What starting up really costs,
down to the euro.
Pick your legal form and residency status — we add up every authority fee, notary bill and the share capital you must deposit.
Type
Legal form
Residency
One-off fees — paid to authorities & notaries
- Apply for your §21 self-employment residence permit (D-visa from abroad)€100–€110
- Notarise the formation€160–€950
- Open the account & deposit capital€0–€30
- Commercial-register entry€150
- File GewA 1 (Gewerbeanmeldung)€10–€65
Optional professional help
Free if you do them yourself
- · Register your home address
- · Decide structure & share capital
- · Draft the articles of association
- · Create your ELSTER account
- · File the Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung
- · Receive your Steuernummer
- · Receive your VAT ID (USt-IdNr.)
- · Register for accident insurance
- · Apply for an employer number (Betriebsnummer)
Your all-in estimate — UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
Legal minimum is €1, but founding with a few hundred euros avoids instant over-indebtedness — formation costs are paid by the company.
The share capital stays yours — it becomes the company's working money, not a fee.
Cash breakdown
Capital is shown beside fees because it must be available before registration, but it stays in the company.
Ongoing costs to budget
- Register beneficial owners~€19.80/year
Typical ranges — actual fees vary by city, notary and capital. These fees are paid directly to authorities and notaries, not to ExpatBusiness.de.
Figures are typical ranges compiled from official fee schedules and practice — they are informational only, not legal or tax advice. Recurring costs such as health insurance, bookkeeping and IHK membership depend on your situation and are listed as orientation.
Numbers look manageable?
Turn the estimate into a plan — generate your personalised setup roadmap, or talk the budget through with an advisor.