Tyche in Germany
We already have an established network of contacts in Germany for creating and directing temporary companies, as well as for external CFO support.
The path to creating a GmbH in Germany, step by step
These timelines assume a complete file (ID documents, supporting evidence, governance decisions made): an incomplete file is the single most common cause of delay, ahead of the administrative timelines themselves. Once the file is genuinely complete, expect generally 5 to 10 weeks for the legal process itself.
Minimum share capital: €25,000 (UG variant: a symbolic €1 is possible).
Project scoping & complete file
Gathering ID documents, mandate, governance decisions and choice of bank — the essential groundwork for the legal timelines below to actually start running.
Notarial deed
The incorporation deed must be executed in German before a notary (video-conference possible since 2022); a sworn interpreter is required if the founder does not speak German.
Commercial register filing
The registration court (Handelsregister) enters the company after receiving the notarial deed.
Opening the bank account
The main friction point for a non-resident founder: 1–2 weeks with a neobank (Qonto, Kontist...), 4–8 weeks for a branch appointment at Commerzbank/Deutsche Bank.
Capital release
Share capital is released and the company becomes fully operational once the account is confirmed.
Safety margin — opening the bank account
On top of the legal timelines above, allow one week of banking margin: KYC checks, extra documentation or a branch appointment can extend account opening, particularly for a non-resident director.
VAT
| Taux | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 19% | |
| Reduced rates | 7% | food (including on-site restaurant meals since 2026), books, press, local transport, accommodation |
Corporate tax
15% (Körperschaftsteuer) + municipal trade tax (Gewerbesteuer, base rate 3.5% multiplied by a municipal factor of 200%–900%) — effective total burden generally 30–33%.
Is a visa required?
No for an EU/EEA national. A non-EU national can act as managing director without a permanent residence permit, but needs an economically-purposed residence permit to relocate to Germany to run the business.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation, the bank and the relevant authority. We confirm the precise timeline with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Opening a bank account
Is presence in Germany required?
The deed can be signed by video-conference via the federal notarial system. The main presence constraint concerns the bank account, faster with an online bank than a traditional one.
Observed timeframe to open the account
1 to 2 weeks with a neobank (Qonto, Kontist) versus 4-8 weeks for a branch appointment at Commerzbank or Deutsche Bank — the most frequent friction point for a non-resident founder.
Share capital deposit
Minimum share capital: €25,000 (UG variant: a symbolic €1 is possible).
Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register
Every director or shareholder must be declared as an Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) in the national register — a requirement stemming from EU anti-money-laundering directives (or equivalent standards outside the EU). Bank scrutiny is heightened in two situations common among international clients: when a shareholder or director is a US citizen or US tax resident (FATCA then imposes extra reporting obligations on the bank, which can slow down or complicate account opening); and when a shareholder is based in an African country rated higher-risk by the FATF (extra proof of the origin of funds, longer KYC validation times). We anticipate this with you from the initial assessment if your structure involves such profiles.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Selling on-site and clearing customs
Securing a premises or retail location
Commercial lease, a trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung) with the local Gewerbeamt, and registration with the chamber of commerce and industry (IHK).
On-site sales & till
A technical security device (TSE) has been mandatory on every electronic till since 2020 (Kassensicherungsverordnung), guaranteeing sales data cannot be altered.
Cash register suppliers
- SumUp
- Zettle (PayPal)
- Flatpay
- Lightspeed
- Shopify POS
Payment providers for small businesses
- Stripe
- Mollie
- Adyen
- PayPal Business
- Worldline
Indicative, non-exhaustive list of examples of solutions present on the local market — availability and terms change quickly; we help you select the best-suited offer during the assessment of your project.
Customs & ATA carnet
To exhibit or sell equipment at a trade fair, the ATA carnet allows temporary import of goods — professional equipment, samples, stand fittings — without advancing customs duties or import VAT, provided they are re-exported within the allotted period (generally 12 months, sometimes 6 months for fair equipment). The carnet is issued by the chamber of commerce in the country of departure and recognised across the international network of ATA Convention countries, a network that covers Germany.
Importing products from outside the European Union
To import goods from a non-EU country (China, the US, etc.), an EORI number is essential for any customs procedure. Customs duties depend on the tariff code (combined nomenclature) and the product's origin; import VAT is then due at the rate applicable in the destination country, generally recoverable if the business is VAT-registered. Depending on trade agreements in force, some products benefit from reduced or zero duties on presentation of a certificate of origin. The competent authority for these procedures is Federal Customs Administration (Zoll).
On-site consumer rules
A sale concluded in person at a stand during a trade fair that is not your usual place of business is generally classed as an "off-premises" contract under the EU Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU): the customer then has a 14-day right of withdrawal, subject to exceptions (personalised, perishable or sealed goods). This principle, harmonised across the EU/EEA, applies in Germany — we check the local details with you based on your sales activity.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.