I am a British person now living in Germany, looking to set up my own e-commerce business. I am looking for guidance on what registrations I must make and any other key considerations, for example relating to selling/shipping products to the UK, or within mainland Europe. Can you advise which forms and registrations I should take?
Thank you for your inquiry and your interest in setting up a business in Germany. We will gladly give you more information.
www.make-it-in-germany.com provides international professionals with information on working and living in Germany. Detailed information on setting up a business are also available on “Make it in Germany”: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/visa-for-self-employment
First of all, as a citizen of the European Union you are free to start up your own business. In Germany, there are two ways of setting up a business: You are either self-employed (“Gewerbetreibender”) or you are a freelancer (“Freiberufler”). You do not get a choice in this matter - it depends on your profession. Being self-employed or a freelancer makes a difference with regard to certain formalities and also has an impact in your company’s legal structure. Read more about the two ways of setting up a business: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/ways-of-setting-up-your-business#self-employed-or-freelance
Germany supports entrepreneurs with a number of funding programs. Most of these funding programs consist of public loans, which offer you better conditions with regard to their interest, loan periods and repayment terms. In order to apply for such funding, your place of residence and your company’s operations must be located in Germany. On “Make it in Germany” you will find more information on financing and funding: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/financing-and-funding#funding-programmes
Each business has its own legal structure (http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/ways-of-setting-up-your-business#legal-structures). The legal structure provides a framework for dealing with legal matters. The decision on the legal structure of your business has significant implications - it will for example determine how much equity you need and whether you are personally liable for your business. Before you choose a legal form for your business, it may make sense to consult a lawyer or tax advisor. You can also turn to information centers for entrepreneurs.
On the Startup Portal, under “advice and information”, you will find the contact information of regional and national information centers for entrepreneurs with a migrant background (https://www.existenzgruender.de/DE/Service/Beratung-Adressen/Linksammlung/Gruender-innen-Migrationshintergrund/inhalt.html). A general contact list is available on the Startup Portal (http://www.existenzgruender.de/DE/Weg-in-die-Selbstaendigkeit/Entscheidung/Beratung/Beratung-finden/inhalt.htm). Similarly, the Authority Finder will also tell you about your nearest information center (http://www.existenzgruender.de/EN/Die-ersten-Schritte/Beratung-Information/inhalt.html).
Step by step information regarding setting up a business in Germany are available on the website "Make it in Germany”: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-Germany
Moreover: As you are operating in Germany, a good knowledge of German will be advantageous. Even as you prepare your business, you will find that many official documents are available in German only. If your German is not good enough yet, you should make sure to take a language course before you set up your business. Some advanced courses have a special focus on the business world: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/training-learning/the-german-language
Source: Justina Alichniewicz
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
März 2018
