Skip to content
Europe EU

Hardware, energy, and biotech, Germany

BaFin regulates fintech and crypto custody. Well established licence routes. Strong public R&D co funding. Fraunhofer Institutes commercialise applied research.

BaFinFraunhoferPublic R&D funding
Start setup {placement} 4 min · no card required
Corp tax
30%
Fastest setup
4 weeks
Tax treaties
96
Region
Europe

What you'll need

  • No resident director required
  • Local registered office required
  • Economic-substance test applies
  • Minimum capital: EUR 25,000
  • Administrative language: German
  • Legal system: Civil law

Tax and treaty profile

  • Corporate tax 30%
  • Tax treaties 96
  • VAT rate 19%
  • Withholding on dividends 25%
Key treaty partners
USAUKFranceNetherlandsSwitzerlandAustria

Banking and payments

  • Banking is straightforward
  • Stripe supported
  • Wise supported
  • Crypto banking available
  • EMI license framework available

Considerations

If you want fast, light incorporation

GmbH (German LLC) requires notary, €25K minimum capital, and 4 weeks. UG (mini GmbH (German LLC)) opens at €1 but has retained earnings restrictions. For instant setup:

Notary required€25K min capital4 weeks