Company Formation in Germany
Fast company registration in Germany at the best cost. Full packages for incorporation in Germany.
- One of the best reputed jurisdiction in the world
- Member state of the EU
- Remote incorporation and management possible
- Possibility to open a prestigious bank account
Consulting team dedicated into advising the best suitable jurisdiction for your project.
Blockchain enthusiast and expert on cryptocurrency and FinTech related laws.
Company Formation in Germany - Packages of services
Choose a package that you would like to receive more information on.
Consulting team dedicated into advising the best suitable jurisdiction for your project.
+44 20 4577 0974
Blockchain enthusiast and expert on cryptocurrency and FinTech related laws.
+44 20 4577 0974
Request information on company formation in Germany: cost, process and requirements.
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Initial consultation
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Turnkey Company Formation
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Company contact person
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Registered legal company address for 1 year
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Remote incorporation
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Notary Services
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Company Secretary
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Local personnel
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Accounting for 1 year
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Long-term POA
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Apostilled set of documents
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Additional legal support
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Corporate Account
Turnkey company formation, Everything you need to get off the ground. Start now!
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Initial consultation
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Turnkey Company Formation
-
Company contact person
-
Registered legal company address for 1 year
-
Remote incorporation
-
Notary Services
-
Company Secretary
-
Local personnel
-
Accounting for 1 year
-
Long-term POA
-
Apostilled set of documents
-
Additional legal support
-
Corporate Account
Full turnkey company formation and support in all necessary aspects. Customized pricing!
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Initial consultation
-
Turnkey Company Formation
-
Company contact person
-
Registered legal company address for 1 year
-
Remote incorporation
-
Notary Services
-
Company Secretary
-
Local personnel
-
Accounting for 1 year
-
Long-term POA
-
Apostilled set of documents
-
Additional legal support
-
Corporate Account
Their businesses bear fruit thanks to LegalBison
LegalBison excels at adapting to challenges and demonstrates a perfect understanding of our business needs.
The team of LegalBison was very helpful and fast in supporting my company’s structural set up. They are undoubtedly top-level experts when it comes to licensing and registrations in the crypto and web3 industry. Highly recommend!
As a result of the fruitful cooperation with LegalBison, Yellow Card obtained a VASP registration, fast and without any legal complications.
Best company for Crypto Licenses! Kudos to the team for making the incorporation of our company really smooth
LegalBison helped us navigate a space that’s often uncertain and complex, which gave us the confidence to move forward with our project.
Very proactive, responsive, and able to provide solutions and advice. The firm is familiar with the new industry of blockchain and cryptocurrency
Incorporation Assistance in Germany - Free Consultation
Our legal team is available within 24 business hours to answer your questions about incorporation in Germany.
Getting started with company registration in Germany
Find out all the necessary information about German company formation. Discover why Germany is a popular jurisdiction and how it may help your business to reach another level. Additional information on demand, directly with our team of experienced consultants.
- Duration
- Timeline
- Remote incorporation
- Required Information
- VAT
- Documents
How long does it take to form a company in Germany?
The incorporation process of a GmbH takes about 20-30 working days.
Procedure to prepare the registration of a company in Germany
The registration process for a company in Germany is very simple. The experts of LegalBison will assist you throughout every step of it:
- Initial consultation and agreement;
- Payment of the full invoice;
- [IF REMOTELY]: Notarization of POA by client;
- Preparation of registration documents;
- Document signed at the notary;
- Official register validity: immediately.
Can I form a company in Germany remotely?
The whole incorporation process can be conducted remotely. No travel necessary. Notarization of documents is necessary.
- A Power of Attorney (POA) from (all) partners/shareholders is needed;
- The POA is sent to you by us based on the services you want;
- You have to certify the POA by a notary and in some cases legalize it by apostille (some countries need full legalization);
- Once you have the POA on your hands, we double-check, and you send us the original form (physical document!) via courier to our address;
- Germany is part of the Hague Convention of the Apostille.
Necessary information to begin with company formation in Germany
- 3 options of your desired name for the company and a company contact email address;
- Names, addresses, and emails of all shareholders and board members;
- Short description of your company's activity.
Without VAT number in Germany
Your company will not be eligible to receive VAT refunds, which means everything bought is 19% more expensive (important: B2B payments between two VAT-exempt companies are not more expensive).
Your company will not have to file monthly tax returns (prerequisite: no one receives a salary), which means low costs.
With VAT number in Germany
- A limited liability company (GmbH) can apply for a VAT number through an online procedure;
- Companies involved in the domestic trading of goods are required to register for VAT;
- The company will be eligible to receive VAT refunds, which means you can make use of the reverse-charge mechanism;
- Monthly tax returns have to be filed, even if no transactions occur.
Required documents to provide to register a company in Germany
- Passport copies (scans) of shareholder/s and director/s, also a beneficiary owner if applicable;
- A Power of Attorney (in case of a remote company registration);
- Certified company documents (in case at least one of the shareholders is going to be a foreign company).
Alternatives to a German GmbH
Our legal team has curated the following jurisdictions as possible alternatives to a company registered in Germany.
Company Formation in Austria
from 1.800 €-
Prestigious standing
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Competitive tax rate in EU
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Completely remote
Company Formation in Liechtenstein
on request-
Luxurious financial center
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Low taxes
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Part of the EEA
Company Formation in France
from 1.500 €-
Allows nominee shareholders
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Low share capital
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Possible tax exemption
Company Formation in Great Britain
from 975 €-
Simple for banking
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Quick and easy to set-up
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Low dividend taxes
Company Formation in Poland
from 1.500 €-
0% Tax if undistributed
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A fast growing EU state
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Tech savvy workforce
Company Formation and Business Setup in UAE
from 3.000 €-
Competitive taxation
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Trusted and growing
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Easy to incorporate
Things to know before registering your company in Germany
Taxation of companies in Germany
German business profits are subject to two taxes: corporation tax and trade tax. Together, they add up to approximately 30% or higher.
The national corporate income tax rate in Germany is 15% of the taxable income (annual profits).
The effective corporate income tax rate, including subnational and trade taxes, is 29,9%.
DTAA signed by Germany for companies
Many countries have bilateral conventions to avoid double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion.
Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Caico Islands, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Cook Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Greece, Great Britain, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Mauritius, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Syria, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad, and, Tobago, Tunisia, Turks, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, United States, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Accounting and audit requirements for a company in Germany
German limited liability companies are required to provide yearly returns, including financial statements, accounts, and annexes. The document package, known as “Jahresabschluss”, can be filed online.
Past a certain threshold of turnover (12 M EUR), on the balance sheet (6 M EUR), or the number of employees (50), an annual audit becomes mandatory for a GmbH.
Economic substance and residency requirements for companies in Germany
There are no residential requirements for managing director(s) nor shareholder(s), who can be the same single person. A registered office in Germany is necessary for incorporation.
LegalBison offers help with the above requirements. We assist and are local in the country. Speak now for free with one of our consultants to get your business started.
- Taxes
- Double Tax Treaties
- Accounting and Audit
- Residency
Taxation of companies in Germany
German business profits are subject to two taxes: corporation tax and trade tax. Together, they add up to approximately 30% or higher.
The national corporate income tax rate in Germany is 15% of the taxable income (annual profits).
The effective corporate income tax rate, including subnational and trade taxes, is 29,9%.
DTAA signed by Germany for companies
Many countries have bilateral conventions to avoid double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion.
Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Caico Islands, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Cook Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Greece, Great Britain, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Iceland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Mauritius, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Syria, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad, and, Tobago, Tunisia, Turks, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, United States, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Accounting and audit requirements for a company in Germany
German limited liability companies are required to provide yearly returns, including financial statements, accounts, and annexes. The document package, known as “Jahresabschluss”, can be filed online.
Past a certain threshold of turnover (12 M EUR), on the balance sheet (6 M EUR), or the number of employees (50), an annual audit becomes mandatory for a GmbH.
Economic substance and residency requirements for companies in Germany
There are no residential requirements for managing director(s) nor shareholder(s), who can be the same single person. A registered office in Germany is necessary for incorporation.
LegalBison offers help with the above requirements. We assist and are local in the country. Speak now for free with one of our consultants to get your business started.
About company registration in Germany
First, you need to take into account the cost of registration and the recurring costs incurred by incorporation in a reputable jurisdiction (accounting, office, managing director if needed, etc). Then you need to take into account the mandatory deposit of the 25,000 EUR of share capital, half of which has to be deposited for registration, the remainder within a year. Lastly, you want to consider Germany’s effective corporate tax rate, close to 30%, one of the highest in the European Union.
With LegalBison’s assistance, the process of registering a company in Germany is simplified. We will give you all the necessary information to make a decision. Once the project is launched, our project management team will ask you to provide a basic set of documents, after which our law firm will manage the complete process for you.
Registering a limited liability company in Germany is recommended for domestic business, as well as in the whole European Union and the other German-speaking countries (Austria, Switzerland). Germany is very reputable and is among the main commercial partners of most European countries, including France or Italy, for example.
Depending on your objective and your business model, another jurisdiction might fit better. The best way to determine if Germany is the best place for your business is to get in touch with our experts.
Yes, GmbH means «Limited Liability Company» in German.
Contact Us
Request more information about incorporation in Germany. Our consulting team will provide you with all the necessary details and guidance to properly set up your business in Germany.
Inquire now and receive a personalized quote for your project. The first consultation is entirely free of charge.
Consulting team dedicated into advising the best suitable jurisdiction for your project.
Blockchain enthusiast and expert on cryptocurrency and FinTech related laws.
