The objective of this paper is to show the impact of regulation upon the start up of new
businesses in the European Union. The study uses some of the components of the Ease
doing business index elaborated by the World Bank. The methods used are the correlation
analysis and ordinary least squares for an unbalanced data panel with 26 cross-sections
(European Union member states) and time periods from 2005 to 2012. The regression
equation is composed of one dependent variable, represented by the New Business
Registration Density per 1000 people and 18 independent variables gathered from
components of Ease of Doing Index. The results of this research show that the influence of
regulatory factors is very strong. This paper is addressed to entrepreneurs, managers of
public institution, specialists and all interested readers.