) |
| Mail collection and notification | Yes | Yes |
| Workspace (desk, internet) | No | Yes |
| Meeting room for meetings | Occasionally, for a fee | Included or cheaper |
| Community and networking | No | Yes |
| Approximate monthly price | €20–50 | from €135 (makerSP_CE, all included) |
When is a virtual office enough?
- You work exclusively remotely or at clients' premises and do not need a desk.
- You only need an address that is not your home, and organised mail collection.
- You want to keep costs to a minimum in the first months of business.
When is coworking worth it?
- You cannot work with focus at home, or there simply is no space at home.
- You meet clients in person and need a presentable space with a meeting room.
- You want to separate work and home and work among people, not in isolation.
The maths: if you combined a virtual office (€30) with regularly working in cafés (€100+ a month for coffees and lunches) and occasionally renting a meeting room, you are already at the price of coworking – without its advantages.
A business address at makerSP_CE
At makerSP_CE members can arrange a business address at Pivovarniška ulica 6 in Ljubljana – a representative location next to Tivoli Park, a 10-minute walk from the centre. On top of that you get everything the membership offers: a desk, external screens, a meeting room, a call room, coffee and parking. For details about registering the office, write to us – we will arrange the procedure and documentation together.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register a sole proprietorship at my home address?
Yes, and many people do. But the address is publicly published in the Business Register (AJPES), which many find uncomfortable; if you are a tenant, you need the certified consent of the flat owner.
Do I need a special contract for a company office in a coworking space?
Yes, the provider issues you a permission to register the office (a certified statement from the owner or manager of the space), which you attach when registering at a SPOT point or via the SPOT portal.
What happens to mail that arrives at the business address?
The provider collects it and notifies you (usually by email), and can also scan it or keep it until collection. Check exactly what the package includes.
Conclusion
A virtual office solves the address, coworking solves the address and the work. If you only need registration, start with a virtual office; if you also need a space where you will actually work, coworking is the cheaper and better decision in the long run.
Book your spot at makerSP_CE
Coworking makerSP_CE, Pivovarniška ulica 6, Ljubljana (next to Tivoli Park). Flat price, no notice period, 24/7 access and free parking.
Web: makerspace.si | Email: rezervacije@makerspace.si | Phone: +386 30 393 405