Everything international and Indian founders ask us before they start: the steps, the documents, the bank account, the tax and VAT numbers, the EORI number, and the two places where the process quietly gets stuck. start local. THINK GLOBAL.
Notary, commercial register and trade office, calculated from the statutory fee schedules. Share capital shown separately. Our own support is quoted individually on request. For all routes into business in Germany, see Start a company in Germany.
Open the cost calculatorSetting up in Germany isn't hard, it's structured. Here's the honest overview.
The most common hurdles are the German bureaucracy and language, choosing the right legal form, opening a business bank account as a non-resident, and getting the tax and VAT numbers issued, all while doing it from abroad. Done in the right order, with the right documents, it runs smoothly; that is exactly what we handle for you, in English.
Yes. You can set up a German company remotely. You need a real German business address for the company, and a few steps (notary, opening the bank account) may require a presence in Germany, which we can handle on your behalf using a power of attorney legalised at the German embassy. You do not have to relocate to found the company.
Germany offers a stable economy, direct access to the European single market, strong legal certainty and an excellent reputation with banks and partners worldwide. A German GmbH signals credibility to customers and suppliers far beyond Germany.
Often several weeks, depending on the complexity of your setup and how quickly the bank, the register court and the tax office proceed. Nobody can promise a fixed duration. The bank account is usually the slowest step for non-residents, so it is worth starting early.
We set up the GmbH: Germany's most trusted limited-liability company.
A GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) is a limited-liability company and the most common, most credible company form in Germany. Your personal liability is limited to the company's capital, and banks, clients and authorities take it seriously.
A GmbH has €25,000 in share capital. At least €12,500 must be paid into the company's bank account before it is registered; the remainder can be called up later. The share capital is your company's own money, it stays with the company and is used to run the business, it is not a fee.
Shareholders' liability is limited to their investment in the company. Managing directors can, however, be held personally liable for certain actions, for example gross negligence or breaches of their fiduciary duties. This is general information, not legal advice.
No. Speaking German is not a legal requirement, though it helps with authorities and partners. We handle the German communication for you and provide translation, and our partners speak English. We also work in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Ukrainian and Russian.
A power of attorney lets us handle the in-person steps for you.
No. With a power of attorney you can authorise us to handle the steps that require a presence in Germany, including attending the notary appointment on your behalf, where permitted. Whether the notary and the bank accept this is decided case by case.
You sign the power of attorney and have it legalised at the German embassy or consulate in your country. With that document we can represent you at the notary and other steps, so the process continues in Germany while you stay home.
Often the real bottleneck for non-residents, so we focus on it.
Opening a German business account requires your company documents and identification. We prepare everything thoroughly and connect you with banks that work with foreign founders. Two routes usually work: a remote online business bank (opened without flying in), or an Indian bank with a branch in Germany for familiar KYC. A real business address at a real office, rather than a mailbox, can demonstrate substance and strengthen the application, but the decision is always the bank's.
Moving your share capital from India is its own project. Indian foreign-exchange rules (FEMA) apply: individuals use the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS, up to USD 250,000 per year), and outward investment into a foreign company runs through your Indian bank (the Authorised Dealer) with dedicated forms and reporting. The India-side paperwork often takes longer than the German formation itself, so plan it early, we coordinate the timing so the capital arrives exactly when the bank and notary need it.
The numbers you need before you can invoice and trade.
The Steuernummer is your company's tax number, issued by the local tax office (Finanzamt) after you submit the tax registration questionnaire (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung). You need it to issue invoices and file taxes. The questionnaire is usually prepared and filed by your tax adviser; we coordinate with them and help gather the documents.
The USt-IdNr is your VAT identification number, issued by the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt). You need it to trade VAT-free within the EU and to show on cross-border invoices. It is usually applied for together with the tax registration.
This is one of the most common surprises. The tax office can hold back the Steuernummer and especially the USt-IdNr if it cannot see genuine business activity, for a brand-new company with a foreign founder, officials sometimes ask for proof first. Have evidence of real activity ready: a signed contract or order, a first invoice or quote, a short business plan, a website and a real German address. We help you assemble this; the decision is the tax office's.
An EORI number identifies your company for customs. You need it if you import or export goods with countries outside the EU. It is issued (free of charge) by German customs, usually within a few days. We can organise the application as part of our support.
Business tax in Germany depends on the type of business, location and profit (corporate income tax, solidarity surcharge and municipal trade tax). Because your exact situation matters, we don't give tax advice, we connect you with English-speaking tax advisors (Steuerberater) from our network.
Founding a company and relocating are two separate questions, here's the overview.
The visa you need depends on your nationality and the nature of your business. Note that founding a German company does not by itself require you to move to Germany. If you do want to relocate, we provide general information and links to official sources and recommend consulting an immigration lawyer for binding advice.
We don't provide legal advice on visa applications, but we can support you with gathering the required documents, completing the application forms and providing an invitation letter where appropriate.
Generally yes, if you hold a residence permit for business purposes, family reunification is usually possible, subject to requirements such as sufficient financial resources and suitable accommodation. We can point you to the right steps and partners.
There are three separate items. External formation costs: the notary under the GNotKG, the commercial register (€225 for registration plus €75 for the provision of data since 1 June 2025) and the trade registration; the formation cost calculator computes your case. Share capital: at least €25,000 for a GmbH, of which €12,500 must be paid in before filing; it is not a fee. Our support: our fee depends on the scope and complexity of your project, and you receive an individual quote before you instruct us.
We handle the whole journey end to end: drafting your documents, coordinating the notary, the bank and share capital, the commercial-register and trade registrations, and coordination with your tax adviser on the tax, VAT and EORI registrations. We help you prepare the official forms. We do not provide legal or tax advice, in Germany only admitted lawyers (Rechtsanwälte) and tax advisors (Steuerberater) may, and we gladly connect you with our trusted network.
To start, we need: a clear digital copy (front and back) of each shareholder's and managing director's ID or passport, current residential address and contact details, your desired company name and business purpose, the number of shareholders and directors, the intended share capital and how the shares are split. We confirm the exact list in your consultation.
After formation you'll have ongoing obligations such as bookkeeping, tax filings and annual financial statements. We connect you with our trusted service providers so everything is handled correctly, and stay your presence on the ground in Germany.
Yes. We offer a real, court-valid business address and meeting rooms at our Reutlingen office, and we connect you with vetted lawyers, tax advisors and accountants, so you have everything a company needs in one place.
Arrange a consultation and we'll walk you through your steps, documents and timeline, in German, English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Ukrainian or Russian.