Germany warmly welcomes foreign investors into its open market, roughly 22,000 foreign companies have been established with a workforce of about 2.7 million workers. A total of 7 million people from different nations live in Germany and it is seen as attractive because over 70% of the total workforce speaks very good English. For decades the Germany economy has been recognized as one of the strongest and highly developed economies in the world. With a total population of just under 83 million people, and a VAT of about 19%, Germany is a country that doesn’t seem to stop growing- it is never too late to incorporate.
A GmbH (Limited liability company) is the most common business form in Germany, this is because shareholders are not personally liable for the company’s debts. Furthermore, only one person is required to form a GmbH, however the shared capital must be at least €25,000. The articles of association shall be notarised and the company is entered in the publicly accessible Commercial Register. However, the GmbH has another advantage: it offers attractive tax advantages.
An UG (Unternehmergesellschaft) or Business Corporation is another popular form of business organization in Germany, it is made up of a management board that must pay corporate tax, they can own assets or property and can legally sue or be sued. When forming an UG it is important that the company name contains “Unternehmergesellschaft” or UG. Founding an UG is reasonably unbureaucratic and inexpensive because it can be grounded with a starting capital of only one Euro. A standard protocol is available that only requires the purpose of the company to be explained along with a list of the board members and shareholders.
Basis of legal system | Under Civil Law |
Governing corporate legislation | German companies are regulated under federal law. |
Stability | Very stable jurisdiction with an excellent reputation. |
Minimum directors/shareholders | Minimum of 1 director and 1 shareholder. |
Information published relating to company officers | Upon registration of the company, the names of company officers will appear on public record. |
Paid up capital requirement | Minimum share capital: €1 for UG, € 25.000 for GmbH. |
Accounting requirement | Accounts and tax filing must be submitted by year-end. |
Timespan incorporation | Germany requires a notary appointment. Company incorporation can be processed within a few weeks. |
Up to 3 individual shareholders included
Up to 1 individual director included
Name Check & Clearance
Standard Articles of Association (“Musterprotokoll”) in German language
1 € Share capital needed, up to 7000 € Share capital possible
Self-service support:
Attention:
Additional director
79 €
Any additional director, above the included 1 director
Additional shareholder
79 €
Any additional shareholder, above the included 3 shareholder
Corporate Shareholders
199 €
A shareholder that is itself a company from Germany, customized articles of association
299 €
Ein Gesellschafter, der selbst ein Unternehmen aus einem EU Land ist (inkl UK). Erstellen einer individuellen Satzung.
499 €
A shareholder that is itself a company from outside the EU and UK, customized articles of association
Notary Appointment & Notarization GMBH standard
699 €
We organize the notary appointment. Our lawyer will take part and guide you through the notary process. Consucutive translation from German to English.
Please be aware: all Notary fees are NOT included.
Commercial Register (“Handeslregister”) Registration
–
Performed by the notary during notary appointment
Additional Goverment fees will apply & are not included. Commercial Register Court will send you and additional invoice of approx. 155 €
Trade Office (“Gewerbeamt”) Registration
299 €
Filing required documents in German language
Forwarding of trade license
Including government fees
By law, companies are required to register with the local trade office (“Gewerbeamt”) when they start their business.
(You can do the trade office registration yourself, costs will be ca. 13,00-31,00 EUR)
TAX Setup (“Finanzamtsanmeldung”) & VAT application
German Shareholder
999 €
Preparation of the opening balance sheet
Non German Shareholder
1499 €
Examination of tax jurisdiction
Registration with the responsible tax office
Filing application for VAT-number with Federal Central Tax Office („Bundeszentralamt für Steuern“)
Consulting with an individual “Tax in a nutshell” document
Introduction to Accounting Partner
VAT Application
49 €
Filing application for VAT-number with Federal Central Tax Office („Bundeszentralamt für Steuern“)
Remote Incorporation
399 €
Official representation through Clevver’s incorporation lawyer at the German notary
Attention:
English Incorporation documents
99 €
Articles of Incorporation in English language
Managing director appointment in eglish language
Printed Documents
Incl.
Printed Certificate of Incorporation
Printed Memorandum and Articles of Association
Printed Commercial Register Registry
Printed trading supervision department registry
Shipment (with tracking)
Individual lawyer consultancy
149 €
Custom consultancy with our lawyer. 149 € per 30 minutes.
25.000 € share capital (12.500 € must be paid to bank account to start)
Up to 3 individual shareholders included
Up to 1 individual director included
Name Check & Clearance
Standard Articles of Association (“Musterprotokoll”) in German language
Self-service support:
Attention:
Additional director
79 €
Any additional director, above the included 1 director
Additional shareholder
79 €
Any additional shareholder, above the included 3 shareholder
Corporate Shareholder
199 €
A shareholder that is itself a company from Germany, customized articles of association
299 €
A shareholder that is itself a company from any EU country and UK, customized articles of association
499 €
A shareholder that is itself a company from outside the EU and UK, customized articles of association
Notary Appointment & Notarization GMBH standard
1199 €
We organize the notary appointment. Our lawyer will take part and guide you through the notary process. Consucutive translation from German to English.
Please be aware: all Notary fees are NOT included.
Commercial Register (“Handeslregister”) Registration
–
Performed by the notary during notary appointment
Additional Goverment fees will apply & are not included. Commercial Register Court will send you and additional invoice of approx. 155 €
Trade Office (“Gewerbeamt”) Registration
299 €
Filing required documents in German language
Forwarding of trade license
Including government fees
By law, companies are required to register with the local trade office (“Gewerbeamt”) when they start their business.
(You can do the trade office registration yourself, costs will be ca. 13,00-31,00 EUR)
TAX Setup (“Finanzamtsanmeldung”) & VAT application
German Shareholder
999 €
Preparation of the opening balance sheet
Non German Shareholder
1499 €
Examination of tax jurisdiction
Registration with the responsible tax office
Filing application for VAT-number with Federal Central Tax Office („Bundeszentralamt für Steuern“)
Consulting with an individual “Tax in a nutshell” document
Introduction to Accounting Partner
VAT Application
49 €
Filing application for VAT-number with Federal Central Tax Office („Bundeszentralamt für Steuern“)
Bank Introduction
Incl.
Introduction to a German bank to get a German bank account
Remote Incorporation
399 €
Official representation through Clevver’s incorporation lawyer at the German notary
Attention:
English Incorporation documents
99 €
Articles of Incorporation in English language
Managing director appointment in eglish language
Printed Documents
Incl.
Printed Certificate of Incorporation
Printed Memorandum and Articles of Association
Printed Commercial Register Registry
Printed traაცding supervision department registry
Shipment (with tracking)
Individual lawyer consultancy
149 €
Custom consultancy with our lawyer. 149 € per 30 minutes.