Steuerberatung in Regensburg

Company formation in Germany

Founding a company in Germany

Company formation in Germany

WW+KN can give support in the preparation and founding of a German subsidiary company. As well as this, we take care of the various registrations for the German company and its tax and accounting representation thereafter. WW+KN is available to the foreign management as a strategic contact an partner for all the needs of the German subsidiary company.

If you would like to found a German GmbH as quickly as possible or, if you have general questions about it, you are welcome to send an email to office@wwkn.de.

WWKN Steuerberater

Most foreign companies found a German GmbH

The GmbH is the most common type of company in Germany.
It is the same kind of company as the Spanish SL, the French Sàrl, the Dutch BV and the Private Limited Company in Great Britain.

The minimum nominal capital to found a GmbH is 25,000 euros. Of this, at least 12,500 euros must be paid in at the time of founding. Generally speaking, it is advisable to pay in 100 percent of the nominal capital immediately to avoid liability risks in the time that follows.

What are the necessary documents and information?

To be able to found a German GmbH for a foreign client, we generally need the following documents and information:
  • Intended company name for the German GmbH
  • Description of the intended business activity with the German GmbH
  • Intended location of the company
  • Intended address of the company
  • Information about the intended shareholders of the GmbH and copies of their personal ID, or a copy of the founding documents and companies register entry for foreign companies as founder
  • Intended nominal capital of the GmbH
  • Amount intended to be paid in of the nominal capital
  • Personal details on the intended manager of the GmbH and a copy of their personal ID

Founding your GmbH

WW+KN can coordinate the processes for founding your German GmbH and can also carry out the necessary legalisation with a notary on your behalf. If WW+KN is to act on your behalf, it is generally necessary to have a POA with apostille issued in your home country.

As part of the founding procedure, WW+KN will clarify with the jurisdictional Chamber of Commerce and Industry as to whether the company name you have selected is legally permissible. WW+KN will also coordinate with a notary’s office on your behalf to prepare the Articles of Association, Resolution of Foundation and the entry into the Commercial Register for your GmbH.

Manager of the German GmbH

Essentially persons of any nationality and any residence in the world can be appointed as general manager (Geschäftsführer) of a German GmbH.

Only one manager is necessary, although you may also appoint several managers at any time. There is no obligation for the appointed manager to be a German citizen or a person residing in Germany.

Shareholders of a German GmbH

Shareholders of a German GmbH may be persons and companies of any nationality and with any location in the world. Only one shareholder is required for the foundation.

A shareholder may also be the manager of the German GmbH, if the shareholder is an individual. The number of shareholders of a GmbH is not limited which means there can be any number of shareholders that participate in a German GmbH.

Nominal capital of a German GmbH

The nominal capital of a GmbH must be at least 25,000 euros. Capital contributions may be either in the form of cash contributions or asset contributions. With regard to founding a GmbH with cash, at least 12,500 euros must be paid in before the entry into the Commercial Register is made.

To complete the foundation a bank account must be opened without delay after signing the certificate of foundation before the notary and the nominal capital must be paid into this account. Additionally, a bank statement showing the capital provide the company foundation must be submitted to the registry court together with the company statutes.