Company Registration in Germany
Capital: Berlin.
Official languages: German.
Currency: euro.
Company registration provides the following benefits:
- Double tax treaty signed by Germany with 67 countries
- Lowest corporate tax in Europe – 0% - 12.5%
Germany is located in Central Europe and is the most populous country in the European Union.
Germany borders European countries such as France, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Germany's economy is the largest in Europe and the 4th largest in the world by nominal GDP.
Taxation and Reporting Features
Corporate Income Tax:
- Standard rate: 15%
- Reduced rates for small businesses
- Exemptions for specific investments
VAT:
- Standard rate: 19%
- Reduced rate: 7% (essential goods)
- 0% on certain exports and services
Dividends:
- Withholding tax rate: 25%
- Exemptions available under tax treaties
Company registration in Germany is conducted through the Commercial Register (Handelsregister). The company name must be unique and comply with German naming regulations.
To register a company, an application signed by all directors must be submitted, including details such as the company's name, address, and business purpose. Necessary documents include the articles of association, a declaration of beneficial owners, and proof of initial share capital deposit.
After incorporation, the company must be registered with the local trade office (Gewerbeamt) and tax authorities. The registration is published in the Federal Gazette.
At the time of registration, the company must have:
- A Tax Identification Number (Steuernummer) obtained from the tax office, important for tax filings and opening a bank account.
- Certified Articles of Association by a notary.
- A bank statement verifying the deposit of the initial share capital.
- Registration with the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK).
Company Registration in Germany (GmbH)
- Limited liability for shareholders
- Minimum 1 director / 1 shareholder required
- Simplified business structure

Company Registration in Germany
Additional information
- Financial reporting: Annual mandatory reports with German GAAP/IFRS
- Audit: Required for medium and large companies
- Annual Return: Submitted annually to the German Chamber of Commerce
- Tax return: Corporate Tax Return to the Finanzamt
- Employer's Return: If there are employees, submitted annually
- Registers: Shareholders and directors (mandatory disclosure)
- Directors' details Available to the public via the commercial register
- Shareholders' details Publicly accessible
- Financial reporting Generally confidential, not published
Timeline and Stages
- 01
Document preparation and name selection
1-2 days - 02
Name search in the Companies Registry
1 day - 03
Online or offline document submission
1 day - 04
Obtaining CI and Business Registration certificates
7 working days - 05
Opening a corporate bank account
2-4 weeks
The bottom line
We recommend that you seek advice from qualified IT-OFFSHORE consulting specialists who have experience working with this jurisdiction and will be able to register your company in Germany in the shortest possible time.
We offer not only legal support for company registration, but also a wide range of services, which includes accounting services, nominee services, and full support of the company after its registration; Thus, we provide full year-round service to your company.
Cost calculation
Add the required options for your company:
FAQ
Can you register a company remotely?
Yes, in most cases — you can.
Remote company registration is available in the vast majority of popular jurisdictions today. Modern corporate services, electronic document management and professional registered agents make it possible to complete the entire registration process without being physically present in the country.
The process typically works as follows: you provide the required documents electronically, sign them remotely — via a notary, apostille or electronic signature — and a local registered agent handles all communication with government authorities and document submission on your behalf.
This has been made possible by several factors: most countries allow foreign founders and directors, corporate service providers operate remotely across the globe, and the digitisation of government registries has significantly streamlined and accelerated the procedures.
The one step that may still require in-person presence is opening a corporate bank account — however, even here many banks and fintech platforms now offer remote identity verification.
What documents are needed for registration?
Registering a company in most jurisdictions requires a standard set of documents. For individuals — founders and directors — the typical requirements include: a certified copy of a passport, proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement no older than 3 months), and in some cases a bank reference letter or CV.
For corporate shareholders, the required documents include: certificate of incorporation, articles of association, register of directors and shareholders, and confirmation of the ownership structure.
Do I need to keep accounting records and submit reports?
Accounting and reporting requirements vary significantly depending on the jurisdiction. In most countries, companies are required to maintain proper bookkeeping, file annual financial statements and submit tax returns.
At the same time, there are a number of jurisdictions where reporting requirements are minimal or effectively non-existent for non-resident companies. These include, for example, the Marshall Islands, the Cook Islands, Panama, Belize, Seychelles and Vanuatu — in these countries, companies that do not conduct business within the territory of the registration state are generally exempt from mandatory financial reporting and audit requirements.
We provide full company administration services, including preparation and submission of annual reports, liaison with local authorities and ensuring full compliance with all corporate requirements of the jurisdiction.
Is it possible to open a bank account for a company?
Yes, opening a corporate bank account is possible for virtually any jurisdiction, however this process deserves careful attention. Today businesses have two main options: traditional banks and fintech platforms.
Traditional banks offer a full range of financial services, but account opening requirements have become increasingly stringent — KYC procedures, source of funds confirmation, business plans and in some cases in-person presence may be required. Fintech platforms — such as Wise, Airwallex, Revolut Business and others — open accounts significantly faster and remotely, making them a popular solution for international companies at an early stage.
Is it possible to use nominee directors?
Yes, the use of nominee directors and shareholders is a common and legitimate practice in international corporate structuring. A nominee director is formally listed in the company registry but acts exclusively in accordance with the instructions of the beneficial owner, providing an additional layer of privacy.
This service is particularly in demand in jurisdictions where information about directors and shareholders is entered into a public register — for example, in Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Malta and a number of other EU countries. In offshore jurisdictions, nominee services are also widely used to simplify corporate governance and protect ownership structures.
We provide nominee director and shareholder services for any jurisdiction we work with.