About us

German Company Formation is a specialist service for foreign entrepreneurs and international businesses establishing a presence in Germany. We handle company registration, accounting, legal compliance, and ongoing administration — so our clients can focus on running their business rather than decoding German bureaucracy.

Our team operates from Düsseldorf and is backed by Goldblum und Partner AG, a Swiss law and fiduciary firm with nearly two decades of experience in cross-border corporate structuring. Since 2007, we have helped form over 1,000 companies for clients from more than 50 countries.

Our Background

Goldblum und Partner AG was established in 2007 in Switzerland with a clear focus: helping international clients set up and manage businesses in German-speaking Europe. The firm built its reputation on practical, results-oriented legal and fiduciary work — company formations, corporate restructuring, accounting, and regulatory compliance.

As demand from clients targeting the German market grew, the firm opened a dedicated office in Düsseldorf. Germany is the largest economy in the European Union, and for many international businesses it is the first point of entry into the EU market. The Düsseldorf office allows us to handle German company formations directly, with staff who understand both the local requirements and the expectations of foreign founders.

The Swiss heritage matters. Goldblum und Partner AG operates under Swiss fiduciary standards, which impose strict obligations around client confidentiality, due diligence, and professional conduct. These standards carry over into our German operations. When you work with us, you are working with a firm that is regulated, insured, and accountable.

Our Team

Our staff includes a licensed German lawyer, qualified accountants, and corporate administrators who speak English as a working language. This is not a minor detail — most German notaries, tax offices, and commercial registers operate exclusively in German, and having bilingual professionals manage the process removes a significant barrier for foreign clients.

Our lead lawyer heads the German operations, is admitted to the German Bar, and has spent over a decade advising international entrepreneurs on company formation, corporate law, and regulatory matters in Germany. The legal team has particular experience with clients from the UK, the US, the Middle East, and Asia who are entering the German market for the first time.

Beyond the legal team, our administrative staff manage the day-to-day coordination with notaries, the Handelsregister (commercial register), tax authorities, and banks. Every client is assigned a dedicated contact person who tracks the formation from initial consultation through to completion.

Our Services

We provide end-to-end support for establishing and running a business in Germany. Our core services include:

• GmbH Formation — The Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung is the standard German limited liability company and the most popular choice for foreign investors. We handle the full process: articles of association, notarisation, commercial register filing, tax registration, and bank account opening. Read our full GmbH formation guide.
• UG Formation — The Unternehmergesellschaft (haftungsbeschränkt) is a simplified variant of the GmbH with a minimum share capital of EUR 1. It is suited to startups and smaller ventures testing the German market.
• AG Formation — The Aktiengesellschaft is a German stock corporation, used by larger enterprises or businesses planning to raise capital publicly. Compare all German company types.
• Shelf Companies — Pre-registered companies available for immediate transfer. A shelf company lets you begin trading within days rather than weeks, which is useful when time-sensitive contracts or tenders are involved.
• Branch Offices — Foreign companies can establish a German branch (Zweigniederlassung) without creating a separate legal entity. We manage the registration and ongoing compliance. Learn more about opening a branch.
• Accounting and Tax — Monthly bookkeeping, VAT returns, annual financial statements, and payroll administration. Our accountants work with German tax software and file directly with the Finanzamt (tax office). View our accounting services.
• Trademark Registration — Protection of your brand through the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) or the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
• Crypto Licensing — Since 2020, crypto custody and trading businesses in Germany require a licence from BaFin, the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority. We advise on licence applications, compliance frameworks, and ongoing regulatory obligations. Details on German crypto licensing.

Recognition and Credentials

Goldblum und Partner AG is recognised by two of the most respected international legal directories:

• IFLR1000 — Listed as a Notable Firm for corporate and M&A work. IFLR1000 is published by Euromoney and ranks law firms worldwide based on peer reviews and transaction analysis.
• ITR World Tax — Recommended for tax advisory services. The International Tax Review directory evaluates firms based on client feedback and the complexity of mandates handled.

These recognitions reflect sustained performance over multiple review cycles. They are based on verified client references and independent assessment — not self-nomination or paid placement.

Our German lawyers are members of the German Bar Association and carry mandatory professional indemnity insurance. The firm complies with German anti-money laundering regulations (Geldwäschegesetz) and conducts full KYC checks on all clients before accepting an engagement.

How We Work

Our formation process follows a clear sequence:

1. Initial Consultation — We discuss your business objectives, the most suitable company type, and any specific requirements (such as regulated activities, multiple shareholders, or holding structures). This consultation is free and typically takes 30 minutes.
2. Document Preparation — We draft the articles of association (Gesellschaftsvertrag), shareholder resolutions, and all required filings. You receive the documents in both German and English for review.
3. Notarisation — German company formations require notarisation. If you are in Germany, we arrange an appointment with a notary in Düsseldorf. If you cannot travel, we prepare a power of attorney (Vollmacht) that allows us to complete the notarisation on your behalf. Remote formation is entirely routine — approximately 60% of our clients form their company without setting foot in Germany.
4. Registration — We file with the Handelsregister, register for tax with the Finanzamt, and where applicable register for VAT, payroll tax, and trade licences (Gewerbeanmeldung).
5. Bank Account — We coordinate the opening of a German business bank account. This step often causes delays for foreign founders acting alone; our established relationships with several banks streamline the process.
6. Handover and Ongoing Support — Once the company is fully registered, we deliver the complete corporate file and can continue with accounting, registered office, or annual compliance services.

Typical timelines: A standard GmbH formation takes 3–4 weeks from signing the articles of association to receiving the commercial register extract. A shelf company transfer can be completed in 3–5 business days. UG formations follow the same timeline as a GmbH but with simplified documentation.

Our Office

Our German office is located at:

German Company Formation
Graf-Adolf-Strasse 41
40215 Düsseldorf
Germany

Düsseldorf is a major business centre in western Germany, home to the largest Japanese business community in Europe and a significant international commercial presence. The city offers excellent transport links — Düsseldorf Airport connects directly to over 200 destinations worldwide, and the central train station provides high-speed rail access across Germany and into neighbouring countries.

While our physical office is in Düsseldorf, we serve clients regardless of location. Our client base spans more than 50 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, the UAE, Singapore, China, India, Israel, and numerous EU member states. The majority of our engagements are conducted remotely via email, video calls, and secure document exchange.

Meetings at our Düsseldorf office are available by appointment. We are also happy to arrange meetings at a location convenient to you when visiting clients in other German cities.

Get in Touch

If you are considering setting up a company in Germany, we are happy to discuss your options. Initial consultations are free and without obligation.

Contact us to schedule a consultation, or read what our clients say about working with us.