German law requires a personal appearance before a German notary to register a GmbH or UG. If you cannot travel, a licensed German nominee shareholder is the only legal solution. No apostilles on foreign documents, no workarounds – just a clean, transparent trustee structure.
Professional nominee services for Germany
The Reality
Many consulting firms promise quick and easy German company formation remotely. The truth is more complex – and the shortcuts they offer do not work.
We frequently see translated articles of association certified by foreign notaries and stamped with an apostille. Under German law, this is simply not accepted for registering a GmbH or UG in the commercial register (Handelsregister). There are exactly two legal paths: you appear in person before a German notary, or you appoint a German nominee shareholder who does so on your behalf.
You book a flight, take time off work, visit a German notary in person and sign the articles of association yourself. Legally clean, but costly and time-consuming.
A licensed German trustee appears before the notary as nominal shareholder. A notarised trustee agreement protects your rights as beneficial owner. No travel required.
Process
A straightforward, transparent process – from initial consultation to a fully registered German company in your hands.
We discuss your goals, the right legal form (GmbH or UG), share capital, business purpose, and address any questions. No obligations.
A notarised trustee agreement (Treuhandvertrag) is drawn up. This document legally protects your position as beneficial owner and specifies all rights and obligations.
The nominee shareholder appears before the German notary, signs the articles of association, and handles all formalities for the commercial register entry.
You receive the certificate of registration, the trustee agreement, and a power of attorney enabling you to operate the business in your own name.
Our Services
Tailored nominee and trustee services for individuals and businesses wishing to establish a presence in Germany.
We act as nominal shareholder in your German GmbH. You remain beneficial owner, protected by a notarised trustee agreement. Minimum share capital: €25,000.
The UG (haftungsbeschränkt) is Germany's low-capital company form. Share capital from €1. Ideal for startups and testing the German market. Same trustee structure as GmbH.
Every engagement includes a fully notarised Treuhandvertrag under German law, securing your rights as the true beneficial owner of the company.
You receive a comprehensive power of attorney (Vollmacht) enabling you to conduct business, open accounts, and make decisions in the company's name.
Full-service formation: articles of association, notary appointment, commercial register filing, tax number application, and business registration (Gewerbeanmeldung).
Annual renewal of the nominee arrangement, registered address services, and support for any changes requiring notarial involvement – share transfers, capital increases, etc.
Legal Background
Transparency is the foundation of a sound trustee relationship. Here are the key legal facts about nominee structures in Germany.
The OLG Düsseldorf has confirmed that founding a GmbH through a nominee shareholder is a common and legally unobjectionable practice. The nominee is the registered shareholder; the beneficial owner holds all economic rights via the trustee agreement.
To register a GmbH or UG, the articles of association must be notarised by a German notary (Notar). Documents notarised abroad, even with an apostille, are not accepted for this purpose by German courts and the commercial register.
The notarised Treuhandvertrag obliges the nominee to transfer the shares to you at any time upon your request. It regulates voting rights, dividend entitlements, and all obligations. Under § 15 GmbHG, this agreement requires notarial form.
German law requires the beneficial owner (you) to be registered in the Transparenzregister. A nominee structure does not create anonymity from authorities – it simply removes the need for you to travel. Full compliance is mandatory and included in our service.
FAQ
Honest answers to the questions we hear most often.
Get in Touch
Whether you are at the early planning stage or ready to proceed, a short call is the best starting point. We will clarify your options, discuss the right structure, and give you a transparent cost overview.
Consultations are available in English and German. No obligations, no sales pressure.
We give you an honest assessment from the first call. If a nominee structure is not the right solution for your situation, we will tell you. No promises we cannot keep.
Choose a time that suits you – we will call you back.
Free · No obligation · Confidential
PAN21.com Corporate Consultants LTD
Kington, Herefordshire
England, Vereinigtes Königreich
Telefon: +49 30 – 568 44 500 (Berlin)
Internet: www.pan21.com
PAN21.com Corporate Consultants LTD (Director)
Eingetragen im Companies House England & Wales.
Die Inhalte dieser Website dienen der allgemeinen Information und stellen keine Rechts- oder Steuerberatung dar. Für konkrete Fragen wenden Sie sich bitte an einen zugelassenen Rechtsanwalt.
https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/
PAN21.com Corporate Consultants LTD, Kington, England. Contact: +49 30 – 568 44 500.
This website does not collect personal data via forms. When booking a consultation via telefon-termin.com, the privacy policy of Cal.com applies.
This website uses Matomo (self-hosted). Your IP address is anonymised before storage. No data is shared with third parties.
Requests: +49 30 – 568 44 500