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All Posts By

Bernhard Schmeilzl

Business in GermanyBusiness Tax & Fiscal ObligationsContract TemplatesGerman Corporate LawGerman Labor LawStarting BusinessStarting or Expanding Business

Checklist: Formation of a German Company. And then what?

Setting up a German Limited Liability Company and everything that comes with it The most popular company form in Germany is the "Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung" which translates "company with limited liability". We explain the formation process here (see PDF guideline) and provide a sample set of documents (articles of association, statutes etc.) here. If you have decided to set up a German subsidiary or register a branch office of your existing company in Germany,…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
October 17, 2012
Austrian Inheritance LawAustrian ProbateEuropean ProbateGerman LawGerman ProbateGerman Succession & Inheritance Law

Basics of German Inheritance Law (German Probate)

German Succession Rules and Probate Proceedings explained German inheritance law as well as German probate rules differ very much both from UK law as well as USA probate. Under German statutory law, there are many formal requirements which must be followed. A good source for initial informationis about the law of succession in Germany (or any other European country for that matter) is the official EU website "Successions in Europe". It answers a few basic questions…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
October 10, 2012
Business in GermanyGerman Corporate LawGerman LawStarting Business

What is a GmbH? The German Limited Liability Company explained

Checklist for your Startup in Germany "Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung" (in short: GmbH) means Limited Liability Company. It is the most popular company form in Germany and protects - as long as the legal rules are being obeyed - its shareholders from any personal liability. For an overview of German company forms see here. However, in contrast to most other EU member states, there is still a hefty minimum capital requirement of 25,000 Euro, half…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
October 4, 2012
Starting or Expanding Business

Starting a Business in Britain: 10 practical Tips

10 HOT TIPS FOR STARTING A BUSINESS IN LONDON Starting any new business, or expanding an existing business to a new location, is always a daunting prospect.  To start a business in a foreign country, even one that you might be familiar with, makes the prospect even more challenging.  At the same time, starting a new business in a world class, cosmopolitan city like London can in many ways be a very exciting prospect indeed…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
July 9, 2012
GeneralGerman LawOutside the Law

Economic Data Germany

Stats & Figures for Germany In case you plan to expand your business into Germany, it may be a good idea to get familiar with some stats and figures. The German Federal Statistical Office (DESTATIS), based in Wiesbaden, is constantly publishing data and projections regarding German economy in general as well as regarding various economic sectors. Furthermore, you can find all kinds of statistics regarding environment, society, social security and state. Most services are also…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
June 23, 2012
Outside the Law

An Expat on Germans

Being German means drinking beer from huge steins, driving 120 mph on the Autobahn and wearing stupid looking hats. Right? If you want the truth about Germans, this is the list "What I know about Germans" by the great Australian blogger Olivia Hambrett. She explains it all: from Sauerkraut to naked sauna. For more Anglo expat knowledge on Germany see here and our post "Corresponding with Germans: How not to come across as being rude" Or…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
June 20, 2012
Business in GermanyGerman Corporate LawGerman LawProfessional Regulations

What is a German “Civil Law Notary”?

And what are their Fees? When you engage in business in Germany you will sooner or later encounter a so called "Notar". These civil law notaries are neither judges nor attorneys, but something in between. German law (for example in Sec. 311.b.(1) Civil Code) requires the intervention of a notary in cases of important transactions with long-term effects and a particular economic or personal significance for the parties concerned, e.g. real property transactions, establishment of…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
June 16, 2012
Business in GermanyGerman Corporate LawGerman Labor Law

Guide for doing Business in Germany

Practical tips and helpful websites The following websites and brochures may prove helpful if you plan to do business in Germany or with German commercial partners: .Germany Trade and Invest (www.gtai.de) is the foreign trade and inward investment agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its mission is to promote Germany as top location for industrial and technological investments and to identify investors for the German market. The organization advises and supports foreign companies seeking…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
June 15, 2012
German Law

German Lawyers in London

Anglo-German Law Firm Graf Legal The German law firm Graf & Partners and its litigation department GP Chambers, established in 2003, has years of experience in counseling British clients in regard to German and European legal issues, particularly in the areas of corporate and labour law, international probate issues, preparation of Beritish-German Wills, drafting of agreements or in litigation and arbitration. Several of the firm’s attorneys have studied and/or worked in the USA, UK and…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
June 14, 2012
German Corporate LawGerman Law

Company Forms in Germany: An Overview

Which legal entity is best for your German business? Foreign companies may, of course, do business in Germany. Company forms from another EU country may even have their seat in another European country. Thus, legally, there is no strict necessity to establish a national company under German rules. However, there are many good reasons to found an “original” national company, when someone wants to engage in business activities within Germany. If only because customers and…
Bernhard Schmeilzl
June 12, 2012