Legal architecture for foreign founders
entering Germany.
From €1 UG to shelf GmbH in 72 hours, to EU Blue Card for your team. English-speaking corporate and tax lawyers in Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Munich.
We treat each mandate as a structural brief, not a checklist.
Formation
GmbH, UG, AG, holding stacks. Notary scheduling, Stammkapital escrow, Handelsregister filing in 5 to 15 working days.
Tax setup
Steuernummer at Finanzamt, USt-IdNr at BZSt, fiscal representation under § 22a UStG for non-EU sellers.
Immigration
EU Blue Card under § 18b AufenthG, § 21 self-employment route, work permits, coordinated with formation timeline.
Banking
Account opening with Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, Qonto, Finom, Penta. KYC packs prepared offline before any branch visit.
Substance
Registered office at prestige addresses in Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Munich. Mail handling, phone routing, local management options.
Compliance
Transparenzregister UBO filing under § 20 GwG, annual accounts via Steuerberater, BaFin liaison for regulated entities.
Four offices. One contract. Local execution.
Each city is owned end to end by one partner: notary introductions, Handelsregister procedure, Finanzamt registration, banking. Berlin runs the formation desk; Hamburg owns VAT and branch work; Düsseldorf takes holding and tax; Munich handles tech founders, Blue Card and DSGVO.
Formation
Shelf companies · branch · holding
Permits · compliance
Four offices, four lawyers
Meet the partners
How we work
Tell us what you need
Engineered from Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Munich. One partner per office, English contract, response within one working day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to have a German company in 2026?
A shelf GmbH with €25,000 of paid-in capital. Transfer of shares by notarial deed takes 24 to 72 hours, the HRB number is already issued, and a bank account can be live the same week. If you have more time, a fresh GmbH formation takes 3 to 6 weeks from notarial deed to HRB entry.
How long does a GmbH formation actually take?
Notarial deed day one, capital deposit day two or three, Handelsregister filing day four or five, HRB entry typically 5 to 15 working days later. Plan 3 to 6 weeks end to end, including tax number and USt-IdNr from the BZSt.
Can a non-resident own 100% of a German GmbH?
Yes. There is no residency requirement for shareholders or managing directors under § 6 GmbHG. The practical bottleneck is the business bank account, where non-EU UBOs face enhanced due diligence.
Do I need to travel to Germany for the formation?
Not necessarily. A notarised and apostilled power of attorney, compliant with German law on form, lets our notary sign the Beurkundung on your behalf. Some banks still require a video KYC call to open the operating account.
What is the minimum share capital for a UG vs a GmbH?
UG (haftungsbeschränkt): from €1 under § 5a GmbHG, with 25% retention duty until €25,000 is reached. GmbH: €25,000 under § 5 GmbHG, of which €12,500 must be paid in at registration per § 7 GmbHG.
How much is corporate tax in Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Munich in 2026?
Corporate tax stack: Körperschaftsteuer 15% plus Solidaritätszuschlag 5.5% on the KSt amount (0.825% effective) plus Gewerbesteuer. Gewerbesteuer varies by city: Berlin 14.35%, Düsseldorf 15.40%, Hamburg 16.45%, Munich 17.15%. Combined effective: Berlin 30.175%, Düsseldorf 31.225%, Hamburg 32.275%, Munich 32.975%.
Who can get an EU Blue Card in Germany in 2026?
Holders of a recognised university degree (or IT specialists with 3 years relevant experience under § 18g AufenthG) with a binding German job offer meeting the annual salary threshold. Regular threshold around €48,300; bottleneck occupations around €43,759.80 for 2026. Verify the current figure at application.
What is a shelf GmbH and why is it faster?
A pre-registered GmbH with paid-in capital of €25,000 that has never traded. Transfer happens by notarial share deed, Handelsregister filing of the new director and shareholder, Transparenzregister UBO update, and an economic-re-formation disclosure under German Mantelverwendung jurisprudence. Operational in 24 to 72 hours.
Do I need a German bank account to register my company?
Yes. The Stammkapital must be paid into a blocked account before Handelsregister filing of a GmbH. Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank are the usual incumbents; Qonto and Finom are the fast fintech paths. See § 7 GmbHG.
What does German Firma charge for formation services?
Quotes are case specific. Typical ranges: UG formation €900 to €1,500, GmbH formation €1,800 to €3,500, AG formation €3,500 to €7,000, shelf GmbH takeover €27,000 to €30,000 (capital plus admin). Government and notary fees pass through at cost. Tell us the scope and we return a fixed quote within one working day.