All information on founding a company

Which documents are required when founding a company depends on whether the company is to be founded by a natural person or a legal entity.

Natural person:

• Passport
• Share capital for the GmbH: EUR 25,000 plus fees

Legal entity:

• Original extract from the commercial register of the parent company with certified translation
• Declaration of intent of the owners (shareholders) to establish a company in Hamburg, with the name of the future managing director
• Possible authorisation of a representative to take over the share capital of the new company if not all shareholders come to Hamburg
• Share capital for the GmbH: EUR 25,000 plus fees

There is no generally valid statement as to which form of company is best suited to your project and your business start-up. Rather, it must always be based on the needs of each individual case. In most cases, however, the GmbH is the most favourable legal form for foreign company founders. This company form is therefore also chosen by most foreign investors for their establishment in Germany. The main advantage of the GmbH is that the liability of the company is limited to the share capital. This capital amounts to at least EUR 25,000 and must be at least half paid up when the company is founded. The share capital can later be utilised in full to make necessary investments and is therefore not blocked. Every GmbH requires a German business address and is entered in the commercial register.

For companies that have not yet maintained any business relations with Germany, a dependent representative office is often a sensible and above all inexpensive alternative, e.g. to explore the German market. However, it should be noted that no direct business transactions may be concluded, only information and advice may be offered. Legally effective actions may only be carried out by the parent company in the home country.

We will assist you with the necessary formalities.

Business premises are required to start operating your company in Hamburg. This can be

• an office
• a residential office
• a workplace in a business centre or a co-working space or
• Commercial premises/space

commercial space. We help you with your search with our property service.

In Germany, there are different types of residence permits, which are differentiated according to the duration of the stay and the intended (business) activity in Germany. These include

Visa (Schengen visa and national visa)

A visa allows people to stay in Germany for a certain period of time. There is both the Schengen visa, which is valid for short-term stays in Germany and other Schengen countries, and the national visa, which is issued for longer stays in Germany.

Residence permit

A residence permit is issued to people who wish to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days. It can be issued for various purposes, such as work, study or family reunification.

Settlement permit:

The settlement permit is an unlimited residence title granted to people who have been living in Germany for a long time and fulfil certain requirements. With the settlement permit, you can settle permanently in Germany and have far-reaching rights.

We will help you with all the steps or put you in touch with the right people to talk to.

The team at the Hamburg Welcome Centre provides free advice on the topics of working, studying, living and family. The staff are happy to answer questions about everyday life in Hamburg and help with information brochures.