Legal forms

The decision about a particular legal form has commercial, legal and tax effects on the company. Legal forms include sole proprietorships as well as partnerships (e.g. GbR, OHG, KG) and companies limited by shares (e.g. GmbH, Kleine AG). When deciding on a legal form, you must answer the following questions:

  • Required stock capital?
  • Liability?
  • Freedom of the entrepreneur to make decisions?
  • Formalities?
  • Entry in Commercial Register?
  • Formation expenses?

By the way: if it turns out later that the originally selected form is no longer appropriate to the company, you should think about a change in the legal form.

Speak to your professional association, tax accountant or lawyer about the details. Only lawyers and civil-law notaries may give comprehensive legal counselling.

The decision about a particular legal form has commercial, legal and tax effects on the company. Legal forms include sole proprietorships as well as partnerships (e.g. GbR, OHG, KG) and companies limited by shares (e.g. GmbH, Kleine AG). When deciding on a legal form, you must answer the following questions:

  • Required stock capital?
  • Liability?
  • Freedom of the entrepreneur to make decisions?
  • Formalities?
  • Entry in Commercial Register?
  • Formation expenses?

By the way: if it turns out later that the originally selected form is no longer appropriate to the company, you should think about a change in the legal form.

Speak to your professional association, tax accountant or lawyer about the details. Only lawyers and civil-law notaries may give comprehensive legal counselling.