Forming a GmbH in Berlin: A Checklist of Every Office

Forming a GmbH in Berlin takes nine steps: checking the name, setting the seat, signing the notarized articles of association, paying in share capital, registration at the Charlottenburg local court, the transparency register, trade registration at the district office, tax registration via ELSTER, and registering with the accident insurance association. With all the paperwork ready, this usually takes two to four weeks. A UG follows the same process, just with less share capital.

General formation guides are everywhere. This checklist is specific to Berlin: which court, which office, which tax office, and exactly where the address matters.

The checklist at a glance

| Step | What | Where in Berlin | |---|---|---| | 1 | Check the company name | IHK Berlin, commercial register online | | 2 | Set the seat and business address | own premises or a rented business address | | 3 | Notarize the articles of association | notary, in person or by video | | 4 | Pay in share capital | business bank account | | 5 | Commercial register entry | Charlottenburg local court (via the notary) | | 6 | Transparency register | online, Bundesanzeiger Verlag | | 7 | Register the trade | district office of the company seat, online possible | | 8 | Tax registration | tax office for corporations, via ELSTER | | 9 | Accident insurance association | depends on industry |

Step 1: check the company name

Your GmbH's legal name is called the "Firma." It has to be distinguishable and not misleading. Before your notary appointment, it's worth checking the commercial register for whether the name already exists in Berlin. The IHK Berlin also offers a check of the proposed name.

We cover what matters for the name and business purpose in Naming your German company and defining its business activity.

Step 2: set the seat and business address

Most founders underestimate this step. The registered seat goes in the articles of association, "Berlin" in this case. The business address is the specific address entered in the commercial register.

If you don't have your own office space, you can list your home address or rent a business address. Important: decide this before your notary appointment. Any later change to the business address has to be filed with the commercial register and costs notary and registration fees.

See why a business address pays off especially during the formation phase in Starting a company without an office.

Step 3: the articles of association at the notary

A GmbH's articles of association have to be notarized. For simple formations with up to three shareholders and one managing director, the cheaper standard template (Musterprotokoll) is available. Anyone needing custom provisions, around vesting or rights of first refusal, for example, needs a bespoke agreement.

Since 2022, notarization has also been possible online via video. You don't necessarily have to show up in person at a Berlin law firm.

Step 4: pay in share capital

• GmbH: €25,000 in share capital, with at least €12,500 paid in at formation (for a cash formation)
• UG (limited liability): from €1, which must be paid in full

Payment goes into a business bank account for the company in formation. The bank typically needs the notarized deed and a business address for this, another reason to settle the address question early. More on opening an account in Opening a bank account in Germany.

Step 5: registration at the Charlottenburg local court

The Charlottenburg local court handles the commercial register for all of Berlin. The notary files the registration electronically once payment is confirmed. The GmbH only comes into existence as a legal entity upon registration; before that, you can be personally liable for business conducted in the name of the "GmbH i.G." (in formation).

Step 6: the transparency register

The GmbH has to report its beneficial owners to the transparency register, generally shareholders holding more than 25%. This is done online. Many founders forget this step, which can result in a fine.

Step 7: register the trade at the district office

Trade registration happens at the district office of whichever district your company seat sits in. With a business address on Friedrichstraße, that's the Mitte district office. Registration is possible online through Berlin's state service portal. The fee sits in the low double digits, cheaper online than in person.

The trade office then notifies the tax office and chamber of commerce, among others. For a GmbH, that makes you automatically a member of the IHK Berlin. More in Trade registration in Germany.

Step 8: tax registration via ELSTER

Within a month of starting activity, you submit the tax registration questionnaire. In Berlin, this can only be done electronically via "Mein ELSTER."

For GmbHs and UGs, Berlin's tax offices for corporations have jurisdiction, with the specific office depending on the district. For a company seated in Berlin-Mitte, that's currently the Tax Office for Corporations IV. Once processed, you receive your tax number and, if applied for, your VAT ID. Tax number, VAT ID, tax ID gives an overview of the different numbers.

Step 9: the accident insurance association

Every company has to register with its relevant accident insurance association (Berufsgenossenschaft) within a week of formation. Which one depends on your industry, and this applies even if you don't have employees (yet).

An example: formation in three weeks

Picture two founders, one from Hamburg and one from Copenhagen, forming a GmbH in Berlin for sustainable packaging. Neither lives in Berlin, and they don't need an office in year one.

In week one, they book a business address in Berlin-Mitte and have the IHK check the proposed name. They handle the notary appointment by video, each from their own laptop. In week two, they open a business account using the business address and pay in the share capital. The notary files the GmbH with the Charlottenburg local court. Once registered, they register the trade online with the Mitte district office and submit the questionnaire via ELSTER.

Letters from the registration court, the tax office, and the chamber of commerce land as scans in their app, whether they happen to be in Hamburg or Copenhagen at the time.

How Clevver helps

• Business address: a virtual office in Berlin-Mitte with a rental agreement, cleared for the commercial register and trade registration. At our own Friedrichstraße location, trained staff accept mail, including formal deliveries.
• Formation: for the actual UG or GmbH formation, Clevver connects you with specialized local partners. → Company formation
• Mail: everything that arrives after formation shows up in your digital mailbox.

FAQ

How long does forming a GmbH in Berlin take? With all paperwork ready and payment made quickly, usually two to four weeks until registration. Your tax number and trade registration can take a bit longer afterward.

Which court handles the commercial register in Berlin? The Charlottenburg local court, for every district in Berlin.

Can I form a GmbH in Berlin without living there? Yes. You need a business address in Berlin, but not a residence there. Notarization is also possible by video.

Where do I register a trade for my GmbH in Berlin? At the district office of whichever district your company seat sits in. Registration is possible online.

This checklist is a general overview (as of October 2026). Jurisdictions and fees can change. For your specific case, we recommend consulting a notary, tax advisor, or the chamber of commerce. Still have questions? → Contact us