Company formation & legal forms
Guides on choosing a legal form and setting up your company — from sole proprietorship to GmbH, UG and beyond.

What is a UG (haftungsbeschränkt)?
What is a UG (haftungsbeschränkt)? How to set one up from 1 euro of share capital, what the reserve obligation means and when a GmbH suits you better.
Read
Legal form of a Kleingewerbe: which one do you actually have?
A Kleingewerbe is not a legal form of its own. Which legal form sits behind it, what belongs in Elster and in the Anlage EÜR, and how it differs from Kleinunternehmer status.
Read
GbR or GmbH: which legal form fits your plan?
GbR or GmbH? What a GbR means, what setting one up costs, how liability works and when a GmbH pays off. With a comparison table.
Read
GmbH meaning: what is a GmbH? Simply explained
What does GmbH mean and what does the abbreviation stand for? Here you learn what a GmbH is, how it works, who is liable and which requirements apply.
Read
GmbH liability: who is liable in a German GmbH?
Who is liable in a GmbH? When shareholders and managing directors answer personally, and what role company assets and private assets play.
Read
How to set up an association (Verein) in Germany: the complete 2026 guide
How to set up an association (Verein) in Germany: step-by-step guide to the statutes, founding meeting, register of associations, costs and charitable status in 2026.
Read
How to Start a Startup in Germany: The Complete Guide for 2026
How to start a startup in Germany: a step-by-step guide to your business idea, legal form, financing, taxes and business account for 2026.
Read
How to Set Up a GbR in Germany: The Complete 2026 Guide
Planning to set up a GbR? Learn everything about requirements, costs, taxes, registration and the advantages of the German civil law partnership.
Read
Setting up a German stock corporation (AG)
Setting up an AG: requirements, starting capital, liability and the formation process of the stock corporation, plus its key advantages and tips for founders.
Read