Proof of registration for German companies
Whenever possible, Swan independently retrieves required documents. If retrieval isn't possible, Swan may request the documents listed on this page to open an account for your company registered in 🇩🇪 Germany.
Documents marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory. All other documents may be requested on a case-by-case basis.
Documents must be written in the Latin alphabet, and must be comprehensive, accurate, and compliant with legal requirements.
Companies
Legal forms
The following table describes the legal forms typically found for companies registered in Germany.
| Legal form (German) | Description |
|---|---|
| Offene Handelsgesellschaft (oHG) | General Partnership |
| Kommanditgesellschaft (KG) | Limited Partnership |
| Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) | Limited Liability Company |
| Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung & Compagnie Kommanditgesellschaft (GmbH & Co. KG) | Limited Partnership with a Limited Liability Company as General Partner |
| Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung & Compagnie offene Handelsgesellschaft (GmbH & Co. oHG) | General Partnership with a Limited Liability Company as General Partner |
| Unternehmergesellschaft (haftungsbeschränkt) (UG) | Entrepreneurial Company (limited liability) |
| Aktiengesellschaft (AG) | Joint-stock Company |
| Societas Europaea (SE) | European Company |
| Europäische wirtschaftliche Interessenvereinigung (EWIV) | European Economic Interest Grouping |
| Societas Cooperativa Europaea (SCE) | European Cooperative Society |
| Genossenschaft | Cooperative Society |
| Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts (eGbR) | Registered Civil Law Partnership |
Accepted documents
The following table lists the proof of registration documents accepted for companies registered in Germany.
*Swan retrieves documents marked with an asterisk independently. All other documents may be requested from your end users on a case-by-case basis.
| Document type (German) | Description |
|---|---|
| Nachweis der Firmenregistrierung* | Proof of Company Registration* |
| Gesellschaftsvertrag/Satzungen* | Articles of Association* |
| UBO-Zertifikat* | Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBO) certificate* |
| Personalausweis der wirtschaftlich Berechtigten (UBOs) | Identity documents of UBOs |
| Vollmacht und Personalausweis | Power of Attorney and the legal representative's identity card |
| Formular für politisch exponierte Personen (PEP) | Politically Exposed Person (PEP) form |
| Finanzberichte | Financial statements |
| Eidesstattliche Erklärung | Sworn statement |
| Organigramm des Unternehmens | Company structure chart |
Self-employed individuals and freelancers
Legal forms
The following table describes the legal forms relevant to self-employed individuals and freelancers in Germany.
| Legal form (German) | Description | Mandatory documents |
|---|---|---|
| Freiberufler | Liberal professionals or freelancers | - Berufsanmeldung or Berufszulassung or Freiberufler-registrierung - Brief vom Finanzamt, Bescheinigung über die steuerliche Erfassung or Steuerbescheid |
| Selbständig/Gewerbetreibende | Self-employed in trade or business | Gewerbeschein |
| Partnerschaft | Partnership | Satzung der Gesellschaft or Partnerschaftsvertrag |
| Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts (eGbR) | Civil law partnership | - Satzung der Gesellschaft - Gewerbeschein (if available) |
Accepted documents
The following table lists the accepted proof of registration documents for self-employed individuals and freelancers in Germany.
Swan requests proof of registration documents from self-employed individuals and freelancers.
| Document type (German) | Description |
|---|---|
| Gewerbeschein | Business or trade license |
| Berufsanmeldung or Berufszulassung | Professional registration or professional license |
| Freiberufler-registrierung | Freelancer registration |
| Satzung der Gesellschaft (Partnerschaft) | Articles of Association – Partnerships |
| Gesellschaftsvertrag | Articles of Association |
| Bescheinigung über die steuerliche Erfassung | Tax registration certificate |
| Brief vom Finanzamt | Letter from the tax office |
| Steuerbescheid | Tax Declaration (most recent) |