Company Formation

Summary Setting up as a freelancer in Germany means you work independently on contracts, typically for multiple clients, without being treated as an employee. You must choose whether you qualify as a liberal professional or a commercial trader, since this distinction impacts tax and registration obligations. The risk of false self-employment is real if you …

Summary A GbR or Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts, is a civil law partnership in Germany for at least two people pursuing a common purpose. It requires no minimum capital and can be set up quickly and easily. All partners share unlimited liability with their private assets for the company’s obligations. It is one of the simplest …

Summary Setting up a gGmbH combines the entrepreneurial structure of a GmbH with the benefits of charitable status. Founders must define a non-profit purpose, draft legally compliant articles of association, and obtain approval from the tax office before notarisation. Afterward, the share capital must be deposited in a business account, and the company entered in …

Summary The formation of a stock corporation 💬 ktiengesellschaft (AG) in Germany requires a minimum share capital of €50,000, with at least part of it paid in at incorporation. The process involves drafting and notarising the articles of association 💬Satzung, subscribing to shares, appointing the management bodies—including the executive board 💬Vorstand, supervisory board 💬Aufsichtsrat and …

Summary Knowing how to start a holding company in Germany is crucial for international entrepreneurs who want to optimise taxes, protect assets, and manage subsidiaries efficiently. The summary covers key requirements, the step-by-step formation process, legal forms for holdings and subsidiaries, plus documents, costs, and timelines. It also highlights risk management, leadership aspects, and common …

Summary A sole proprietorship 💬Einzelunternehmen is the simplest way to start a business in Germany. It requires no minimum capital, and the founder retains full control of the business. However, the owner bears unlimited personal liability with their private assets. For commercial activities, you need to register with the trade office; for liberal professions only …