The Handelsregister is Germany’s official commercial register, a public directory managed by local district courts (Amtsgerichte) that lists key details about businesses.
It records key information like a company’s name, legal form, address, and managing directors. Only with a Handelsregister entry is a business considered a “Firma” (company or firm) and subject to the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch, HGB).
The register is publicly accessible via the Bundesanzeiger (Federal Gazette) or Handelsregister website, allowing anyone to check company details. This signals professionalism and boosts credibility due to the strict regulations tied to registration.
Which legal forms are required to be registered under the Handelsregister?
Not every legal form is required to be registered in the Handelsregister. However, the following are required to register:
- Sole proprietorships: Registered merchants (e. K.)
- Partnerships: OHG, KG
- Corporations: GmbH, UG, AG, GmbH & Co. KG
- Non-profit organizations: gGmbH, gUG
