Founding a Company in Germany: The Full Bureaucratic Checklist

Founding a Company in Germany: The Full Checklist

A GmbH means clearing a chain of registrations, each with its own office, deadline, and fee. Here's the whole path so nothing ambushes you.

1. Notary and articles cost 300–1.000 €

Your Gesellschaftsvertrag (articles of association) must be notarized, and every shareholder has to attend - video notarization exists but needs digital signatures. A standard template runs roughly 300–600 €, a custom agreement 500–1.000 €, plus about 150–200 € in court registration fees. You also need a mailbox at your registered address.

2. The bank account is a chicken-and-egg problem

Right after signing, open a company account and deposit the share capital - minimum 25.000 € for a GmbH. The catch: some banks want your Handelsregister and tax numbers, which only arrive later.

3. The Handelsregister entry makes you a real company

Entry here turns your "GmbH i.G." (in formation) into a full legal entity. Until that entry, shareholders can be personally liable, so add protective clauses to early contracts.

4. Transparenzregister: one month to name your owners

Within one month of the Handelsregister entry, disclose your beneficial owners - anyone holding more than 25%.

5. Tax registration runs through ELSTER

File the steuerlicher Erfassungsbogen (tax questionnaire) on the ELSTER portal. Your tax number arrives in about 4–6 weeks, the VAT ID in 2–4 weeks. VAT returns are monthly or quarterly depending on expected revenue.

6. Gewerbeanmeldung triggers four more offices

A short form at the local Gewerbeamt, usually 30–60 €. It automatically pings the tax office, IHK, broadcasting authority, and Berufsgenossenschaft.

7. Memberships and fees follow automatically

Mandatory IHK membership, the Rundfunkbeitrag broadcasting fee, and Berufsgenossenschaft (accident insurance) registration within a week of founding.

8. Bookkeeping is double-entry from day one

A GmbH must keep double-entry books and file annual statements with a balance sheet and income statement.

What trips people up

• German authorities prefer post; credentials arrive by mail over roughly two weeks.
• Watch for scam invoices, especially ones with foreign IBANs mimicking official registries.
• Missed deadlines trigger fines, enforcement, and unfavorable estimated tax assessments.

Work the list top to bottom and keep every confirmation letter.