Registering Company in Germany: what every business owner must know
Introduction:
Knowing how to register a company in Germany is a prerequisite to obtaining a license to operate as a company established in Germany. Germany is a good country in terms of economic strength. Germany also has an enabling environment that attracts businessmen from all over the world. Nevertheless, company registration in Germany seems like a complicated process for someone who doesn’t have the right information on a new company can apply for a license. So, we will be explaining the proper steps you can take when you want to register a company in Germany.
DIFFERENT COMPANIES YOU CAN REGISTER IN GERMANY
A businessman can register different companies in Germany depending on the objectives of the firm and its ability to meet up the requirement of the law to obtain their license of operation. Germany’s company formation may seem complicated if you lack accurate information. Below are different companies you can register in Germany.
Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH)[1]: It is the equivalent of a limited liability company in Germany. The major decisions are made by board members who meet periodically to make crucial decisions such as who becomes the director of firms under this category of companies. Its shares are excluded from the list in the stock market because the trading of its shares is done without prior public notice.
Unternehmergesellschaft (UG)[2]: This company shares some similarities with GmbH. People looking out to register a company in Germany with limited resources. The company can sell out its shares without any restriction on the volume of shares to be sold to the public. It helps new small businesses and startups to grow through external investors/shareholders.
Aktiengesellschaft (AG): Aktiengesellschaft, meaning a public limited company in English, offers its shares to the public for sales. In addition to this, unlike a limited liability company, its shares are offered on a public stock exchange market for whosoever is interested in buying the shares. In case the organization selling their shares run into debt, the assets of the shareholders remain under strict protection. Besides, members of the board take the financial responsibility of the company. This includes raising capital for business.
Kommanditgesellschaft (limited partnership business): This particular company gives options to interested people to either be partial partners or general partners. The difference between general and partial partners is that general partners have a role to play in managing the affairs of the company while the partial partners are more like investors. They only contribute capital and don’t influence the decision on how to run the business activities every day.
Subsidiaries and Branches: This deals with interested international companies targeting the formation of business organizations in Germany. In a situation such as this, the headquarter takes charge of the liability and profits.
THE COST REQUIRED FOR A COMPANY’S REGISTRATION IN GERMANY
1. Company’s registration fee: To register a company in Germany, you will need an estimated amount of 1,800 euros so you can obtain the license of operation,
2. Costs of Virtual office: For this, you need an estimate of 208 euros to be paid every month.
3. Accounting cost: You pay a minimum of 100 euros every month when you do your company’s registration in Germany as accounting fees.
4. Minimum share capital: When you want to make a company’s registration for a limited liability firm, you should bear in mind to pay a share capital of at least 25,000 euros and 1,00 euro for the Mini GmbH.
7 WAYS TO FOLLOW TO ACHIEVE A COMPANY’S REGISTRATION IN GERMANY
1. Brainstorm on the company’s name people can easily relate to for your products and services. After this is done, consult Hanndelsregister (the commercial register) to ensure that the name is not being used by a business already.
2. Take your time to define what your business organization stands for.
3. Approach the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) for the submission of your application for validation of your company’s name.
4. Create excellent content that will be used for your articles of association and also notarize them.
5. Open a business account with a local German bank.
6. Make a deposit of the share capital to be saved in the account earlier opened and also file a bank statement with your documents containing your details.
7. Submit an application for a Tax ID and when issued, go ahead to register with the local trade registration.
For some business sectors, insurance documents are necessary to complete the company’s registration. Also, some documents are expected to be submitted at a notary. They are; the ID information of the directors and shareholders, a copy of their passports including that of beneficial owners, and the form of incorporation of the company already filed by the representative of the company.
CONCLUSION:
A lot of effort is required for the company’s formation in Germany. However, with the right knowledge and direction, registering a new company is one of the easiest things to achieve within a short period in Germany. In 2-5 days, you can register a company in Germany once you can attach all the required documents to your application for a license.
