The external costs at a glance
These amounts arise in every UG or GmbH formation, whoever supports you. Court and administrative fees carry no VAT. Notary fees and expenses carry 19 % VAT.
| Item | Basis | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial register, registration | GV 2100 HRegGebV, since 1 June 2025 | €225 |
| Commercial register, provision of data | GV 6000 HRegGebV, one third of the registration fee | €75 |
| Trade registration in Reutlingen | City of Reutlingen fee bylaw, no. 1.2.1.1 | €35 to €70 |
| Transparency register, annual fee | TrGebV annex no. 1, from fee year 2024 | €19.80 per year |
| Notary | GNotKG, depends on capital, number of founders and articles | see examples |
| IHK name check | depends on the chamber, often free (estimate) | €0 to €60 |
Three examples, computed with the calculator
Notary fees under the GNotKG, net, without expenses and without the optional transparency register notice. Court fees of €300 and the trade registration come on top.
| Case | Notary fees, net | One-off external, net (range) |
|---|---|---|
| GmbH, €25,000 capital, one founder, model protocol | €220.50 | €559.50 to €745.50 |
| GmbH, €25,000 capital, two founders, individual articles | €362.50 | €701.50 to €950 |
| UG, €1,000 capital, one founder, model protocol | €130 | €469 to €655 |
The range comes from expenses, the optional transparency register notice by the notary, a possible completion fee with individual articles, the trade registration fee and a possible IHK fee. Without tax registration by an adviser and without costs for documents from abroad. A deed notarised in English adds 30 % to the notarisation fee, for example €34.50 in the first case.
The share capital sits alongside
Share capital is not a fee. A GmbH needs at least €25,000, of which at least €12,500 must be paid in before filing. A UG is possible from €1; its capital must be paid in full and in cash before filing, and 25 % of each annual surplus goes into a reserve. A low minimum capital does not replace adequate financing. More on the UG or GmbH page.
What is not included
- Our own support: quote on request via contact
- The business address: booked separately as Business address (€69), Business address Digital (€99) or Business address International (€149), each net per month plus VAT
- Legal and tax advice, tax on profits, salaries, insurance, rent
Which legal form suits your project depends on liability, capital needs and goals. See German company legal forms for an overview, and Start a company in Germany for all formation topics.
Questions about formation costs
Is the share capital a formation fee?
No. You pay the share capital into the company’s own account; it remains the company’s money and may be used for the business. For a GmbH at least one quarter of each share and €12,500 in total must be paid in before filing (§ 7(2) GmbHG). For a UG the chosen capital must be paid in full and in cash before filing (§ 5a(2) GmbHG).
Why does a formation with two shareholders cost more at the notary?
A single founder makes a one-sided declaration at a 1.0 fee rate (KV 21200 GNotKG). From two founders it is a contract at a 2.0 rate (KV 21100). That one item doubles; the other items stay the same.
What does the model protocol save?
With the model protocol (§ 2(1a) GmbHG) the notary uses the actual share capital as the value (§ 105(6), § 107(1) GNotKG). With individual articles a minimum value of €30,000 applies. The model protocol fits up to three shareholders and exactly one managing director and leaves little room for individual terms. Whether it suits you is a question for the notary or a lawyer.
Has the commercial register fee gone up?
Yes. Registering a GmbH or UG costs €225 under GV 2100 HRegGebV since 1 June 2025, previously €150. The fee for providing the register data under GV 6000 is added, one third of that, so €75. Court fees carry no VAT.
Are these amounts binding?
No. The calculator is a planning aid. Notary fees follow the GNotKG, but further items can arise depending on the process. Ask your notary for a cost preview in advance. Items marked as estimates are ranges.
What does support from Business Center Reutlingen cost?
Our fee depends on the scope and complexity of your project. You receive an individual quote before you instruct us. We provide organisational and administrative support and coordinate with the notary, bank, tax adviser and other parties. Legal and tax advice is given by licensed professionals.
Sources and date
Gerichts- und Notarkostengesetz (GNotKG), § 34 and annex 2 table B (BGBl. 2025 I no. 109), annex 1 schedule of costs, §§ 105 to 107: gesetze-im-internet.de/gnotkg, accessed 6 November 2026
Handelsregistergebührenverordnung, schedule GV 2100, 2101, 6000 (amended by the 3rd HRegGebVÄndV of 30 April 2025, BGBl. 2025 I no. 127, in force since 1 June 2025): gesetze-im-internet.de/hreggebv/anlage.html, accessed 6 November 2026
Transparenzregistergebührenverordnung, annex no. 1: gesetze-im-internet.de/trgebv_2020/anlage.html, accessed 6 November 2026
City of Reutlingen, Verwaltungsgebührensatzung SR 9.20 (last amended 26 October 2023), no. 1.2.1.1: reutlingen.de, Stadtrecht 9.20, accessed 6 November 2026
GmbHG §§ 2, 5, 5a, 7: gesetze-im-internet.de/gmbhg
Broadcasting contribution for businesses: rundfunkbeitrag.de, 2026 rate
Notary logic additionally checked against our own notary invoices for formations. Tax adviser (lower levels): quote from a German tax practice; other ranges: our own estimate.