What is new? Climate, new construction and renovation

Climate policy has, of course, left a very big stamp in the agreement between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP. 177 pages of coalition agreement have now been agreed. A search for the term “climate” yields 198 hits. More than 40 pages deal with the changes for more climate protection. The big goal is climate neutrality.

For example, heating systems are to be operated with at least 65% renewable energies from 2025; regardless of whether it’s a single-family home, condominium or apartment building. Residential construction is to be massively promoted, from the current 306,000 apartments built each year to a total of 400,000 new apartments. An increase of 30.5% in residential construction. This in turn (and other tools such as the rent brake) is intended to “make housing affordable.

The most important facts at a glance: 2022 will see the…

Changes at a glance:

• New construction of 400,000 apartments / year, of which 100,000 public
• Own Ministry of Construction
• Property promotion
• Regional rent limit
• Construction industry and climate protection
• Solar panels on all roof surfaces
• Climate-neutral heat supply: Heating systems
• Charging stations (e-car) expansion

Source: Coalition agreement real estate – Immobilien-Erfahrung.de

New housing construction & building boom: +100,000 apartments annually

The new German government wants to promote a construction boom. To this end, 400,000 new homes are to be built each year, as initially described. Currently, just over 306,000 apartments are completed each year. Accordingly, the volume is to be increased by 30.5%.

Minister of Construction and Ministry of Construction

The Federal Real Estate Agency in particular is to take responsibility for this, with public investment for 100,000 apartments. But according to the coalition agreement, the new federal government wants even more, even creating its own construction ministry with its own construction minister.

Another major problem in Germany, which the German government intends to remedy, is the very long building permit procedures. These are to be simplified so that construction can / may take place more quickly, from new apartments to wind turbines.

New construction and construction ministry at a glance

The most important facts at a glance:

• Ministry of Construction and Minister of Construction
• Federal Real Estate Agency (BImA)
• Construction investments: + 30.5 % or ~94,000 apartments / year
• Building permit: Speed in construction

Rent brake: Regional limitation

One of the most important topics in the new coalition agreement is housing and construction. Rising rents in Germany’s inner cities dominate the headlines, whether online, on TV or in the newspapers. Especially in major cities like Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, affordable housing is becoming a real problem, especially for young families.

There are no signs of a change in the trend. Also your view of the rent price increase of the last years and decades does not let itself prophesy an easing. Even the European Central Bank is now demanding steps from Germany to counteract the general price increases in Germany, there is this morning on Deutschlandfunk.

Development of the rent price index for Germany

Development of the rent price index for Germany in the years from 1995 to 2020 (2015 = index 100):

You can find more statistics at Statista

As described, 400,000 apartments are to be built annually for this purpose, 100,000 of them publicly financed.

Facts about the regional rent brake

You’re probably already familiar with the rent brake from Berlin. The experiment failed, but the rent cap did not. According to the coalition agreement, there will be a regional rent cap, limited to a maximum of 3 years. The rents in this region may then rise by a maximum of 11%, previously it was 15%.

Rent control in the coalition agreement:

1. Rent limit for individual regions
2. Limited to maximum +11%
3. Limited to a maximum of 3 years / region

Promotion of ownership: Increase ownership rate

In general, ownership is to be promoted more strongly. We have already discussed the topic of owner-occupancy in detail, especially in relation to real estate as an investment (rental). Owner-occupation is the most expensive form of housing, but it is still a way of building up wealth for private individuals in the long term. Accordingly, more German citizens are to become homeowners. Primarily naturally in dwellings, finally the sealing of the land surfaces increases ever more. In Germany alone, five hectares of land are sealed every day, e.g. for parking lots, but also for new construction.

This is what the coalition agreement says:

“We want to enable more people in Germany to live in owner-occupied property”

46.5% Ownership rate in Germany

What is the situation regarding the home ownership rate in Germany?

• 2018 – 46,5%
• 2014 – 45,5%
• 2010 – 45,7%
• 2006 – 41,6%
• 2002 – 42,6%
• 1998 – 40,9%

Source: Federal Statistical Office

Solar system: use roof surfaces

Solar installations are again a big topic, for many years many subsidies are provided for it by the state. Now solar systems are to become mandatory for a large part of the construction industry.

Specifically, everything up to the coalition agreement:

“All suitable roof space to be used for solar energy in the future.”

The goals are very ambitious; by 2030, 90% of the electricity is to come from solar alone. Many areas are available for this, just think of single-story supermarkets with their flat roofs or even huge logistics centers.

“For new commercial buildings, this should be mandatory; for new residential buildings, it should become the norm.”

Currently, Germany needs a net amount of electricity produced of 220 gigawatts. Solar energy is expected to cover 200 gigawatts in the next few years.

Target: 200 gigawatts / year through electricity from the sun

Installation, whether single-family house or apartment building:

Climate-neutral heat supply: Heating systems

In the Building Energy Law (GEG), there will be the following changes: Heating systems installed after 2025 must be operated with 65% renewable energy. This will be a great challenge and at the current technical level, especially hybrid systems with solar thermal energy will have to be installed.

Tip. Read more about the “Future” here:

• Low energy house
• Solar energy for the home

In addition, there are a few more detailed changes, especially for conversions, extensions under lines.

Insulation, increasingly important in new construction:

Charging stations: Public expansion & in house

The switch to electromobility, which I have written about frequently here on the blog, will also be very interesting.

The headline is big:

15 million electric cars + 1 million charging stations

15 million electric cars will pose major challenges for the power grid. To supply all these cars with electricity, the German charging network is to be expanded to 1 million charging stations.

Of course, not all charging stations will be public; a large proportion will be installed primarily in houses and garages, carports and underground garages. Fast-charging stations are already being installed in more and more underground garages. According to the current state of technology, electric cars can be recharged in about 30 minutes.

The interesting thing is that in the future, electric cars could be part of the power grid. As decentralized electricity storage. If we increasingly go to solar energy, energy from wind power and hydropower, then energy is not always available in the same amount. We also can’t ramp up a power plant. The batteries of electric cars could be for decentralized storage for our cities in the future.

No tax increases: Top tax rate remains the same

Finally, something good, for all property owners who also rent, the top tax rate was not touched. Nor were there any other tax increases.

Rent cap is unconstitutional!

Tip. At the end there is still the press review, the most important news from the real estate world, summarized. There are interesting things in the FAZ on the subject of “New life for houses of worship”, redesigning former churches, monument protection, and much more. You can find all real estate news directly here: Real Estate News.

As the capital and cultural city,Berlin is one of the most popular places to live in Germany. No wonder that rents have been rising in recent years and the real estate market seems more lucrative than ever before. Whether and if so when the rent cap will take effect again or landlords can continue to charge their high prices remains to be seen. Here you can find information about the current events around the rent cap in Berlin.

The law concerns a stock of:

340,000 to 512,000 apartments in Berlin

What does the rent cap say?

The rent cap was supposed to make affordable housing in the big city of Berlin possible again. According to estimates, the rents for 340,000 to 512,000 apartments fell, in some cases by several hundred euros. Much to the annoyance of landlords and property owners! Because they finally sued against the law.

After the rent cap in Berlin was ultimately declared unconstitutional by the Federal Constitutional Court, many landlords and owners breathed a sigh of relief. However, the discussion about high rents has not yet come to an end. In addition, rumours are spreading that the real estate giant Vonovia will merge with the real estate group Deutsche-Wohnen, which would result in the largest real estate deal in German history.

Tenants and landlords: Statistics

Tip. Here you can find even more statistics on housing, construction & real estate.

Public opinion: good or bad?

Do you think the Berlin measure of introducing a rent cap is rather good or rather bad?

Tenant Opinion:

• Rather good: 81%
• Rather bad: 14%

Total opinion

• Rather good: 71%
• Rather bad: 24%

You can find more statistics at Statista.

Opinion in the political parties

It is also interesting to take a look at the parties in Germany. Do you think the Berlin measure of introducing a rent cap is rather good or rather bad? Sorted by party preference.

• Party = rather good / rather bad
• Left = 85% / 11%
• Greens = 83% / 15%
• SPD = 79% / 13%
• CDU/CSU = 68% / 27%
• AfD = 60% / 33%
• FDP = 47% / 44

If you are planning to move to the capital, want to buy or sell a property, or already live there, we now show you an overview of the most popular and beautiful districts in Berlin.

Living in Berlin: Individual & colourful

Berlin is individual, creative and full of opportunities. More than 3.5 million people have relocated here. As an international location, Berlin is an attractive place to live for people from all over the world. While the district Wilmersdorf in Charlottenburg convinces with its well-kept green areas, the residential areas Prenzlauer Berg and Weißensee in Berlin-Pankow inspire with their unbeatable prices and central location. You want to sell your apartment, your apartment building or your property in the world metropolis Berlin? With our free guides and tips on the topics of real estate sales and real estate valuation, you are well prepared. Read more here:

• Living in Berlin

The most popular neighborhoods to live and reside in are:

1. Pankow
2. Charlottenburg
3. Wilmersdorf
4. Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
5. Prenzlauer Berg
6. Kreuzberg
7. Wannsee
8. Steglitz
9. Schöneberg

Sell property in Berlin

The city is characterized by numerous sights and recreational areas, but also by the good infrastructure. As a place to live, Berlin is very popular with people of all ages. If you decide to offer a property for sale in Berlin, you can usually achieve purchase prices that are above average compared to other German cities of this size. The purchase price per square metre has increased by around 65% within the last 4 years.

• Read more about selling property in Berlin

Real estate giant: Merger of Vonovia & Deutsche-Wohnen

It would be the biggest deal in the history of the German real estate market. The billion-dollar real estate companies Vonovia and Deutsche-Wohnen want to merge. What was repeatedly rejected by Deutsche-Wohnen in the past is now set to become reality. Vonovia’s takeover bid is attractive and promising. Both the Vonovia share and the Deutsche-Wohnen share have risen in value in recent years. You can find more information here:

• Mega Deal Vonovia & Deutsche Wohnen

Real Estate News:

The Süddeutsche Zeitung says “Vonovia does not have to become a rent shark”. The Handelsblatt even headlines “Share deals loophole: Why the merger of Vonovia and Deutsche Wohnen is triggering a tax debate” and ARD warns “Merger plans alarm tenants”. The headlines are now familiar. Here is more news from the real estate industry:

Focus Online: KfW loan saves real estate buyers thousands

The Focus Online blog reports on “Study shows: Who should pay? In some regions, buyers boycott exaggerated real estate prices now” and “Construction financing: Building money has never been so cheap” . More news and current laws:

• Guest article by Carsten Zimmermann: KfW loan saves property buyers thousands – but now the subsidy is becoming a lottery prize!
• Study shows: Who’s going to pay for it? In some regions, buyers are now boycotting exorbitant real estate prices
• Construction financing: Building money has never been so cheap

IM Immobilienmanager: Warburg-HIH Invest buys police headquarters near Cologne

This week at IM Immobilienmanager among others articles about “Warburg-HIH Invest acquires new police headquarters near Cologne” and “ISG Germany appoints new managing director” . You can find more news here:

• Eligible Daikin technology in all product areas
• ISG Germany appoints new managing director
• Warburg-HIH Invest acquires new police headquarters near Cologne

Frankfurter Allgemeine: New life for houses of worship

The Frankfurter Allgemeine reports this week, for example, “New life for houses of worship: What can become of churches” and “Changing neighbourhoods: Images of memory”. More news from the past days:

• New life for places of worship: what can become of churches
• House on offer: Tenant desperately sought
• Changing Neighbourhoods: Images of Memory

Haufe: Will housing become more expensive?

New in the business section of Haufe this week is, among others, “Solar obligation in Baden-Württemberg: Will housing become more expensive?” as well as “Who comes, who goes? New CEO at Dr. Klein Wowi Digital; IC Group replaces management” . More real estate news for tenants, buyers and sellers:

• Compulsory solar energy in Baden-Württemberg: Will housing become more expensive?
• Reliable IT security for companies – but how?
• Who’s coming, who’s going? New CEO at Dr. Klein Wowi Digital; IC Group replaces leadership

T-Online: Housing prices continue to rise faster than rents

This week T-Online has topics such as ” Real estate collapse in major cities – experts warn of real estate bubble ” and ” Expensive CO2 participation – landlords demand Seehofer’s resignation ” . New topics of the week:

• “Overheating” – house prices continue to rise faster than rents
• Expensive CO2 participation – landlords demand Seehofer’s resignation
• Real estate collapse in major cities – experts warn of real estate bubble

Berlin.de: Vonovia with audit process

New articles and posts from Berlin.de this week include “Rent brake for municipal apartments in Berlin ” and “Expropriation initiative has almost 200,000 signatures” . More headlines of the week:

• Rent brake for municipal apartments in Berlin
• Senate: After housing offer from Vonovia with review process…
• Expropriation initiative has nearly 200,000 signatures

Immobilien Zeitung: Hamburg is building apartments like it last did in 1974

This week Immobilien Zeitung has interesting topics such as “Hamburg builds as many apartments as last 1974” and “Sometimes only a pharmacy and a supermarket remain of the trade” in the magazine. The posts and more tips can be found here:

• Hamburg builds as many apartments as last in 1974
• Apartments are also in short supply in Marburg
• Sometimes all that remains of the trade is a pharmacy and a supermarket

Spiegel: Social promises of the real estate bosses?

This week’s Spiegel is about “”The sheer size may worry one or the other”” and “What good is the social promise of the real estate bosses?” . More news from this week:

• What good is the social promise of the real estate bosses?
• Real estate groups offer Berlin thousands of apartments for sale
• “The sheer size may worry one or two”

Registered traders (e. K.) – foundation, financing, liability & Co.

With regard to the legal form of sole proprietorships, a distinction is made between freelancers, small traders and registered merchants, with the latter being the only legal form variant that must be registered in the commercial register. However, the obligation to register only applies to merchants who are actively engaged in commercial trading – the so-called “gewerbetreibende Kaufleute”. They are also referred to as “actual merchants” and are generally assessed according to the German Commercial Code (HGB).

If you are a sole trader and own a business but do not trade in it, you are considered an “optional trader” and have the choice of whether or not to have your business registered in the commercial register. If you decide not to register, you are subject to the German Civil Code (BGB) as normal. Typical “Kannkaufleute” are, for example, small traders and freelancers.

You can find out more about the individual legal forms here:

• Sole proprietorship (EU)

Foundation & Company Name

In comparison to the other two legal forms, the strictest requirements apply to the establishment of a company for commercial traders: In addition to applying for a tax identification number (tax ID) at your tax office and registering your company at the trade office, you are also required to have an entry made in the commercial register by a notary. At a cost of around 200 to 300 euros, you can thus secure the title of actual businessman or businesswoman. Only after completing this public registration do you have your own company in the legal sense.

You are free to choose the type of company name in many respects, but it must provide information about your commercial status and also be distinguishable from the companies of other traders. You can form a personal company, which describes you as the owner in more detail, or a material company, which reveals more about your business purpose and the associated services, or even a fancy company… It is obligatory that you add the gender-neutral suffix “e. K.” – or alternatively “e. Kfr.” for registered businesswomen or “e. Kfm.” for registered businessmen – to the contingent liabilities of your sole proprietorship. In addition, you can consider registering your company and/or your business name as a trademark to protect your name or your company.

Financing & profit distribution

No minimum capital is required to set up a business as a registered trader. Of course, it is still advisable to have some reserves and to draw up a financing plan in order to be financially prepared in case of unpleasant surprises. In addition, you will incur some costs for the start-up alone, before you have even begun to make a profit with your company. The positive aspect: Your profits are 100 percent yours and you don’t have to share them with anyone!

Liability, accounting & taxes for registered traders

As a sole trader, you have unlimited liability, i.e. with your business assets as well as with your personal assets. By registering, you are obliged to keep accounts and regularly prepare balance sheets and inventories for your business. However, you are exempt from the obligation to publish your business figures and books. Unless you achieve an annual turnover of more than 130 million euros…

A sole trader is always a natural person at the same time. Consequently, registered traders are, of course, first and foremost subject to income tax. In addition, according to tax law, further levies are provided for turnover tax and trade tax.

• Income tax (ESt)
• Value added tax (VAT)
• Trade tax (GewSt)

Registered trader (e. K.) – For whom is it worthwhile?

Do you love the idea of being your own boss and not having to coordinate decisions with other shareholders or managing directors? Then the legal form of a trader could be just right for you! Uncomplicated formation process, zero minimum capital required and no partners, co-founders or shareholder teams to nag you or interfere…. You take the risk and you reap the rewards – 100%.

Why should you register as a merchant? The legal form of a registered businessman (e. Kfm.) or registered businesswoman (e. Kfr.) is worthwhile for those who are prepared to take manageable risks in order to start their own business quickly and easily. You do not need enormous financial reserves and also pay relatively little tax on your profits. A sole proprietorship is therefore ideally suited for young entrepreneurs who not only dream of self-realization, but also want to take their lives into their own hands.

Alternatives to the e.K.: Legal forms in Germany

Legal forms – What types of company are there? If you want to start your first company, then choosing the ideal legal form is one of the first steps in the process of setting up a company. Whether it’s a special real estate company or a start-up, I’ve summarized all the types of companies in Germany for you here.

• Legal forms: List

Company types in detail:

• Sole proprietorship
• Civil law partnership (GbR)
• General partnership (OHG)
• Limited partnership (KG)
• Entrepreneurial company (UG)
• GmbH: Limited liability company
• Real estate GmbH / Asset management GmbH
• Stock corporation (AG)
• Real estate stock corporation (REIT-AG)
• Societas Europaea (SE)
• Foundation / Family Foundation

UG (limited liability company) – foundation, financing, liability & Co.

The UG was created in 2008 in the course of the Act to Modernise the Law on Private Limited Companies and Combat Abuses (MoMiG) and is thus one of the newer forms of corporations. With regard to the required start-up capital, the special character of an entrepreneurial company (haftungsbeschränkt) is reflected: The company can be founded with a cash contribution of as little as one euro, which is why this legal form variant is sometimes simply called a 1-euro GmbH.

By lowering the required share capital to a symbolic euro, the founding process has been considerably simplified for many start-ups: Instead of laboriously putting money aside and saving the 25,000 euros for the founding of a conventional GmbH, you can become self-employed as a corporation almost immediately. However, a UG (haftungsbeschränkt) is always founded with the prospect of later changing its legal form to a conventional GmbH. There are no time limits for this, but at some point an economically managed entrepreneurial company (haftungsbeschränkt) will inevitably become a limited liability company.

Other typical corporations:

• Limited liability company (GmbH)
• Stock corporation (AG)
• European Company (Societas Europaea, abbreviated to SE)
• Partnership limited by shares (KGaA)

Foundation & Company Name

You can found a UG (limited liability company) with just one person. This means that as a founder you also take on a managing position at the same time. To do this, you need a tax identification number – tax ID for short – from the tax office and must register your company with the trade office. In addition, you have to take care of the establishment of the partnership agreement aka articles of association and have it notarized. If you have a maximum of three founding members, you can also simply use a sample protocol, as it is available as an annex to the Law on Limited Liability Companies (GmbHG): In this way, you can complete the articles of association, appointment of managing directors and list of shareholders all in one!

In the next step you can register your company in the commercial register. Your company can consist of personal names, industry names, fantasy names or a mixture of these… It is important that the name contains either “Unternehmergesellschaft (haftungsbeschränkt)” or “UG (haftungsbeschränkt)” – in exactly one of these two variants: Brackets are a must and abbreviations are forbidden! Once you have reached the minimum share capital of 25,000 euros, you decide whether to change the name of your company to a GmbH or to continue it as a UG (haftungsbeschränkt).

Financing & profit distribution

Even if the contribution of only one euro may sound quite attractive at the beginning… Caution is required when determining the amount of the share capital for your company: If the capital is too low and the company’s specific needs cannot be met as a result, you can quickly slide into insolvency! Many UG founders therefore opt for a starting capital of around 500 to 1,000 euros. This way they can ensure that their entrepreneurial company (haftungsbeschränkt) does not go bankrupt after the first small purchases.

When founding a UG (limited liability company), you may only use cash contributions; contributions in kind are prohibited. If a share capital of more than 25,000 euros is set, you can no longer establish your company as an entrepreneurial company (haftungsbeschränkt) and will automatically be treated as a GmbH (limited liability company). Until your share capital reaches this limit, you are subject to the obligation to retain profits, which means that you are not allowed to distribute profits in full, and you must transfer 25 per cent of your profits to the statutory reserves.

Liability, accounting & taxes for UG shareholders

As an entrepreneurial company, you are limited by liability and – as with the GmbH – are usually liable for the amount of your capital contribution, i.e. at least one euro. As a UG shareholder, however, you are also subject to the obligation to file for insolvency: In the event of a breach of duty or other criminally relevant actions, you may also be held personally liable under certain circumstances.

The Unternehmergesellschaft (haftungsbeschränkt) is subject to the same taxes in Germany as its big sister, the Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung. It is therefore subject to the obligation of double-entry bookkeeping – annual balance sheet plus profit and loss account – and, depending on the size of the company, may have to prepare regular management reports. Furthermore, it is fully burdened with corporation tax, trade tax and input tax or turnover tax as well as – with regard to the distribution of profits to shareholders – capital gains tax and other final withholding taxes. For all natural persons, income tax also applies as usual.

• Corporate income tax (KSt)
• Trade tax (GewSt)
• Value added tax (VAT)
• Income tax (ESt)
• Capital gains tax (KapESt)

Unternehmergesellschaft (haftungsbeschränkt) – For whom is it worthwhile?

A UG (limited liability company) is the perfect choice for solo founders who have few assets but still want to start their own business with limited liability. The mini-GmbH is particularly suitable for smaller companies in the service industry, as unlike the formation process of a GmbH, no large start-up capital is required for the company formation. Another major advantage is the limitation of liability, which protects the private assets of the UG shareholders.

So for whom is the formation of an entrepreneurial company (haftungsbeschränkt) worthwhile? The legal form always makes sense if the later change of form to a limited liability company is planned. In this way, the first profits can be made with the company at an early stage and business relationships can be established, even though the share capital of over 25,000 euros is not yet available. The UG (limited liability) forms a more favourable preliminary stage to the GmbH – the conversion from UG to GmbH itself is extremely simple, as it is basically only a change of name within the same legal form.

Comparison: Sole proprietorship, one-man GmbH, small AG or entrepreneurial company?

If you plan to set up your business on your own, you can choose between different legal forms of business: On the one hand, there is the classic sole proprietorship, in which you act as a freelancer or registered trader, or set up a small business. Alternatively, you can choose between the one-man limited liability company and the entrepreneurial company – often referred to as a “mini-GmbH” – or set up a small public limited company.

You can find out more about the different legal forms for solo founders here:

• One-man limited liability company – see GmbH
• Sole proprietorship (EU)
• Small public limited company – see AG

Sole proprietorship & one-person GmbH

Basically, there is not much difference between the two legal forms of a sole proprietorship and a single-member company, because in both cases you are the sole shareholder with sole power of management and sole power of representation. However, the decisive difference arises in the form of the liability issue: As a registered businessman (e. Kfm.) or registered businesswoman (e. Kff.) you are liable without limitation, directly and jointly and severally – as the sole shareholder of a one-person GmbH, on the other hand, you are liable exclusively for the business up to the amount of the capital contribution you have made.

Are you a sole proprietor yourself and no longer want to bear the enormous liability risk? Then you should think about converting your sole proprietorship into a one-person limited liability company. The change of form is easily accomplished, but can make a huge difference in case of losses! In order to avoid personal liability, as part of the registered traders (e. K.) you only need a notarial certificate confirming a value of at least 25,000 euros for your business and submit this to the commercial register together with the opening balance sheet. The sole proprietorship is practically brought into the GmbH as a contribution in kind.

Entrepreneurial company & small public limited company

Alternatively, you can consider setting up an entrepreneurial company (UG). Often referred to as a “small GmbH” or “mini-GmbH”, this legal form of company is a sub-form of the conventional limited liability company, but unlike the “normal” GmbH, it only requires a single euro as share capital. It is therefore particularly attractive for solo founders who do not have 25,500 euros in their bank account. Without the share capital of a GmbH, however, your image with the banks could be lower and your chances of getting a good loan could decrease.

The so-called “small AG” is primarily intended for individual shareholders who wish to keep their public limited company within a small group of people. Apart from the individual shareholder, who also equally assumes the role of the management board, only three other persons are required to be appointed as supervisory board members. However, the formation of a public limited company, regardless of its size, is very complex and more cost-intensive than the other common forms of corporate law. Therefore, a one-person limited liability company or an entrepreneurial company may be more suitable if you intend to found your company on your own. Alternatively, you might also consider setting up a sole proprietorship.

Alternatives to the UG: Legal forms in Germany

Legal forms – What types of company are there? If you want to start your first company, then choosing the ideal legal form is one of the first steps in the process of setting up a company. Whether it’s a special real estate company or a start-up, I’ve summarized all the types of companies in Germany for you here.

• Legal forms: List

Company types in detail:

• Sole proprietorship
• Registered businessman / registered businesswoman (e. K.)
• Civil law partnership (GbR)
• General partnership (OHG)
• Limited partnership (KG)
• GmbH: Limited liability company
• Real estate GmbH / Asset management GmbH
• Stock corporation (AG)
• Real estate stock corporation (REIT-AG)
• Societas Europaea (SE)
• Foundation / Family Foundation