How much does it cost to form a GmbH in Germany in 2026?
For a standard GmbH (€25,000 share capital, one founder, template deed) the official third-party costs run roughly €690 to €1,006, made up of the notary, the €225 commercial register fee, and the trade office fee. A foreign founder who also needs bilingual signing or a sworn interpreter, plus certified translation of foreign documents, typically lands between about €975 and €2,406. These figures exclude the share capital and any advisory fee.
How much does it cost to form a UG?
A UG on the template route with one shareholder runs roughly €490 to €706 in official costs at a modest starting capital, notary plus court plus trade office. Custom articles, needed once there is more than one managing director or more than three shareholders, push the notary fee up and the total closer to €1,090 to €1,656.
Do I have to pay the 25,000 euro share capital as a fee?
No. The €25,000 is your own money inside the company, not a cost. At least half of it, minimum €12,500, has to sit in the company account before the notary files with the commercial register. It stays yours and you use it to run the business.
Why do foreign founders pay more than German founders?
Three things add up: language (a sworn interpreter or bilingual signing), paperwork (certified translation and an apostille or consular legalization for documents issued abroad), and sometimes a registered business address if you are not moving to Germany. None of this applies to a German founder with German-language documents.
How much are notary costs for a GmbH formation?
For a €25,000 GmbH with one shareholder, the template deed runs about €450 to €750 and custom articles run about €950 to €1,500. The fee is set by a national schedule and is the same at every notary in Germany, so it does not change with the city.
What does the commercial register entry cost?
The register entry is a fixed public fee of €225 for a cash formation, paid once, alongside the notary and trade office fees.
What does a sworn interpreter at the notary cost?
Expect roughly €350 to €700 per appointment for an English-speaking interpreter. Other languages can run higher, and interpreters need to be booked ahead of the notary date.
What is bilingual signing, and does it cost more?
Bilingual signing means the deed is executed in German and English side by side, so no interpreter is needed. It adds about 30 percent to the notary fee, which for many foreign founders still comes out cheaper than the notary fee plus a separate interpreter booking.
What does a certified translation or apostille of foreign documents cost?
For documents issued in a country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, expect roughly €150 to €700 including courier. For documents from a country outside that convention, consular legalization instead of an apostille typically runs €250 to €1,050.
Can I use the Musterprotokoll, or do I need custom articles?
The template (Musterprotokoll) works with exactly one managing director and at most three shareholders. Two or more managing directors, or four or more shareholders, move the formation to custom articles, which cost more at the notary but fit more setups.
Which German city is cheapest for forming a company?
Notary and court fees are identical everywhere in Germany. The only cost that moves meaningfully with the city is the trade office registration, from about €15 in Berlin to about €65 in some smaller cities, and a registered address service if you use one.
Is a GmbH or a UG cheaper to form?
A UG is cheaper to form: it needs no minimum capital beyond a nominal amount and the template notary fee is lower than a GmbH at the same route. A GmbH needs €25,000 in registered capital. Many UG founders later convert to a GmbH, which means a second round of notary and register costs.
Do I need a registered business address, and what does it cost?
Every German company needs a registered address (Sitz). If you already have a suitable office or use your own address, there is no extra cost. A market-rate address service, useful if you are not relocating, runs roughly €350 to €1,900 per year depending on the city. It is optional and shown separately from the one-time formation cost.
Is this calculator free, and do I need to leave my email?
Yes, it is free and the estimate is fully visible without leaving any contact details. An email is only needed if you choose to request a personalized quote at the end.
Are these figures S&S Consult's prices?
No. Every figure in this calculator is a third-party cost: the notary, the court, the trade office, translators, interpreters, and address service providers. Our advisory fee is separate and quoted individually after a short call.
