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Company formation · Germany

Form a German GmbH or UG – online with a notary

The GmbH is Germany's standard limited company; the UG (haftungsbeschränkt) is its low-capital variant. Both require a notarial deed, which since 2022 can also be executed online by video.

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Key facts

Legal forms
GmbH · UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
Minimum share capital
GmbH €25,000 (at least €12,500 paid in before registration) · UG from €1 (paid in full, cash only)
Notarial deed
Required – by a German notary, also online by video (eligible eID needed) or via a notarised power of attorney
Register
Commercial register (Handelsregister) at the local court; transparency register
Registered office
Business address in Germany required
Foreign founders and directors
Allowed
Typical duration
1–4 weeks depending on the register court

Information reviewed: October 13, 2026

What you need

  • Valid passports or ID cards of all shareholders and managing directors (for the online procedure: an eID-enabled ID card or, for non-EU nationals, an electronic residence permit)
  • Business address in Germany
  • Business purpose and share structure
  • Business bank account for paying in the share capital
  • Information on the beneficial owners

Every formation is quoted individually – you receive a written quote before anything is charged.

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Which legal form fits?

GmbH

Limited liability company with €25,000 share capital – the most trusted form for business partners and banks in Germany.

UG (haftungsbeschränkt)

Same liability protection from €1 capital, paid in full in cash; 25% of each year's profit must go into a reserve until the share capital is raised to €25,000 – the company then becomes a GmbH.

Branch of a foreign company

Your existing company registers a German branch (Zweigniederlassung) in the commercial register.

How the formation works

  1. 1

    Plan and articles

    We agree the shareholders, managing directors and share capital and prepare the articles – model protocol or individual articles.

  2. 2

    Notarial deed

    The founders sign before a German notary – in person, online by video through the Federal Chamber of Notaries' system, or through a representative holding a notarised power of attorney.

  3. 3

    Capital and register

    The share capital is paid into a business account; the notary files the application with the commercial register.

  4. 4

    Trade and tax registration

    We take care of the trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung) and the tax registration so that you receive your tax and VAT numbers.

After registration

  • Tax number from the tax office and VAT ID from the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt)
  • Automatic membership of the Chamber of Commerce (IHK); craft businesses belong to the Chamber of Crafts (HWK)
  • Bookkeeping and annual accounts published in the company register
  • Transparency register kept up to date

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Shareholders and managing directors do not need to live in Germany or hold an EU passport. The company needs a business address in Germany, and opening the bank account is usually the step that needs the most preparation.

Yes. Since August 2022 a GmbH or UG can be formed by video with a German notary through the official system of the Federal Chamber of Notaries; since August 2023 this also covers most contributions in kind. Founders need a German ID card with online function, an EU eID card or – for non-EU nationals – a German electronic residence permit, usually together with a passport, plus an NFC smartphone with the notary app. Founders without such an eID can sign in person or grant a notarised power of attorney.

A UG needs only €1 capital but must build reserves from profit and is sometimes seen as less established. A GmbH needs €25,000 (half paid in at the start) and is the standard for dealing with banks and large customers.

Usually one to four weeks from signing to registration, depending mainly on the register court and how quickly the share capital is paid in.

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Short form, no upload, written quote by email.

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Questions? Write to [email protected]