Start a business in Germany, with an experienced guide who speaks your language.
You have the idea and the drive. What you may not have is a map of how founding works in Germany: which office first, which form, which plan, which funding. We walk the route with you in English, step by step, from first idea to first customers.
- Englishconsultations and documents
- Onlineanywhere in Germany
- Over 100founders supported
The typical route, in seven steps.
Every situation is different, but most international founders go through these steps. We help you put them in the right order for your case.
- 01
Check your residence status
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can usually start straight away. Everyone else needs a residence permit that allows self-employment.
- 02
Freelancer or trade business
Germany treats liberal professions and trade businesses differently. This affects registration, taxes and chamber membership.
- 03
Choose a legal form
Sole proprietorship, partnership, UG or GmbH: liability, costs and paperwork differ a lot.
- 04
Plan and finance
A business plan and a financial plan in the form German banks and funding bodies expect.
- 05
Register
Trade office and/or tax office, depending on your activity; often also the chamber of commerce.
- 06
Set up the basics
Business bank account, health insurance, liability insurance and bookkeeping.
- 07
Launch and find customers
Pricing, positioning and your first customers in the German market.
Freelancer or trade business?
Germany distinguishes between liberal professions (Freiberufler) and trade businesses (Gewerbe). Many consultants, designers, IT specialists, doctors or teachers can work as freelancers: they register with the tax office only, do not pay trade tax and are not members of the chamber of commerce. Shops, agencies, restaurants, trading and most other businesses are trade businesses: they register with the local trade office (Gewerbeamt), may pay trade tax and are members of the chamber of commerce or crafts.
Whether your activity counts as freelance is decided by the tax office. Getting it right at the start saves trouble later. Read more in our article Freelancer or trade business in Germany?
What we do for you.
- Map the steps that apply to your situation
- Sharpen your business model for the German market
- Build your business plan and financial plan
- Explain registration and prepare you for each appointment
- Review funding options you may be eligible for
- Prepare bank meetings and documents in German if required
- Help you price and position your offer
- Support you after launch with mentoring
Where our support ends
We are not lawyers, tax advisers or immigration advisers. We support you as entrepreneurs and business consultants. For legal, tax and residence-permit questions you work with a lawyer, tax adviser or the immigration office; we help you prepare the right questions so those meetings are short and useful.
Prices.
Start with an initial consultation. Larger projects get a written quote with a fixed scope.
Initial consultation
60 minutes
Your situation, your goal, your next step: a structured session with Michael Wild, online or in person, in English.
- Review of where you stand
- Clear recommendation for your next steps
- First view on funding and financing options
€249incl. VAT
Business plan review
Review, written notes and feedback session
You have a business plan and want to know whether it convinces banks, funders or partners. We check structure, logic and plausibility.
- Structure and completeness
- Plausibility of market and offer
- Concrete points to improve
€390incl. VAT
Financial plan review
Review, written notes and feedback session
Revenue, costs, cash flow and capital needs: we check whether your numbers add up and can be defended.
- Revenue and cost assumptions
- Cash-flow and profitability planning
- Capital needs and financing
€490incl. VAT
Complete business plan
depending on scope
From idea to finished business plan with financial plan, built together with you step by step.
- Business model, market and competition
- Marketing, sales and organisation
- Complete financial plan
from €2,900incl. VAT
Official sources worth bookmarking.
Rules and programmes change. Always check the current conditions with the responsible authority:
- Make it in Germany (opens in a new tab): the Federal Government's portal for international professionals and entrepreneurs
- Existenzgründungsportal (opens in a new tab): the Federal Ministry's start-up portal (in German)
- ELSTER (opens in a new tab): the tax office's online portal, used to register with the tax office
- Federal Employment Agency (opens in a new tab): information on the start-up grant and vouchers
- Förderdatenbank (opens in a new tab): the federal database of funding programmes (in German)
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a business in Germany?
Check your residence status, decide whether you are a freelancer or a trade business, choose a legal form, prepare a business plan and financing, and register with the trade office and/or tax office. Then set up a bank account, insurance and bookkeeping. The order matters; we map it for your case in the initial consultation.
Can foreigners start a business in Germany?
Yes, in many cases. Citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland generally can. Citizens of other countries need a residence permit that allows self-employment; the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) decides. Clarify this before you register a business.
Do I need to speak German?
Not for working with us. Many authorities, banks and contracts operate in German, though. We prepare you for those situations and, where needed, help you with German documents.
How long does registration take?
Registering a sole proprietorship or freelance business can be done within days. A UG or GmbH needs a notary and an entry in the commercial register, which usually takes longer. Planning and financing typically take more time than the registration itself.
What funding is available?
Depending on your situation: the start-up grant for people receiving unemployment benefit, coaching funded by a voucher, low-interest loans from KfW and regional development banks, and regional grants. See funding options.
What does it cost to work with you?
The introductory call (20 minutes) is free. The initial consultation takes 60 minutes and costs €249 incl. VAT. Business plan and financial plan reviews have fixed prices; see pricing.
Your next step in Germany starts with a conversation.
Business idea, registration or a decision you are stuck on: we talk it through and tell you honestly how we can help.
