Form your Berlin company by chat
Guided by German statute from start to finish. No legal degree needed.
€30 one time · notary and register fees paid separately
Answer questions in natural language. Helenio fills the forms, drafts your documents, and acts on your behalf while you stay informed and in control.
Every formation step links to its legal basis: GmbHG, GewO, BeurkG, HRV, GwG. You see why each step matters and deadlines are tracked automatically.
Choose your legal form
A UG (haftungsbeschränkt) can be founded with as little as €1 in stated capital, the most accessible form. A GmbH requires a minimum stated capital of €25,000 (at least €12,500 paid in before registration). Both offer limited liability from day one. GmbHG §§ 1, 5, 5a, 7.
Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbHG), §§ 1, 2, 5, 5a, 7Company name and business purpose
The company name must not be misleading and should not conflict with existing registered names. The IHK Berlin typically reviews the name and business purpose before notarisation. Prepare 2 to 3 names in order of preference and a 1 to 2 sentence description of the planned activity.
Unternehmensregister — official company-name searchPrepare the Musterprotokoll
The Musterprotokoll is the standard simplified formation protocol for straightforward GmbHs and UGs with up to three shareholders and one managing director. It combines the articles of association and the formation record into one document. GmbHG § 2(1a).
Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbHG), §§ 1, 2, 5, 5a, 7Notarisation
The notary verifies the identity of all shareholders and the managing director, records the formation deed, and certifies the signatures. Online notarisation is possible via the official Bundesnotarkammer portal (online.notar.de). The notary then files the application with the Handelsregister. BeurkG.
Online notary portal , formation of a GmbH or UGOpen a business bank account and pay in capital
After notarisation (not before, this is the official sequence), open a business bank account and pay in the required capital. For a GmbH: each shareholder must pay at least ¼ of their nominal share, and the total paid-in in cash must reach at least €12,500 (GmbHG § 7(2)). For a UG: the full stated capital must be paid in before registration, contributions in kind are not permitted (GmbHG § 5a(2)). The bank provides confirmation of the deposit.
Gesetz betreffend die Gesellschaften mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbHG), §§ 1, 2, 5, 5a, 7Handelsregister entry
The notary files the application with the Handelsregister at the local Amtsgericht. Once registered, the company officially exists as a GmbH/UG. Registration typically takes 1 to 4 weeks depending on the court. Handelsregisterverordnung (HRV).
Handelsregisterverordnung (HRV)Gewerbeanmeldung (trade registration)
Register the business with the local Gewerbeamt. In Berlin, this can be completed online or in person. The Gewerbeanmeldung is required regardless of the Handelsregister entry. Gewerbeordnung § 14.
Gewerbeordnung (GewO), § 14Tax registration (Finanzamt)
Submit the Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung (tax registration questionnaire) via ELSTER. This registers the company with the Finanzamt for corporate income tax, VAT, and trade tax. This step is heavily German-language, a Steuerberater can handle it. Abgabenordnung § 138.
ELSTER , electronic tax declaration (tax registration questionnaire)Transparency Register
Within a few weeks of Handelsregister entry, confirm the company's beneficial owners are listed in the Transparency Register. For a GmbH/UG with natural-person shareholders, this is typically a notification of the Handelsregister entry. Geldwäschegesetz (GwG).
Transparency RegisterChat with Helenio
Tell Helenio about your company in plain language: name, shareholders and business purpose. Helenio builds your formation profile from your answers.
Review your roadmap
Helenio generates a personalised roadmap with every step linked to its statute and estimated timeline. Review it at your own pace.
Get your documents
Receive your Musterprotokoll PDF and all signed forms, ready for notarisation and entry in the commercial register.
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Statute-linked steps
Every roadmap step cites the exact German statute it is based on.
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Languages
German and English at every step of your formation.
One flat fee to get your filing ready
- Your full intake by conversation, with every answer checked as it is given
- A company-name pre-check against the naming rules, with its source and timestamp
- Your Musterprotokoll under GmbHG section 2(1a), generated and stored as a PDF
- A roadmap citing the statute behind every step through to registration
- Handover of your finished filing package to the formation provider, and status tracking
Not included, paid directly to third parties
Notary and register costs are separate from this fee and are paid directly by you to the parties that charge them, not to Helenio: the notary fee under the GNotKG and the Handelsregister fee under the HRegGebV. Each amount is shown by the party charging it before anything is due.
If something goes wrong
If we cannot deliver your filing package at all, the €30 is refunded in full. If the register court or the formation provider asks for corrections to your filing or company name, we revise and resubmit the package at no additional charge.
Ongoing compliance
Deadlines, filings and annual accounts after formation are not available yet. Join the list if you want to hear when they are.