Company formation in Germany.
GmbH, UG, AG.
Four offices, four lawyers.
From €1 UG to shelf GmbH in 72 hours, to EU Blue Card for your team. English-speaking corporate and tax lawyers in Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Munich.
Formation
Shelf companies · branch · holding
Permits · compliance
Four offices, four lawyers
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Engineered from Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Munich. One partner per office, English contract, response within one working day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to have a German company in 2026?
A shelf GmbH with €25,000 of paid-in capital. Transfer of shares by notarial deed takes 24 to 72 hours, the HRB number is already issued, and a bank account can be live the same week. If you have more time, a fresh GmbH formation takes 3 to 6 weeks from notarial deed to HRB entry.
How long does a GmbH formation actually take?
Notarial deed day one, capital deposit day two or three, Handelsregister filing day four or five, HRB entry typically 5 to 15 working days later. Plan 3 to 6 weeks end to end, including tax number and USt-IdNr from the BZSt.
Can a non-resident own 100% of a German GmbH?
Yes. There is no residency requirement for shareholders or managing directors under § 6 GmbHG. The practical bottleneck is the business bank account, where non-EU UBOs face enhanced due diligence.
Do I need to travel to Germany for the formation?
Not necessarily. A notarised and apostilled power of attorney, compliant with German law on form, lets our notary sign the Beurkundung on your behalf. Some banks still require a video KYC call to open the operating account.
What is the minimum share capital for a UG vs a GmbH?
UG (haftungsbeschränkt): from €1 under § 5a GmbHG, with 25% retention duty until €25,000 is reached. GmbH: €25,000 under § 5 GmbHG, of which €12,500 must be paid in at registration per § 7 GmbHG.
How much is corporate tax in Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Munich in 2026?
Corporate tax stack: Körperschaftsteuer 15% plus Solidaritätszuschlag 5.5% on the KSt amount (0.825% effective) plus Gewerbesteuer. Gewerbesteuer varies by city: Berlin 14.35%, Düsseldorf 15.40%, Hamburg 16.45%, Munich 17.15%. Combined effective: Berlin 30.175%, Düsseldorf 31.225%, Hamburg 32.275%, Munich 32.975%.
Who can get an EU Blue Card in Germany in 2026?
Holders of a recognised university degree (or IT specialists with 3 years relevant experience under § 18g AufenthG) with a binding German job offer meeting the annual salary threshold. Regular threshold around €48,300; bottleneck occupations around €43,759.80 for 2026. Verify the current figure at application.
What is a shelf GmbH and why is it faster?
A pre-registered GmbH with paid-in capital of €25,000 that has never traded. Transfer happens by notarial share deed, Handelsregister filing of the new director and shareholder, Transparenzregister UBO update, and an economic-re-formation disclosure under German Mantelverwendung jurisprudence. Operational in 24 to 72 hours.
Do I need a German bank account to register my company?
Yes. The Stammkapital must be paid into a blocked account before Handelsregister filing of a GmbH. Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank are the usual incumbents; Qonto and Finom are the fast fintech paths. See § 7 GmbHG.
What does German Firma charge for formation services?
Quotes are case specific. Typical ranges: UG formation €900 to €1,500, GmbH formation €1,800 to €3,500, AG formation €3,500 to €7,000, shelf GmbH takeover €27,000 to €30,000 (capital plus admin). Government and notary fees pass through at cost. Tell us the scope and we return a fixed quote within one working day.