Instructions for registering a UG (Entrepreneurial Company)

In this guide, you will learn step by step how to register a UG, which is a limited liability company. The UG is an interesting form of company that is particularly attractive to founders due to its liability limitation and low minimum deposit. You will see that the process is relatively simple if you follow the necessary steps and make the right preparations. Let's get started!

Main Insights

• A UG provides limited liability protection, unlike a sole proprietorship.
• The minimum deposit for a UG is only 1 euro.
• A solid partnership agreement is the foundation of the establishment.
• The notary plays a central role in certification and registration.
• It is important to specify the correct designation of the UG in the imprint and on invoices.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Create partnership agreement

The first step in establishing your UG is to create a partnership agreement. There are many sample contracts available online, but be careful: these samples are often not perfectly tailored to your needs. If you are founding the UG alone, a simple template may suffice as long as it contains all the basic information. However, if you have partners, you should have the contract reviewed by a lawyer or have a customized contract created.

2. Schedule a notary appointment

Once the partnership agreement is ready, you must schedule a notary appointment. The notary will read the partnership agreement, and all partners must hear and understand it. It is important that all involved parties are familiar with the content of the contract before signing.

3. Certification by the notary

In the next step, the notary certifies the partnership agreement. All partners must sign the contract. The notary ensures that all formalities are met. After certification, the notary creates a list of partners. This list includes all partners involved in the establishment, as well as their basic information.

4. Appoint managing director

During certification, the managing director is also determined. When establishing a UG, usually one managing director is appointed, but it is also possible to appoint multiple managing directors. This varies depending on the number of partners and individual agreements.

5. Deposit the share capital

Before the notary registers the establishment of the UG with the commercial register, you need proof of the deposit of the share capital. The minimum amount is 1 euro. You must deposit this amount into a business account and receive a receipt from the bank, which you present to the notary.

6. Commercial register entry

After the notary has received proof of the deposit, he can register the UG with the commercial register. This is an essential step as it seals the official establishment of the UG. The competent local court takes care of the registration and sends you a confirmation as well as an invoice.

7. Utilize operational company

Upon successful registration in the commercial register, you will receive written confirmation. From this point on, your UG is an operational company that you can use for your activities, such as building an online store.

8. Requirements for the UG

Don't forget that you must always indicate in the company name that it is a limited liability company. For example, your company could be named "Leon E-Commerce UG (limited liability)". This designation must also be included in the imprint and on invoices.

9. Completion of the establishment process

The entire process of establishing a UG can take a few weeks, but is overall uncomplicated. However, keep in mind that the establishment costs may be higher than for a sole proprietorship. Nevertheless, the UG represents a secure and scalable corporate vehicle that offers you many opportunities.

Summary

In this guide, you have learned the most important steps for registering a UG. From creating the partnership agreement to notarization and registration in the commercial register - each step is crucial for the successful start of your company. It is a rewarding option that brings many benefits, especially in terms of liability and capital.