Germany at a glance
Germany is one of the EU jurisdictions founders most often use today, especially while the EU-wide 28th Regime (EU Inc) is still a proposal. Below are the verified essentials: company types, tax, capital, timing and whether you can set up remotely.
Company types in Germany
- GmbH (limited liability company) The standard German private company form. EUR 25,000 minimum capital, requires notarisation and a commercial-register (Handelsregister) entry.
- UG (haftungsbeschränkt) The "mini-GmbH", founded from as little as EUR 1; it must retain profits until reserves reach EUR 25,000, then can convert to a GmbH.
| Corporate tax | Around 30% combined. Federal corporate income tax is 15% plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge on that tax (15.825% together), plus a municipal trade tax (Gewerbesteuer) of roughly 7% to 17% depending on the municipality. |
|---|---|
| VAT rate | Standard VAT is 19%, with a reduced 7% rate. |
| Minimum share capital | EUR 25,000 for a GmbH, of which at least EUR 12,500 must be paid up before registration. The UG variant can be founded from EUR 1. |
| Setup time | About 2 to 4 weeks: notarisation of the deed, opening a bank account and deposit, then entry in the commercial register (Handelsregister). |
| Remote setup | Partial. Fully remote online formation of a GmbH or UG via secure video notarisation has been possible since August 2022, but in practice it remains harder for non-residents, and a German notary and bank account are typically still needed. |
| Director / residency | No legal residency requirement for the managing director (Geschäftsführer); 100% foreign ownership is allowed. |
| Banking options | A German business account is needed to deposit the share capital and can be difficult for non-residents; fintechs such as Qonto and N26 Business are common alternatives. |
| Our formation service | from around €100 to €200 (estimated). You get a fixed quote in your free plan before you commit. |
The largest EU economy; the GmbH is the default private company form. Combined corporate taxation (~30%) is among the higher rates in the EU, though a 2025 federal program legislated a gradual cut from 2028.
How to register a company in Germany
The process is straightforward and, in Germany, largely digital. In outline:
- Choose your company type and name. Most founders pick the GmbH (limited); we confirm the name is available.
- Verify your identity. Partial. Fully remote online formation of a GmbH or UG via secure video notarisation has been possible since August 2022, but in practice it remains harder for non-residents, and a German notary and bank account are typically still needed.
- File the incorporation. Once documents are signed, registration usually completes in around 2-4 weeks.
- Open a business account and register for tax/VAT. A German business account is needed to deposit the share capital and can be difficult for non-residents; fintechs such as Qonto and N26 Business are common alternatives.
We handle each step with licensed local counsel, so the paperwork, registered address and filings are done correctly the first time.
Form your German company in days
Tell us where you live and what you are building. Our formation service starts from around €100 to €200 (estimated); we confirm the right structure for Germany, give you a fixed quote, and form the company with licensed counsel.
Get your free planWho can form a company in Germany
Founders from outside the EU can own and run a German company, with the cross-border requirements handled for you. We flag any residency or local-agent rule for Germany up front, so there are no surprises.
Germany and the 28th Regime (EU Inc)
EU Inc, the proposed 28th Regime, would let you register one company valid across all 27 EU member states. It is not law yet (expected around 2027-2028), so a German company is one of the ready options you can use today. Forming an EU company now also positions you to adopt EU Inc later, as we cover in how to prepare an EU Inc company. To weigh Germany against other countries, see company formation in Europe.