Launch your startup faster with firma.de - firma.de

Build your startup in Germany

Get fully-operational in the fastest time possible with our one-stop shop.

  • Do away with bureaucracy in just a few clicks
  • Get an expert to personally guide you through the process
  • A single formation solution from AWS, Stripe, Lexoffice and more
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or take me to the Startup GmbH package
Withfirma.de
Launchyour startup

Your one-stop solution to launch your startup faster

Startup UG

UG incorporation service + curated special offers to get up and running in the shortest time possible.
349 €
/

one-time*

*Net price
What you get
  • $5,000 in promotional credits for 2 years for all AWS services and $1,500 in promotional credits for AWS business support valid for 1 year
  • €20,000 in Stripe credits
  • Lexoffice bookkeeping
  • Caya digital mailbox

What you get

checked

AWS Activate credits

AWS Activate Credits are subject to the AWS Terms & Conditions

Stripe credits

Stripe Credits are subject to the Stripe Terms & Conditions

Lexoffice bookkeeping

Test Lexoffice accounting software 12 months with a 50% discount

Caya digital mailbox

Receive your daily mail online
checked

Preparation of the VAT ID tax questionnaire

checked

Commercial register entry groundwork

checked

Business registration paperwork

checked

Incorporation checklist

checked

Preliminary HWK business description check

checked

Preliminary IHK company name check

Startup GmbH

GmbH incorporation services + a key selection of services to get you fully-operational in the fastest time possible.
389 €
/

one-time*

*Net price
What you get
  • $5,000 in promotional credits for 2 years for all AWS services and $1,500 in promotional credits for AWS business support valid for 1 year
  • €20,000 in Stripe credits
  • Lexoffice Bookkeeping
  • Caya digital mailbox

What you get

checked

AWS Activate credits

AWS Activate Credits are subject to the AWS Terms & Conditions

Stripe credits

Stripe Credits are subject to the Stripe Terms & Conditions

Lexoffice bookkeeping

Test Lexoffice accounting software 12 months with a 50% discount

Caya digital mailbox

Receive your daily mail online
checked

Preparation of the VAT ID tax questionnaire

checked

Commercial register entry groundwork

checked

Business registration paperwork

checked

Incorporation checklist

checked

Preliminary HWK business description check

checked

Preliminary IHK company name check

Startup Holding

Holding incorporation service + curated special offers to get up and running in the shortest time possible.
738 €
/

one-time*

*Net price
What you get
  • 1 x UG as Holding company, 1 x GmbH as operating company
  • $5,000 in promotional credits for 2 years for all AWS services and $5,000 in promotional credits for AWS business support valid for 1 year
  • €20,000 in Stripe credits
  • Lexoffice bookkeeping
  • Caya digital mailbox

What you get

checked

AWS Activate credits

AWS Activate Credits are subject to the AWS Terms & Conditions

Stripe credits

Stripe Credits are subject to the Stripe Terms & Conditions

Lexoffice bookkeeping

Test Lexoffice accounting software 12 months with a 50% discount

Caya digital mailbox

Receive your daily mail online
checked

Preparation of the VAT ID tax questionnaire

checked

Commercial register entry groundwork

checked

Business registration paperwork

checked

Incorporation checklist

checked

Preliminary HWK business description check

checked

Preliminary IHK company name check

Net prices, for all credits, vouchers and other partner deals the respective terms and conditions of the providers apply

Customised articles of association drafted by a lawyer: Protect yourself and your co-shareholders.

Startup packages at founder friendly prices

Startup UGStartup GmbHStartup Holding
What you get

AWS Activate credits

AWS Activate Credits are subject to the AWS Terms & Conditions

Stripe credits

Stripe Credits are subject to the Stripe Terms & Conditions
€20,000 in credits€20,000 in credits€20,000 in credits

Lexoffice bookkeeping

Test Lexoffice accounting software 12 months with a 50% discount
1 year trial with 50% off1 year trial with 50% off1 year trial with 50% off

Caya digital mailbox

Receive your daily mail online
15% off promo code15% off promo code15% off promo code
Preparation of the VAT ID tax questionnaire
Commercial register entry groundwork
Business registration paperwork
Incorporation checklist
Preliminary HWK business description check
Preliminary IHK company name check
349€ excluding tax389€ excluding tax738€ excluding tax
Start nowStart nowStart now

Note:
The notary's fees as well as the costs for the registration in the commercial register are not included in the price and are incurred additionally.
The firma.de Firmenbaukasten AG itself does not provide any legal advice. firma.de works exclusively with lawyers and independent tax advisers who are specialised in the field of entrepreneurial companies (limited liability corporations). Please arrange an appointment under: +49 611 17207-0 or by email at support@firma.de

Together with our partners we help you burn less

  • AWS-Activate Logo Squid RGB

    AWS Activate

    AWS Activate gives you free access to training, tools and experts to help you successfully build your business on AWS without neglecting issues such as performance optimization, risk management and full cost control.

    More information
  • stripe-logo

    Stripe credits

    From e-commerce to SaaS to marketplaces, Stripe takes care of all the technicalities so you can focus on growing your startup.

    More information
  • lexoffice logo-1

    Lexoffice bookkeeping

    The online software makes bookkeeping easy! Whether you want to create offers, write invoices, manage clients or prepare your tax return, Lexoffice has got you covered.

    More information

Your roadmap to an incorporated company

  1. You buy a Startup Package online in just a few clicks.
  2. You get an expert to guide you through the process.
  3. We arrange for your company name to be checked by the IHK.
  4. We make a notary appointment for you in your desired city.
  5. We coordinate the opening of the bank account perfectly with the notary appointment.
  6. Directly after entry into the commercial register your business registration and the tax office questionnaire are prepared.
  7. We refer you to a suitable tax adviser partner for personalised advice on preparing your company's opening balance sheet.
  8. You start doing business.
Start now
Customer Story

Pleo

"Entering the German market involves a lot of moving parts that can easily come apart without proper handling. Having a knowledgeable partner on the ground that you share a common language is essential for expanding into new terrain." Pleo

See all customer stories

FAQs

Why use a company formation service like firma.de?

Formation services are hands-down the most cost-effective, easiest and fastest way to incorporate a company. How? It boils down to three main things: automaticity, scale and a founder first ethos.

1) What we do is form companies all-day every day. It's only natural that we've optimised our processes to not only automatically avoid pitfalls but also cut costs.

2) Our expertise comes from helping (literally) thousands of companies in Germany get started. No other law firm, consultancy or software even comes close to the scale of legacy knowledge that we have.

3) We're on a mission to democratise entrepreneurship because of the incredible potential it holds. As a company by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, firma.de is not just a service provider but a partner of founders of all backgrounds in Germany.

How does the firma.de Startup package work?

Our packages bring together offers from our partners to give your startup everything it needs to be fully-operatinal.

1. Incorporate your company: Incorporate in the shortest time possible with firma.de. Our services let you skip over all the pesky bureaucracy to get to your limited liability company in Germany.

2. Build digital infrastructure: Anything digital that you can dream of can be built on AWS. We give you €10K in AWS Activate credits so you can set up the tech your startup needs immediately.  

3. Set up a payment system: Stripe's online payment processing platform is the best solution to get paid. With Stripe you can set up a payment system that supports almost any business model and currency. Stripe sweetens the deal with €20,000 in credits. This can save you big time in transaction costs.

4. Sort out bookkeeping: Good bookkeeping hygiene saves you time, money and your sanity. 12 months free access to Lexoffice will help your startup develop good accounting habits.

5. Become contactable: Cloud telephony and a virtual mailbox are the frictionless way startups can stay connected with the outside world. Find out for yourself with special offers from Placetel and Caya.

6. Start doing business: Now that you're fully operational, time to start hustling. Keep in touch. We're here for you!

UG vs GmbH: Which legal form is right for my startup?

Should you incorporate your business as a GmbH or UG? There is no straightforward answer to this question, as both company types offer advantages and disadvantages to both founders and shareholders.

Essentially, forming a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) is ideal for anyone who can raise at least the minimum share capital and needs the legitimacy of operating as an internationally trusted corporate structure. The main advantage of a GmbH is the limited liability and the protection it offers its shareholders. Additionally, the tax benefits a GmbH enjoys can be significant.

On the downside, there are many obstacles to be overcome like the high formation costs and tax accountancy/advisory fees, as well as the many bureaucratic hoops that founders must jump through. For these reasons, founders, without deep pockets and little entrepreneurial experience, are advised against forming a GmbH.

The alternative is a Unternehmergesellschaft (UG) — a private entrepreneurial company that also offers limited liability without the high starting costs associated with a GmbH. Similar in form to a GmbH, the minimum share requirement drops from €25,000 to €1 (cash only - contributions in kind are forbidden). And, there's always the opportunity to convert into a GmbH later on if the necessary capital becomes available.

For your education

  • Company checklist

    A roadmap for setting up a company

  • GmbH

    We explain what a GmbH is and what it costs.

  • What is a UG?

    Everything you need to know about the UG company form.

Do you need help?

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