GmbH . UG . AG . GmbH & Co. KG. Year 1 from EUR 3.500,00 inc. notary + Handelsregister fees. CorpSec Germany.
Six standard forms cover almost every German incorporation. GmbH is the default for an operating company; UG is the EUR 1-capital starter; AG suits stock-corporation governance; GmbH & Co. KG layers a GmbH GP on a KG partnership.
The default German operating company. Minimum Stammkapital EUR 25.000 (half paid up at registration). Limited liability under GmbHG.
Mini-GmbH with EUR 1 minimum capital. Must accumulate 25% of yearly profits in a statutory reserve until it reaches the GmbH Stammkapital threshold (GmbHG §5a).
Stock corporation under AktG. Minimum Grundkapital EUR 50.000, mandatory Vorstand + Aufsichtsrat governance.
Limited partnership with a GmbH as general partner. Combines tax transparency (KG) with limited liability (GmbH GP).
Sole proprietor. No statutory capital, no Handelsregister entry unless trade size triggers HGB §1. Founder is personally liable.
Branch of a foreign parent company, registered with the Handelsregister under HGB §13d. Parent remains the legal entity.