Germany Company Formation
Europe’s largest market and strongest brand of trust. We register your GmbH in Germany, open the bank and tax files, and advise on the residence route for you and your family.
Germany at a glance
- Entity: GmbH, or UG (haftungsbeschränkt) for a low-capital start
- Minimum capital: GmbH €25,000 (€12,500 paid in at formation); UG from €1
- Formation time: 2–6 weeks including notary and bank account
- Corporate tax: About 30% all-in (15% corporate tax plus solidarity surcharge and local trade tax)
- Remote formation: Partly. The notary appointment can be done by video for some cases, otherwise with a power of attorney
Germany Company Formation Facts
Figures on this page are indicative and change often. Government fees, taxes and timelines are confirmed in your written quote after a free consultation. Company formation does not by itself grant residence or citizenship; where a residence route exists we say so and explain its conditions.
Europe’s largest market and strongest brand of trust
- A German GmbH signals credibility to clients and banks worldwide
- Access to the EU’s largest economy and skilled labour pool
- Self-employment residence route with a 3-year path to settlement
- UG lets you start with €1 and convert to a GmbH later
Who It Suits
Scale-ups, exporters and engineering firms that need a German legal presence, and founders with a solid business plan who want German residence.
Living in Germany Through Your Company
Residence route: hardSelf-employment residence permit under Section 21 of the Residence Act, or the Chancenkarte; settlement permit possible after 3 years of successful business.
| Funds required (approx.) | Our residence service fee | Family can join | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessed case by case | $16,000 | Yes | Hard |
Residence fees are quoted separately from company formation. Government fees, deposits, translations and insurance are not included.
Documents to Prepare
- Passport copies of shareholders and managing directors
- Proof of address
- Notarised articles of association (we draft and arrange the notary)
- German business address (we provide)
- Business plan and financing proof for the residence permit
How We Register Your Company in Germany
- Consultation
We confirm Germany fits your goal and send a written quote.
- Documents
Passport copies, proof of address and powers of attorney.
- Filing
Partner lawyers reserve the name and file with the Commercial Register.
- Tax and Bank
Tax numbers issued and bank or payment account opened.
- Residence
Optional: we file the residence application for you and your family.
Germany Company Formation Questions
GmbH or UG?
Choose UG if you want to start with little capital; it must retain 25% of annual profit until it reaches €25,000 and can then convert. Choose GmbH if clients, banks or tenders expect it.
How long does the bank account take?
German banks are strict. Allow 2–4 weeks; we work with fintech and traditional banks that accept non-resident founders.
What does the residence permit require?
An economic interest or regional need for your business, a viable business plan, secured financing, and health insurance.
Other Countries Clients Consider
Portugal
The EU’s friendliest entry point for founders.
Read More
Netherlands
The gateway to Europe for trade and holding structures.
Read More
Croatia
Schengen, euro and 10% tax for small companies.
Read More
Lithuania
Baltic fintech hub with fast online registration.
Read MorePhotos via Wikimedia Commons. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0; Belém Tower, Lisbon: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 4.0; Amsterdam canal houses: Nan Palmero from San Antonio, TX, USA, CC BY 2.0; Dubrovnik Old Town: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0; Gediminas Tower, Vilnius: Gytis Grižas https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16452479, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Register Your Company in Germany
Send us your activity and ownership plan and we reply with a written quote, timeline and document list.