How to set up a Joint Stock Company in Germany?

Looking to Establish a Joint Stock Company?Your Essential Guide to Incorporation, Legalities, and Expanding in Germany.

To set up this kind of company there must be at least one person who may be the only shareholder of the company, too. A share capital of € 50,000 is required; the shares may be (but need not be) listed on the stock exchange. Articles of association, authenticated by a notary, are needed to set up an AG. The company becomes legally existent as an AG when it has been entered into the Register of Companies. The name of the AG is usually taken from the purpose of the enterprise and it must contain the words "Aktiengesellschaft" or a common abbreviation of it (e.g. “AG”).

An AG must have a board of directors (Vorstand) empowered to decide all matters relating to the operation and the management of the business. The board of directors is appointed by and responsible to the Supervisory Board (Aufsichtsrat). The shareholders of an AG exercise their power with regard to the company at regularly scheduled General Meetings (Hauptversammlungen).

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

Consultinghouse can support expanding companies in the foundation process
Registration to the commercial register and to the local trade office
We help to align communications with German authorities
We help to stay compliant when doing business in Germany
Our cooperation partner Counselhouse can help to expand companies reduce the legal risk when creating a permanent establishment in Germany

Overview

Liability	The shareholder's liability is limited to his capital contribution.
Statutory capital	€ 50,000.00
Corporate bodies	Board of directors, supervisory board, shareholders' meeting
Financial Statements	Mandatory
Company taxation	EBIT - Trade tax on profit of 12% - 13% = Tax basis for corporation tax - Corporate tax 15% = Earnings after company taxes Dividend withholding tax 25%, reduced treaties, 0% within EC.