Gewerbe anmelden

If you want to run a business, you must register this with the competent authority. You can find out more here.

A business registration is always necessary if you start a standing business. This is the case when

• Setting up a new business,
• setting up a new branch office,
• setting up a dependent branch office,
• Takeover of an existing business, e.g. by purchase or lease,
• conversion of a sole proprietorship into another legal form,
• relocation of a business from the area of one authority to the area of another authority (counts as a discontinuation for one authority and as a new establishment for the other authority).

The business registration must be made at the same time as the start of operations.

The obligation to notify only applies if the activity is a commercial activity. Exempt from the obligation to register are, among others

• Primary production (livestock farming, agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing)
• Liberal professions (including lawyers, notaries, tax consultants, auditors, doctors, scientific, artistic and literary activities)
• Education of children for remuneration
• Teaching

The purpose of registering a trade is to enable the competent authority to monitor the exercise of the trade and to carry out statistical surveys.

The business must be registered with the following authorities

• at the competent trade office by completing the prescribed form,
• at the competent local court for entry in the commercial register (if the business is run by a fully qualified merchant - this registration must be made in writing with a notarized signature),
• at the responsible tax office in oral or written form
• with the relevant health insurance fund for workers and employees,
• with the relevant employers' liability insurance association (accident insurance provider),
• the relevant Chamber of Industry and Commerce and possibly also
• the Chamber of Crafts.

These registrations are automatically completed by registering with the trade office. However, this does not release the trader from the obligation to contact the above-mentioned authorities and public bodies.

• Completed business registration form
• Proof of identity (e.g. identity card or passport)
• In the case of electronic business registration, other means of identification are also possible (e.g. electronic ID card, De-Mail, PIN/TAN procedure).
• Notarized articles of association or extract from the commercial register, consent of the shareholders (for legal entities or partnerships)
• Declaration of consent by shareholders
• Supplement for authorized representatives

You want to run a business. Traders are natural or legal persons (public limited company, limited liability company, registered cooperative or registered association, partnership limited by shares). The following are subject to notification:

• Sole traders are sole traders,
• partnerships (e.g. OHG, GbR) the managing partners,
• KG each personally liable partner, the limited partners of a KG only if they have management authority
• corporations (e.g. GmbH, AG) the legal representative

25,00 Euro

You must register the start of a permanent business with the competent authority. The same applies to the operation of a branch office or a dependent branch.

Some commercial activities require a permit. Others are subject to supervision. Additional requirements apply to them.

Find out at an early stage what personal, financial and professional requirements you need to meet in order to be able to operate in these business areas.

You can register your business in person, in writing or electronically. Use the "Business registration" form (GewA 1) for this purpose.

If you are not registering the business yourself as a trader, but as a managing partner or legal representative, you will need a written power of attorney.

If you register your business in writing or electronically, you will receive confirmation of your business registration (the so-called "trade license") within 3 days, provided you have filled out the registration form completely and correctly. If you come in person, you will receive the confirmation directly when you register.

The responsible office will forward the business registration to other offices such as the tax office, the Chamber of Crafts or the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the registration court and the employers' liability insurance association.

If an additional permit is required for your business (e.g. security business, operation of a restaurant) and this is not available, the competent authority can prohibit the continuation of the business.

The procedure can be handled by a single point of contact.

• If you come in person: immediately
• In the case of written or electronic registration: within 3 days, provided the business registration form has been filled out completely and correctly and the required documents have been submitted.

You must register your business immediately when you set up your business. A fine may be imposed for late notification.

A business registration is always necessary when you start a standing business. This is the case when

• Setting up a new business,
• setting up a new branch office,
• setting up a dependent branch office,
• Takeover of an existing business, e.g. by purchase or lease,
• conversion of a sole proprietorship into another legal form,
• Relocation of a business from the area of one authority to the area of another authority (counts as a discontinuation for one authority and as a new establishment for the other authority).
• Responsible: The trade licensing office of the district, independent city or city belonging to the district in whose jurisdiction the business is to be based.

The business registration must be made at the same time as the start of operations.

To the trade office of the district, independent city or city belonging to the district in whose jurisdiction your business is to be based.

Chambers of industry and commerce, chambers of skilled trades, districts, independent cities, the responsible local authorities or administrations of independent municipalities will support you in registering your business. The procedure can be handled via the Single Point of Contact network.