| Legal system | Civil law |
|---|---|
| Corporate tax | ~30% effective |
| Public register | Handelsregister (public) |
| Min. capital | €25,000 (half paid up) |
| Formation (all-in) | $2,490 · with registered agent & office $3,120 |
| Annual renewal | $1,870 |
| Timeline | 2–4 weeks (notary) after verification |
Why Germany
Europe's largest economy — a GmbH signals substance like little else. Your engagement is handled end-to-end by one dedicated agent, at the published fixed fee — government charges and courier included.
German formations run through a notary and a bank capital deposit, which sets the timeline — your agent coordinates both and keeps you informed at each stage. A lower-capital UG (mini-GmbH) is available if you'd rather start light; ask your agent which fits.
Who forms companies in Germany
- Operating businesses that need a credible onshore address and mainstream banking
- Founders selling into Europe who need local standing with customers and platforms
- Groups adding a regulated-market presence alongside an offshore holding structure
The process, step by step
- Order online at the published fixed fee — $3,120 all-in with registered agent & office, or $2,490 formation only.
- Verify once. We email you a secure identity-verification link; it takes about ten minutes. No documents are uploaded to this website.
- Name check and preparation. Your dedicated agent confirms name availability and prepares the filing with the licensed local provider.
- The registry completes formation — typically 2–4 weeks (notary).
- Delivery and beyond. Documents arrive digitally the day they issue, originals by courier — and the same agent handles your renewals every year after.
Naming your company
Company names in Germany must end with one of the permitted designations: GmbH, UG (haftungsbeschränkt). Give us two name choices when you order — your agent checks availability with the registry before anything is filed.
Transparency and reporting
Modern offshore is transparent offshore. Germany participates in the OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS): banks and financial institutions automatically report account information to the account holder's home tax authority each year (the United States operates its own equivalent, FATCA). Economic-substance rules apply to certain activities, and beneficial-ownership information is held for regulators even where no public register exists. None of this affects a lawfully run structure: a company is a tool for organising your affairs, not for hiding them. Your agent flags anything that applies to your intended activity, and clients remain responsible for tax reporting wherever they are resident.
Annual obligations
Renewal is $1,870 per year, covering the registered office and agent. As an onshore company you will also file annual returns and accounts with the local registry (with audits where required) — your agent tells you exactly what applies and when.
What's included
- Name check and filing with the companies registry
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Constitutional documents (articles / statutes)
- Registered office address, first year (full service)
- Government and registry fees
- Statutory registers and share certificates
- Digital documents + originals by courier
Frequently asked
How much does it cost to incorporate in Germany?
The all-in formation fee is $2,490, or $3,120 including the first year of registered agent and office. Annual renewal is $1,870. Government charges and courier delivery are included, and every fee is published before you speak to us.
How long does incorporation take in Germany?
Typically 2–4 weeks (notary) once identity verification is complete. Your dedicated agent gives you a precise expectation before anything is filed.
What is the corporate tax position in Germany?
~30% effective Clients remain responsible for tax reporting in their home jurisdictions; we never provide tax advice.
Do I need to travel to Germany to form a company?
No. Formation is completed remotely: you order online, verify your identity once through a secure portal, and your documents are delivered digitally with originals couriered worldwide.
Is there a public register of owners in Germany?
Handelsregister (public) Ownership information is always collected privately for anti-money-laundering purposes, whatever the public position.
What are the annual costs after formation?
Renewal is $1,870 per year, covering the registered agent and office and recurring government fees. Your dedicated agent handles renewal before it falls due, every year.
Will the company's bank account be reported under CRS?
Generally yes. Banks report financial accounts and their controlling persons to the account holders' home tax authorities under the OECD Common Reporting Standard (or FATCA for US persons) — automatically, worldwide. Lawfully run structures are unaffected beyond normal home-country tax reporting.