Getting Familiar With The Features Of Forming A Company In Germany
Germany is one of the leading
economies of the world, which is why it is not really surprising that the
country is known to attract significant foreign investment as well as business.
Being the second largest importer in the world, Germany offers a huge scope for
trading which make it a great destination for setting up a business. In
addition, the fact that the economic opportunities are scattered across
different regions within the country, further makes it a preferred choice for
investors seeking an opportunity for forming
a company in Germany. However, before starting the process of
establishing their business in the country, it is essential for the aspiring
entrepreneurs to familiar with the below discussed key aspects of this process.
A
Basic Overview Of Company Formation
The German law provides for the
established of different types of companies within the country. These are
primarily categorized as limited companies, joint companies and other types of
companies. There are five main types of companies that can be formed by
investors within the provisions of the law. These are explained in brief as follows.
German
UG : This type of
company is similar to an English Ltd company and is often referred to as “mini
GmbH”. This is the most popular choice for setting new businesses and can be
established with a capital investment of just €1 and the formation of such companies can be completed
within a period of one week.
German AG –
Joint Stock Company : This type of
company is generally formed by large businesses and publically traded
companies. Formation of an AG company requires a minimal investment of €500 and
while the company is managed by a board of directors, a separate board is set
up to supervise them. It is also mandatory for an Ag company to get its
accounts audited by a registered auditor.
German KG –
Limited Partnership : A KG type
company is generally formed with the collaboration of two or more
partners. The parnerts can be either
silent or active and while silent partners can be held liable only for the
capital invested, the active partners are responsible for every business
activity. However, the silent partners do not have any say in the day-to-day
working of the business.
German GmbH : This
type of company is also known as a private limited liability company and is the
most preferred type of company in Germany. The capital required for forming
a GmbH in Germany can be brought in the form of cash or assets. The
value of the underlying assets brought into the company must be presented in
the company articles of association. However, the shares of such companies
cannot be listed on the stock markets and the shares may not be traded
publicly. The day-to-day decisions of such companies are made by the corporate
director, who is appointed by the meeting of shareholders.
Comments
Post a Comment