Gewerbeanmeldung in English: how business registration in Germany works
"Gewerbeanmeldung" means trade or business registration. Anyone who runs a trade in Germany (retail, crafts, services or production) must notify the municipality where the business is located, at the moment the business starts (§ 14 of the German Trade Regulation Act, GewO). This also applies to foreign companies opening a location in Germany. The notification itself is simple and costs only a municipal fee, usually around 10 to 65 euros. Freelance professions are exempt and register directly with the tax office.
Do you need a Gewerbeanmeldung?
Most commercial activities need one. No Gewerbeanmeldung is needed for:
- Freelance professions (freie Berufe): e.g. doctors, lawyers, architects, consulting engineers, scientific and artistic work. They register with the tax office only.
- Primary production: agriculture, forestry, fishing.
- Managing your own assets: e.g. private letting without a commercial character.
If you are unsure whether your activity counts as a trade, the local trade office (Gewerbeamt) will tell you.
How it works, step by step
- Find the right office: the trade office (Gewerbeamt or Bürgeramt) of the municipality where the business is located. Many municipalities accept the registration online.
- Fill in the form: the official form is called "GewA 1" (Gewerbe-Anmeldung). It asks for the business owner, the activity, the address and the start date.
- Provide documents: the ID card or passport of the person registering. A foreign company also needs a current certified extract from its home commercial register (in practice usually no older than about three months), with a German translation if it is not in German. Some trades need a permit, licensed crafts an entry with the chamber of crafts.
- Pay the fee and receive the confirmation (Gewerbeschein).
A residence in Germany is not required for the registration itself. Non-EU citizens who plan to work in Germany in person should check separately whether their residence title allows self-employment.
What happens after the registration?
The municipality forwards your data automatically, among others to the tax office (Finanzamt), which then sends you the questionnaire for tax registration ("Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung"), to the statutory accident insurance (Berufsgenossenschaft) and to the responsible chamber (e.g. chamber of commerce, IHK). You do not have to notify them yourself.
Foreign companies: three ways into Germany
| Way | Commercial register? | Notary? | Typical case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dependent permanent establishment | No | No | Warehouse, workshop or office of the foreign company without its own German company name |
| Branch office (Zweigniederlassung) | Yes | Yes | Independently operating branch with its own management |
| German subsidiary (GmbH) | Yes (new company) | Yes | Separate German company with share capital |
The simplest route is the dependent permanent establishment: the Gewerbeanmeldung with the municipality is enough. Our German-language tools help with the paperwork: the free GewA 1 assistant fills in the form as a PDF (in German), and the company formation support guides Swiss companies through every step.
Frequently asked questions
What does Gewerbeanmeldung mean in English?
Gewerbeanmeldung means trade registration or business registration. It is the notification to the municipality that a trade is being started at a location in Germany, required by § 14 of the German Trade Regulation Act (GewO).
How much does a Gewerbeanmeldung cost?
The fee is set by each municipality and is usually around 10 to 65 euros. There are no other mandatory costs for the registration itself.
When do I have to register my business in Germany?
When the business starts. A missing or late registration is an administrative offence and can be fined under § 146 GewO.
Do freelancers need a Gewerbeanmeldung?
No. Freelance professions such as doctors, lawyers, architects or artists do not register a trade. They register directly with the tax office.
Can a foreign company register a trade in Germany?
Yes. A foreign company can register a German location as a dependent permanent establishment with the municipality, without a German commercial register entry or a notary. A branch office or a German subsidiary additionally requires a notary and an entry in the commercial register.
Is the Gewerbeanmeldung the same as registering a company?
No. The Gewerbeanmeldung notifies the municipality of a trade. Founding a GmbH is a separate process with a notary and an entry in the commercial register. A GmbH that runs a trade needs both.
Sources
- § 14 GewO: notification obligation, official German statute text, retrieved 13.10.2026
- § 146 GewO: administrative offences, official German statute text, retrieved 13.10.2026