Navigation

Non-EU citizen: starting a UG company?

Frage

Just a quick question regarding UG's for Non-EU citizens; I was wondering if it is possible to have a German UG company if you decide to move outside of Germany and hold a Visa in another country within EU?

Antwort

Anyone can establish a business in Germany - irrespective of nationality or place of residence. There is no specific investment legislation in Germany, nor is a minimum percentage of German shareholdings required for foreign entrepreneurs.

The Mini-GmbH (Unternehmergesellschaft UG, haftungsbeschränkt) is not a separate legal form of company, but a GmbH which has a minimum capital of less than EUR 25,000 and where cash subscription is required. This means that it is possible to set up a company with limited liability in Germany with capital of only EUR 1.00.
Except for some specific provisions the GmbH - by terms of law - is generally subject to the same duties and rights as the standard GmbH.
The formation procedure of a GmbH is fairly uncomplicated, as it is established by the founding shareholder(s) executing a deed of formation and articles of association in the presence of a notary.

For more information regarding business establishment and visa requirements, please see:
www.gtai.de/establishing-a-company
www.gtai.de/visas-for-setting-up-business

Source: Germany Trade and Invest
- Gesellschaft für Außenwirtschaft und Standortmarketing mbH
July 2016

Notice from the editor:

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) offers some English publications:

Lawyers and notaries provide assistance, for example, in matters related to legal structure and contract issues etc.
The addresses of lawyers and notaries can be found here:

Hotline 030-340 60 65 60 Für allgemeine Fragen
Montag bis Donnerstag: 8:00 - 18:00 Uhr
Freitag: 8:00 - 12:00 Uhr
nach oben