Company formation in Germany
GmbH (or UG from €1)
Legal minimum, year 1£564
Legal minimum, per year after£120
Typical year 1£3,819
Corporation tax30%Ease Banking
Every fee
Setting up
Government fee£194
€225 HandelsregisterNotary (deed, register filing)£150 to 710
Required€176 Musterprotokoll to €826 custom
German business address£100 to 300
Required
Interpreter at notary (if no German)£0 to 300
Optional
Capital deposit account£0 to 100
OptionalGmbH only
Share capital€25,000 (€12,500 paid in; UG from €1)
Time to form2 to 4 weeks
Running it, per year
Transparency Register fee£20
Required
IHK chamber fee£0 to 150
RequiredOften waived for small profits
German business address£100 to 300
Required
Steuerberater£0 to 5,000
Practically neededNot legally required, but filings are complex
Legal minimum after year 1£120
Audit: Exempt for small companiesForeign ownersNo resident directorOnline video notarisation allowed for standard GmbH/UG formations
TaxAbout 30% (15.825% CIT plus trade tax, varies by town)Dividend withholding: 26.375% (treaty reduced)VAT/GST: 19%
BankingMany neobanks (Qonto, Finom, Vivid) open GmbH accounts; needed before capital is paid
A Steuerberater is effectively mandatory and is the biggest running cost.
Questions
- How much does it cost to set up a company in Germany?
- The legal minimum for the first year is £564, counting only what the law requires and doing every filing yourself. A typical first year, with an accountant, costs about £3,819. The government fee is £194 (€225 Handelsregister). Share capital is not included.
- How much does it cost per year to run a company in Germany?
- The legal minimum after the first year is £120 a year. Running costs including optional and practically needed services range from £120 to 5,470. Audit: Exempt for small companies.
- Do I need a local director in Germany?
- No. No resident director.
- Can a non-resident form a company in Germany remotely?
- Yes. Online video notarisation allowed for standard GmbH/UG formations.
- What is the corporation tax rate in Germany?
- About 30% (15.825% CIT plus trade tax, varies by town). Dividend withholding: 26.375% (treaty reduced). VAT/GST: 19%.
- How long does it take to form a company in Germany?
- 2 to 4 weeks.
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