Private limited company · GmbH
A GmbH is incorporated with a German notary and registered in the commercial register. Its articles define the purpose, registered office, capital and shareholders.
German company formation
Company formation in Germany
Plan a German establishment with the company structure, local operation and ownership aligned. We coordinate notarial preparation, registration requirements and the banking and international tax questions around your business.
Your establishment options
Start with the right structure.
The route depends on your activity, ownership and operating plans. These are the decisions to resolve before the application.
Foreign shareholders
Foreign individuals and companies can be shareholders. Corporate founders need evidence of existence and representation, with authentication and translation requirements confirmed by the notary.
Local business registration
Commercial-register entry and local trade-office notification are distinct steps. The activity may also require a sector-specific permission before operations begin.
Local establishment essentials
Know what comes next.
The exact document list follows the selected entity, owners and activity. Your adviser will confirm the requirements for your case.
- Agree the company purpose, shareholders and management.
- Prepare a German business address and representation arrangements.
- Confirm the notary’s requirements for foreign documents.
- Coordinate capital contribution, register filing and trade notification.
After incorporation
Plan for the years ahead.
Plan bookkeeping and annual financial-statement disclosure. For current financial years, disclosure documents are submitted to the Company Register; the scope, exemptions and audit requirements need to be assessed for the company.
From decision to establishment
A clear path to your next company.
The scope is agreed before the work begins. You can see what is included, who is responsible and what information is needed.
01
Define your requirements
We review the activity, owners, operating markets and practical requirements. Where the destination is undecided, the brief starts with comparing options.
02
Review your proposal
Your proposal sets out the chosen route, work involved, professional fees and external costs. Timing is assessed against the actual application and dependencies.
03
Establish & prepare to operate
Following agreement, the incorporation work and supporting steps are coordinated. Banking, visas and sector permissions follow their own assessment and approval processes.
Beyond incorporation
Bring the decisions together.
Select the support your business needs. The agreed scope may combine formation with corporate structuring, tax advice, banking preparation and relocation planning.
01 / Structure
Ownership & governance
Clarify shareholders, decision-making and the relationship with your wider group.
02 / TaxInternational tax advisory
Our own tax team considers the cross-border position, treaty questions and transfer pricing relevant to your brief.
03 / BankingCorporate banking support
Prepare the business profile, ownership information and account-opening requirements for bank review.
04 / PeopleVisas & personal residency
Coordinate immigration and personal tax-residency questions separately from the company’s registration.
Costs & timing
One proposal.
Your actual requirements.
Every case is quoted individually. The activity, ownership, location, premises and additional services determine the work and cost.
Professional work
The advisory, preparation and coordination included in your engagement.
External charges
Authority, notarial, registry, workspace and third-party costs, as applicable.
Time & dependencies
The document readiness, authority reviews and separate banking or immigration steps that influence delivery.
Your questions
Before you begin.
Can a German GmbH have foreign shareholders?
Yes. The official investment guide allows foreign shareholders. Local address, representation, notarial evidence and any permission requirements still need to be addressed.
How much will my company setup cost?
We quote each case individually after reviewing the proposed activity, owners and required support. Your proposal separates professional fees from authority and third-party charges.
Can formation, banking and visas be handled together?
They can be coordinated within an agreed scope where applicable. Each follows its own requirements, and the relevant authority or bank makes the approval decision.
Your next step
Let’s plan your establishment.
Tell us your business activity, intended markets, ownership and any visa or banking needs. We will define the scope and prepare an individual proposal.
A short outline is enough to begin. Please do not email passports or bank documents at this stage.
Official incorporation references
Source material checked: 24 October 2026. General establishment information; requirements are confirmed for the individual case.
Photograph & credit
Jörg Braukmann · Frankfurt Skyline 2022.jpg · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photograph displayed with a responsive crop.