Starting up a business in Berlin
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A business registration is always necessary if you are opening a new independent business (main branch, branch, dependent branch) with a permanent place of business in Berlin.
This also applies if you move your registered office from another federal state to Berlin.
Who is required to register the business?
In the event of a change in legal form, the business must be deregistered (discontinuation of operations under the old legal form) and then registered anew (for commencement of operations under the new legal form).
A business registration is not required if the requirements according to sec. 6 of the German Trade Regulation Act [GewO are met.
You can easily register your business via our online portal. There are two ways to do this:
Alternatively, you can also submit your business registration personally, by post, fax or e-mail to the Public Order Offices in charge. Please note! To register with the tax office, you can use the ELSTER online portal. You can find the right tax office for your request here:A business registration costs:
Yes. Please always state the date when you actually started to operate your business. If the date was a long time ago, you must register, truthfully stating the date in the past when the business started. This date may be a number of years ago – the online procedure allows you to submit your registration retroactively up to 60 months later.
Please note: Failure to register your business when you commence business (usually no later than approx. 4 weeks after the start of operations) is an offence and can be punished by the respective Public Order Office with a fine of up to EUR 1,000.
Under commercial law, there is no distinction between a so-called small business and a business. A business must always be registered, irrespective of its size.
You can use the online portal of the Point of Single Contact (EA) Berlin to register a business.
Yes, you can. The online portal distinguishes between applicants (who may also be authorised representatives) and the business to be registered and its owners.
The online procedure features an identity declaration in which you declare in a legally binding manner that you are authorised to fill in and submit the business registration form as a representative of the business.
Would you like to register online now?
You can register the dependent branch (= additional business premises) via our online portal.
At one point in the system, you will be asked whether you wish to register for a main branch, a branch or a dependent branch. Select the appropriate item here.
You can submit your tax registration online via the ELSTER portal of the tax authorities or in writing to your local tax office.
The tax number is issued by the tax office in charge.
Pursuant to sec. 14 paragraphs 6 seqq. of the German Trade Regulation Act [GewO], the Public Order Office regularly transmits data from the business registration to the public authorities in charge. The tax office will be informed about the establishment of your new business and will usually send you the tax registration form to apply for a tax number approx. 4-6 weeks after the business registration.
However, you do not have to wait for post from the tax office, you can also submit the tax registration at any time online via the ELSTER portal of the tax administration or in writing to your local tax office.
If you want to work in a freelance profession (e.g. catalogue professions, such as a lawyer, tax consultant or artistic, scientific or literary activities of a higher level), then you do not need a business registration.
However, you must register for tax purposes with your local tax office.
The link below provides the forms needed to register the commencement of business with your tax office:
You can enter your postcode here to find the right tax office for your request: You can complete the tax registration online:The following diagram shows whether your insurance industry is subject to licensing or not:
Use the links below for more information:
You will need an itinerant trade card.
You will also have to obtain permission from the owner of the respective site.
If you wish to use a public space, you will need to apply for a special use permit to use public space (office in charge: civil engineering authority in the respective district of Berlin).
Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises
