Gültigkeitsgebiet: Bundesweit
When starting a business, you will find information here on procedures, formalities, and approvals that you need to consider.
Starting a business
What declarations, registrations, and applications are required for approval by the competent authorities?
The necessary declarations and applications required for starting a business vary depending on the industry, legal form, and federal state. In principle, any person who wishes to start an independent business, open a branch office, or establish a dependent branch must notify the must report to the local competent trade office according to Section 14 paragraph 1 of the Trade Regulations Act. You can check whether your project is exempt from this regulation Section 6 GewO extract.
As soon as you have established your company at Trade Office have displayed, your data will be transmitted to the Tax office forwarded. If you want to work as a freelancer and are subject to notification requirements, you must yourself a Tax identification number at the tax office apply. Further information can be obtained from your locally responsible tax office. In both cases, you will subsequently receive a questionnaire for tax registration.
If you want to employ people subject to social security contributions in your company, you need a Company number. You can use these online at the Federal Employment Agency apply for.
Further information on the relevant documents, proofs, and registration procedures for your project can be found on the Administrative portal of the federal state, in which you wish to found your company. Alternatively, the application can be submitted via the Single Point of Contact of the respective federal state.
What requirements apply for admission to a register, list, database, professional association, or organization?
Whether you need to have your company registered in a register, a trade association or similar depends on industry regulated differently. Further information on this can be found in the common State register portal take. There you will find the commercial, Cooperative and partnership registers of all federal states.
Where can you find the contact details of the competent authorities as well as the points of single contact established by the Services Directive?
The contact details of the competent authorities can Federal state administration portal, in which you wish to found your company, can be taken. You can submit the registration online via the Point of Single Contact process. You can find an overview of all Points of Single Contact under „Further Information“.
Are there further help and support for starting a business, such as associations or assistance services, or even step-by-step guides?
Concrete information as well as an overview of the documents to be submitted and incurred costs to register your company, you can use the administrative portals of the federal states Information can also be obtained via the Points of Single Contact.
Furthermore, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy provides with a business startup portal comprehensive information and assistance, including on the choice of legal form and financing, are available to founders.
Detailed information can also be found on the pages of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. For example, the IHK Berlin provides a„Roadmap for incorporation“. The Chambers of Industry and Commerce offer, in addition to advisory services, also Seminars for founders.
Who must be notified if the names, company name, or private or business address are to be changed?
One Change of business name is activity not subject to notification according to Section 14 paragraph 1 of the Trade Regulations Act.
Relocation of operations are on the other hand reportable and must therefore be reported in accordance with Section 14 (1) of the German Trade Regulation Act (GewO). If the new business address remains in the previous municipality or city, a Business re-registration out. If the Move is carried out in another city or municipality, the business must first be deregistered at the previous location in order to be re-registered at the new location with the local trade office. newly registered to become.
For entrepreneurs registered in the commercial register, there are Additional registration requirements with the Commercial Register, which concern the registered office and the domestic business address of a company. Regardless of the specific legal form, for a relocation of a shareholder or managing director to report the change of residence to the Commercial Register in a notarized form.
The new Business address must also be reported to the following public agencies:
What licenses, permits, and notifications are required to engage in various types of activities?
What legal remedies are available in the event of a dispute with the competent authorities, with customers, or between companies?
Appeals may be filed against agency decisions within one month of the issuance of the administrative act Objection to be filed in accordance with Section 70 VwGO.
In the event of disputes with other companies or with customers, you can contact civil litigation proceedings can be used.
Where can you find the contact details of associations or organizations that offer practical help?
The Chambers of Industry and Commerce provide information on many areas of law relevant to businesses. This is especially true for small and medium-sized enterprises without a specialized legal department are these IHK services an important support.
How much does it cost to register or re-register a business?
The costs that may arise in the course of registering or re-registering a company vary between the individual countries. Further information on this can be found on the administrative portals. Also for the Registration in the register and directories can incur costs. These also vary, for example, due to the Company size.
You must register your business immediately at the time of company formation. A fine may be imposed for late notification.
Anyone who begins operating an established business, a branch office, or a dependent branch on a self-employed basis must notify the competent authority simultaneously notification pursuant to section 14 paragraph 1 of the German Trade Regulation Act (GewO).
BMWK Startup Portal:
Single Point of Contact:
Joint Register Portal of the German States:
Overview of the DGUV trade associations:
A moving checklist is provided by the Berlin IHK at:
This support service assists you in exercising your rights and fulfilling your obligations within the European Single Market.
