Ist das COMI dasselbe wie mein gemeldeter Wohnsitz?

Nein. Die Meldeadresse ist ein Indiz, aber nicht entscheidend. Maßgeblich ist, wo Ihr Leben tatsächlich und für Dritte erkennbar stattfindet — belegt durch Wohnung, Konto, Arbeit und Alltagsverträge.

Kann ich mein COMI gezielt nach Irland verlegen?

Ja, die Freizügigkeit erlaubt jedem Unionsbürger, Wohnsitz und Lebensmittelpunkt frei zu wählen. Entscheidend ist, dass die Verlegung echt gelebt und dokumentiert ist — eine reine Adresse genügt nicht.

Was passiert, wenn das COMI angezweifelt wird?

Dann prüft das Gericht die tatsächlichen Umstände. Mit sauberer Dokumentation lässt sich die Zuständigkeit belegen; ohne Nachweise droht die Ablehnung oder später die Nichtanerkennung.

Knowledge · EU insolvency

COMI explained simply: Why your center of life determines your legal procedure.

The focal point of the main interests is the foundation of every EU insolvency — and the point at which dubious offers fail.

Anyone dealing with personal bankruptcy in Ireland will immediately encounter three letters: COMI — "Centre of Main Interests". It determines which EU court has jurisdiction over your bankruptcy proceedings (Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2015/848). And it's the point at which dubious offers fail.

What the COMI really is

The COMI is not a form or an address. It is the place where you actually manage your interests in a way that is recognizable to third parties—that is, where your life demonstrably takes place. For private individuals, the regulation presumes habitual residence to be the COMI; this presumption is rebuttable if the facts contradict it.

How a court measures COMI

A person's place of residence becomes reliable through the sum of everyday, verifiable circumstances: an apartment with a lease in their own name, a bank account with actual local transactions, registration with social security, employment or a structured employment pattern, everyday contracts such as mobile phone, electricity, and insurance – and simply put: lived everyday life. No single element is sufficient on its own; the overall picture is what matters.

The most common mistake: The logic of a mailbox. An address without a lived, everyday existence is not a COMI (Commitment of Inclusion). If this is discovered during the proceedings or upon later recognition, the entire outcome is called into question—which is precisely why we begin every review with the evidence, not with the desired date.

How long before the application?

As a guideline: The applicant's primary residence should actually be established at the time of application—in practice, this typically means that it is built up over several months; in our case, we use a guideline of around six months. More important than any deadline, however, is the quality of the documentation: A well-documented six months is worth more than a full year with gaps.

Why the documentary is decisive

Creditors can challenge the jurisdiction. Then what matters is what you can present: contracts, bank statements, proof of employment and daily life. Those who document everything from the outset negotiate from a position of strength—those who improvise risk losing the case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the COMI the same as my registered address?

No. Your registered address is an indicator, but not decisive. What matters is where your life actually takes place and is recognizable to third parties – evidenced by your residence, bank account, employment, and everyday contracts.

Can I specifically relocate my COMI to Ireland?

Yes, freedom of movement allows every EU citizen to freely choose their place of residence and center of life. The crucial point is that the relocation is genuinely lived and documented – a mere address is not enough.

What happens if the COMI is questioned?

The court then examines the actual circumstances. Jurisdiction can be established with thorough documentation; without evidence, the case risks rejection or later non-recognition.

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Note: This article provides general information only and does not replace legal advice in individual cases. Whether a particular course of action is suitable for you can only be determined through an individual assessment.