Starting a Business

Offering services in Germany may require the establishment of a company within the country. The freedom of settlement assures that business people from EU Member States can start up business anywhere within the European Union. Nevertheless, especially for small and medium sized enterprises (SME) establishing a company in a foreign country under different conditions remains a challenge and may require further assistance.

Besides the Points of Single Contact, many public investment promotion agencies and start-up centers in Germany offer basic information and services in English and other languages.

Startup Portal of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
Small business startups will find a broad variety of useful information on the startup portal of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.
http://www.existenzgruender.de

Investment Guide
Germany Trade and Invest provides a comprehensive Investment Guide covering the establishment of a company in Germany.
http://www.gtai.com

Economic Promotion Agencies of the Federal States
The Economic Promotion Agencies of the German Federal States offer additional support for local investment projects.
Local State Support

Financial Support

Business success depends strongly on financing. The following websites provide useful information about finding financial support.

European Investment Bank
The European Investment Bank offers customized financial instruments for the needs of small and medium sized enterprises (SME). Its financial aid is provided indirectly through intermediating banks and financial institutions of the Member States.
http://www.eib.org

Förderdatenbank (German Only)
The Förderdatenbank of the Federal Ministry for Economics Affairs and Energy provides a complete overview on the economic promotion programs of the federation, the Federal States and the European Union.
http://www.foerderdatenbank.de/

KfW- Bankengruppe
The KfW-Bankengruppe offers financial support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and business start ups.
http://www.kfw.de

State Investment Banks
The investment banks of the German Federal States offer additional support for local investments projects. More information is available on our portal.
Local State Support

Running a Business

Setting Up a Business
The start up portal of the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Technology provides small and medium sized enterprises (SME) with basic information on management issues.
http://www.existenzgruender.de

Employment
More information on employment issues is available in the Investment Guide from Germany Trade & Invest.
Investment Guide

Posted Workers
Information about the statutory working conditions for posted workers can be found on the website of the German Customs Administration.
Posting of Workers

Taxation
Detailed information on the German tax system can be found on the website of the Federal Central Tax Office.
http://www.steuerliches-info-center.de