Starting a company in the Kiel Region involves several steps, from registering your business to managing finances and taxes. First, choose the right business structure: a Sole Proprietorship (Einzelunternehmen), the simplest form of business with no legal distinction between the owner and the business; a Partnership (Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts; GbR), which is two or more individuals running a business together; or a Limited Liability Company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung; GmbH), a separate legal entity with limited liability for its owners. Next, register your business at the local trade office to obtain a trade license (Gewerbeschein). You must also register your business for tax purposes and obtain a tax number (Steuernummer). For certain business structures, such as GmbH or AG, you must register your company in the commercial register (Handelsregister).

Written by Yessica Klein
Main photo by Marvin Radke