You must register your business whenever you start an established business. An "established business" refers to a business with a permanent place of business from which or within which the business is conducted. This is the case if you:

• establish a new business,
• establish a new branch office,
• establish a new dependent branch office,
• take over an existing business, for example through purchase or lease,
• convert a sole proprietorship into a different legal form,
• transfer a business from the jurisdiction of one government agency to that of another

You must register your business at the same time you begin operations.

The following are exempt from business registration:

• Primary production businesses, that is:
  • Livestock farming
  • Crop farming
  • Hunting
  • Forestry
  • Fishing
• Liberal professions
• Management of personal assets

The registration must be completed by the following persons or their authorized representatives:

• for sole proprietorships: by the business owner
• for legal entities: by the legal representatives; this applies, for example, to limited liability companies (GmbH) and corporations (AG) 
• for partnerships: by all partners authorized to manage the business this applies, for example, to general partnerships (OHG), limited partnerships with share capital (KG), civil law partnerships (GbR), and limited liability companies and limited partnerships (GmbH & Co. KG)

The purpose of business registration is to enable the competent authorities to monitor the conduct of business and to conduct statistical surveys.

You must register your business immediately upon commencement of operations. A fine may be imposed for late registration.

If all the information and documents are complete, you will receive a receipt

• if you apply in person: immediately
• For written or online applications: within 3 days

Required documents

• Printed and completed business registration form
• Copy of ID card or residence permit for non-EU citizens (front and back) or copy of passport along with a current registration certificate (not older than three months)

For skilled trades

• Proof of registration in the trade register

For companies registered in the Commercial Register (Local Court)

• Printed and completed business registration form
• Copies of the management’s ID cards
• Copy of the commercial register entry

For dependent branches

• Printed and completed business registration form
• Copies of the ID cards of all managing directors
• Copy of the commercial register entry for the main branch (if registered with the local court)
• Business registration of the main branch

 In the case of representation of the business owner or managing director

• Written power of attorney
• Original ID of the principal (+ copy of front and back)
• Original ID of the agent (+ copy of front and back)
• Original residence permit for non-EU citizens (+ copy of front and back)

Note: A driver’s license, health insurance card, or similar documents are not sufficient and will not be accepted. You must present an ID card, residence permit, or passport along with a certificate of registration!

By bank transfer after receiving a fee notice.

Please indicate the subject matter of the contract as stated in the fee notice.