Registering a business step by step

In short: A business is registered at the trade office of your town or municipality (§ 14 GewO). You fill in a form, present ID and, for minors, the approvals, pay a small fee and receive a confirmation.

In more detail: Registration must happen at the start of the activity. The office automatically forwards the data to the tax office, the chamber of commerce or crafts, the employers’ liability insurance and other bodies. After that the tax office contacts you with the tax registration questionnaire, often before you have sent it yourself.

In detail

• 1. Prepare: describe the activity precisely, choose the business name, clarify the business address.
• 2. Documents: identity card or passport; for minors consent and the family court decision, plus permits if needed (Business registration: documents and costs).
• 3. Form: online portal of the town or state, or a paper form at the town hall.
• 4. Fee: usually 15 to 65 euros, depending on the municipality.
• 5. Confirmation: you receive the trade licence (Trade licence and registration confirmation).
• 6. Afterwards: ELSTER questionnaire, bank account, bookkeeping, imprint.

Typical mistake: starting the activity before registration. For minors especially, the business may only start after the approval.

See also: Trade office and responsible authority, Tax registration and the ELSTER questionnaire, Business registration and self-employment