Company formation in Germany with all the necessary registrations you need
You Want To Set Up A Company In Germany
But Do Not Know How To Start?
To start a German company as a foreigner can be difficult because of German bureaucracy, banks which are not willing to open an account, and numerous regulations that must be complied with.
Over the past years, we have guided over a thousand entrepreneurs from over 50 countries and six continents in establishing and running a successful German company.
- We…
- Coordinate your company registration from A to Z (you do not have to travel to Germany)
- Support you in opening a business bank account
- Support your application for EORI number (required for import/export activity)
- Coordinate the application for your tax number and VAT number through a German tax advisor
- And we stay by your side even after foundation.
We will be your personal success manager for the entire process, and glad to assist you at any time.
Company Formation from A to Z
Setting up a company in Germany is complex, but with our local support it becomes simple and legally secure. All you have to do is sign anywhere in the world and we’ll do the rest for you.
Premium All-In-One Services for your German company
In 4 Steps To Your Company In Germany
Preparation and Notary Appointment
With us, the preparation of your company registration in Germany usually takes less than 1 working day. However, the scheduling of a notary appointment can be delayed, depending on the availability of notaries and the city you would like to sign.
It is up to you whether you decide to be present at the notarisation or whether you prefer to sign the documents abroad. The decision has no influence on our fee.
Bank Account Opening
After the notary appointment, you must open a new business account for your GmbH or UG in formation. We support you competently and quickly in opening an account with our partner banks. With an online bank, it usually takes just one day, whereas with traditional banks, where you need to book an appointment, it can take weeks.
Commercial and Business Registration
After paying in the share capital, there is a period of waiting for the entry in the commercial register. During this time you are not yet allowed to start any business activity with the company. If you would rather get started immediately after the notary appointment, you can also purchase a shelf company.
Application for Tax, VAT & EORI numbers
Once all registrations have been made, it is possibly to apply for your company’s tax number, EU VAT number and EORI number.
* The times are based on experience, which varies from city to city and from foundation to foundation. We recommend that you calculate about 1-3 months for the entire process.
Need a faster solution? Check our imadietely available ready-made companies here.
Do you already know what kind of company you would like to register in Germany?
GmbH formation
The establishment of a German GmbH company requires a minimum share capital of 25,000 EUR, of which at least half, that is, 12,500 EUR, must be paid into the company’s bank account after the business is set up. The costs for the notary, the commercial register and the trade licensing office amount to approximately 730 EUR in 2026 with one shareholder-managing director.
A German GmbH (limited liability company) is an internationally recognised and renowned business form that demonstrates confidence to its business partners.
UG formation
Establishing a UG company (or Mini-GmbH) can be a good alternative to setting up a GmbH if the owners avail of less than 12,500 EUR, or if they would like to try out their idea with less financial risk at first.
A UG is also a limited liability company type. Its biggest benefit is the lower share capital of 1 EUR symbolic. The costs for the notary, the commercial register and the trade licensing office amount to approximately 530 EUR in 2026 with one shareholder-managing director.
Not sure?
If you are not sure regarding the company form, try our free company type configurator with which you can find the ideal legal type for your business in Germany.
GmbH-UG.com Is The Right
Choice For You If…
- You want to establish a company in Germany and to have success with them
- You do not want to take care about paper work and burocracy
- You are looking for an around solution, which includes everything you will need to start your company in Germany
- You would like to have a consulting company with headquarters and network in Germany at your side
- You want a package price, without hidden fees
- You are looking for a strong partner who still holds the old “German values”, such as punctuality and fairness
+1 point for GmbH-UG.com: we donate 1% of our profits to charity every year.
Choose Your Formation Package And Start Online
| UG | GmbH | |
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| Preparation: we check your chosen company name with the local Chamber of Commerce (IHK) and formulate your company purpose from the desired activities |
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| Notarisation: All shareholders and managing directors can sign anywhere in the world - even at different locations. We prepare and arrange the notary appointment for you |
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| Bilingual Certificate of Incorporation (German and English) |
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| Support with opening a business bank account |
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| We will notify you as soon as the entry in the commercial register has been made and you will receive a copy of the extract from the commercial register |
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| Entry in the transparency register and business registration (Gewerbeanmeldung) |
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| Application for tax number and VAT number (via German tax advisor) |
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| Application for EORI number (optional, for free) |
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| Bookkeeping & Accounting from 49 EUR / month |
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| Personal Client Success Manager, who you can reach by phone or e-mail at any time from Mon to Fri |
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| You can use your desired company address or choose a virtual office in one of our 13 locations |
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from 1,800 EUR
+19% VAT |
from 2,200 EUR
+19% VAT |
What does company formation in Germany cost in 2026?
| UG formation fees | GmbH formation fees | |
| Our formation package | from 1,800 EUR + 19% VAT | from 2,200 EUR + 19% VAT |
| Notary fees (set by law) | from 180 EUR extra | from 380 EUR extra |
| Commercial register fee (set by law) | 300 EUR extra | 300 EUR extra |
| Trade registration fee | 15–60 EUR extra, depending on the city | 15–60 EUR extra, depending on the city |
| Share capital (stays in the company) | from 1 EUR; we recommend at least 500 EUR | 25,000 EUR, of which at least 12,500 EUR paid in |
| Apostille and translation (only if the shareholder is a company or signs abroad) | depends on the country | depends on the country |
| Virtual office (optional) | from 185 EUR a month | from 185 EUR a month |
| Bookkeeping (optional) | from 49 EUR a month | from 49 EUR a month |
The share capital is not a fee: it stays in the company’s bank account and can be used for business expenses once the company is registered. The official fees are set by law and are explained in our article on company registration fees in Germany. After the formation, every GmbH and UG has running costs, which we list in costs of maintaining a company in Germany.
Company formation for founders outside the EU
Most of our clients live outside Germany, many outside the EU. German law does not require the shareholders or the managing director of a GmbH or UG to be German or to live in Germany. What changes for non-EU founders is the paperwork and, in some cases, residence:
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Signing: you sign before a notary in your own country with a power of attorney, which is then apostilled (or legalised) and translated. You do not need to travel to Germany.
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Company as shareholder: a recent register extract from your home country with an apostille and a certified German translation.
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Bank account: some banks identify the managing director in person or by video; we know which of our partner banks accept which nationalities.
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Residence: you only need a German residence permit if you move to Germany or work here yourself. Owning and managing the company from abroad does not require one.
Country guides: United Kingdom · USA (LLC as shareholder) · for foreign companies choosing between a branch and a subsidiary: foreign company registration in Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Germany, the companies with capital, – such as the GmbH and the UG – are obliged to pay corporate tax (in German: Körperschaftssteuer) and local business tax (in German: Gewerbesteuer). Both tax types are to be paid after the annual profit. The corporate income tax rate including ‘Solidaritätszuschlag’ at present is 15.825%, while the local business tax varies from town to town, it is usually between 7-18%. You can easily estimate your paible taxes with our free tax calculator tool.
The duration of the company registration depends on several factors, but it can be stated in general that the registration of a newly founded company and to receive its tax numbers takes a total of 1-3 months. If one needs an immediate solution, then the process can be shortened with the purchase of an entire company, so-called Vorratsgesellschaft or shelf company / ready-made company. These are such companies having performed no active business which have tax number and bank account number. The objective of their foundation is solely their later resale.
No, it is not necessary. The company formation in Germany can be done with our office without traveling. All shareholders and managing directors can therefore sign the required documents anywhere in the world.
If the owners of the company to be established are natural persons, then all you need is your valid personal ID or passport. If the owner of the German company will be another company, then its articles of association and an up-to-date copy of the register is required from that company in official German translation and with Apostille endorsement.
After ordering, we will send you an exact list with the required documents. It is not worth getting the documents in advance, because many of the certificates are only valid for a limited period of time.
To start your company formation in Germany, please choose a formation package here. Alternatively, you can request our price list here or book a meeting with a Formation expert.
Regardless of whether your German company performs active business or not, you are to fulfil certain obligations. You can learn more about this and the occurring permanent costs in our following blog article: The costs of maintaining a company in Germany in 2025.
If required, we will be glad to help you change, sell or dissolve the company. Please do not hesitate to contact us!
Start with a free initial consultation
We will help you find the right legal form and work with you to develop a concrete roadmap for your company formation. During the consultation, we will clarify:
- Which legal form makes the most sense for you,
- How long the formation process will take,
- What documents you will need to provide and
- What it will cost.
Get more insights about company formation in Germany
How to set up a company in Germany: the 2026 step-by-step checklist
Establishment, 7. August 2024Business Registration for GmbH and UG – Explained Step-by-Step
Establishment, 8. August 20244 Ways How To Register a Foreign Company In Germany
Establishment, 7. August 2024Company Registration Fees in Germany (2027)
Establishment, 7. August 2024
The information on this page was last checked and updated on 3 November 2026