Buy a Company in Germany from Singapore: Ready-Made GmbH for Asian Founders
If you are in Singapore and want to buy a company in Germany, you can do it without leaving the country. Singapore citizens, permanent residents and Singapore-incorporated companies are free to own a German GmbH or another European entity, and the cleanest, fastest route is to buy a ready-made shelf company and have it transferred to you remotely. Müller Konsult guides Singapore and Asian founders through the German and DACH side of that purchase, from selecting a clean company to banking, VAT and tax. This is general information, not tax, legal or immigration advice; we handle the European side and recommend confirming Singapore-side matters with your bank and tax adviser.
To be clear from the start, this is not a marketplace of operating businesses for sale, and it is not about registering a Singapore company. A shelf company is a brand-new, never-traded German entity that already sits in the commercial register, sold precisely because it is clean and ready to use by a new owner.
Can a Singaporean own a company in Germany?
Yes. There is no nationality requirement to own a German GmbH, and no rule that the owner must live in Germany or hold an EU passport. A Singapore citizen, a Singapore permanent resident, or a Singapore company can hold all the shares in a German company while remaining based in Singapore.
Owning a company and living in Germany are two separate things. You can be the full owner and the managing director from Singapore. A residence permit only comes into play if you intend to move to Germany and run the business there in person, which we cover in the visa section below.
Why Singapore founders buy a European company
Singapore is one of the strongest hubs in Asia, but it sits outside the European Union. Many Singapore-based businesses want a footing inside the single market rather than trading into it from outside. A German or wider European company gives you:
- Single-market access to sell goods and services across the EU without the friction a non-EU seller faces.
- An EU base for e-commerce, including EU VAT handling for marketplaces and direct sales.
- A holding or trading vehicle positioned closer to your European customers, suppliers and partners.
- Credibility with EU clients, banks and authorities who prefer to deal with a local counterparty.
A common structure is to keep your Singapore company as the Asian headquarters and add a German GmbH as the European arm. For trading, IT services, manufacturing and online businesses in particular, an EU entity turns a difficult export relationship into a straightforward domestic one.
What you are buying: a clean shelf company
The company we transfer to you is a Vorratsgesellschaft, a shelf company. It was incorporated, had its share capital paid in, and was entered in the German commercial register (Handelsregister), but it has never traded. It carries no debts, no contracts and no history. Under the German Limited Liability Companies Act, a GmbH only exists in law once it is entered in the register (GmbHG §11), and a shelf company has already crossed that line, so you skip the weeks a new company spends waiting to come into being.
That makes it different from two things people often confuse it with. It is not an operating business for sale, where you would inherit staff, customers and the seller’s history. And it is not a fresh incorporation, where you wait out the registration. It is a clean, registered entity ready to take a new owner. For the full picture of the standard German entity, see our guide to a GmbH for sale.
- €25,000 — Germany — GmbH
- €10,000 — Austria — GmbH
- CHF 20,000 — Switzerland — GmbH
- CHF 50,000 — Liechtenstein — AG
Bar length is scaled to an approximate EUR equivalent; capital is stated in each country’s statutory currency. Sources: GmbHG §5, Austrian GesRÄG 2023, Swiss CO, Liechtenstein PGR.
Sending money from Singapore: the open capital account
This is where buying from Singapore is genuinely easier than from many other countries. Singapore operates an open capital account and does not impose foreign-exchange controls on outbound remittances or investment. In practice, that means you do not need a regulator’s approval to send funds abroad to buy a foreign company; the money moves through your Singapore bank, which handles the usual reporting and source-of-funds checks.
So, unlike buyers in countries with strict outbound-investment limits, a Singapore buyer faces no special cap on the transfer itself. You still complete your bank’s compliance process, and a Singapore company should keep its own board approvals and records in order, so confirm the practical steps with your bank or corporate adviser before you remit. We coordinate the timing on the German side so the payment and the paperwork line up.
The purchase process from Singapore, step by step
The whole acquisition can be completed remotely. A typical sequence looks like this:
- Consultation and selection. We discuss your goals and propose a clean company, a German GmbH or a DACH alternative.
- Document pack. You assemble your identification and, where Singapore public documents are needed in Germany, have them apostilled.
- Due diligence. We verify the company is debt-free, litigation-free and current on tax, so you know exactly what you are taking over.
- Fund the purchase. You remit the funds from Singapore through your bank, in parallel with the German paperwork.
- Notarised share transfer. Ownership passes by notarial act under GmbHG §15, completed by power of attorney so you do not need to travel.
- Handover. We update the register, appoint your managing director, and set up banking, VAT and tax so the company is ready to operate.
The notary and document legalisation (apostille)
German law does not allow a GmbH to change hands by private contract. The transfer of the shares, and even the agreement to transfer them, must be recorded in notarial form (GmbHG §15). For a buyer in Singapore, this is handled through a power of attorney so a representative can attend the German notary on your behalf. Singapore is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so Singapore public documents used in Germany are legalised by apostille through the designated Singapore authority rather than by full consular legalisation, which keeps the cross-border paperwork straightforward.
Register and beneficial-owner update
After the transfer, an updated list of shareholders (Gesellschafterliste) is filed with the commercial register, and the new beneficial owners are reported to the transparency register (Transparenzregister). These filings are what secure your ownership on the public record, and we handle both for you.
What you need to provide (KYC and AML)
German anti-money-laundering rules (the Geldwäschegesetz) apply to every company purchase, so we will ask you to identify the ultimate beneficial owners, provide details of the incoming managing director and shareholders, confirm the planned business purpose, and supply proof of address. If the buyer is a Singapore company, we also need its corporate documents and ownership chain, apostilled where required. On the Singapore side, you and your bank handle the source-of-funds checks the remittance involves. We make sure the German file is complete before the notary appointment so nothing stalls.
Share capital and legal basics
The numbers behind a German GmbH come straight from the GmbHG, and they are worth knowing before you buy:
- Minimum share capital is €25,000 (GmbHG §5).
- Before registration, at least one quarter of each share and a total of at least €12,500 must be paid in (GmbHG §7). In a shelf company this is already done.
- The company exists only once it is in the commercial register (GmbHG §11), which is already complete for a shelf company.
- Liability is limited: the company’s assets alone discharge its obligations, protecting your personal assets (GmbHG §13).
- A managing director is required — every GmbH must have at least one Geschäftsführer (GmbHG §6), a role you can hold yourself from Singapore.
Because the capital is already paid in and verified in a ready-made company, you are not arranging a fresh deposit during the purchase; you are buying an entity whose capital is already in place.
Banking, VAT and a tax number for Singapore owners
A company can only trade once it can move money and invoice, and for owners in Singapore these registrations are often the slowest part of getting started. A ready-made GmbH can solve all three:
- Bank account. Opening a German business account from abroad takes preparation, so many Singapore buyers choose a shelf company with a bank account already in place. A nominee or local director can help meet the bank’s requirements, and we also help you open a German business bank account.
- VAT number. A company with a VAT number lets you invoice and trade across the EU immediately, instead of waiting for a fresh registration.
- Tax number. Where the company already holds a tax number, you avoid the wait a brand-new company faces. We confirm the registrations carry over correctly to you.
Tax: the Singapore-Germany treaty and 17% versus around 30%
A German GmbH pays German corporate taxes. In practice the combined rate, corporation tax plus the solidarity surcharge plus municipal trade tax, comes to roughly 30%, with VAT at 19% (a reduced 7% applies to some goods). Those are the company’s taxes, paid in Germany, regardless of where the owner lives. Singapore, by contrast, levies a flat corporate tax of 17% and runs a one-tier system in which dividends paid by a Singapore-resident company are tax-exempt in the shareholder’s hands.
| Point | Singapore | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Headline corporate tax | 17% flat | ~30% effective (CIT + solidarity surcharge + trade tax) |
| VAT / GST | GST applies | VAT 19% (reduced 7%) |
| Dividends to shareholders | One-tier, exempt in shareholder’s hands | Taxed on distribution |
| Double-tax relief | Comprehensive treaty with Germany | Comprehensive treaty with Singapore |
The key worry for a Singapore owner is whether the same income is taxed twice. Singapore and Germany have a comprehensive double-taxation treaty designed to prevent exactly that, and it also governs questions such as whether your activity creates a permanent establishment. The exact treatment depends on your personal and corporate position, so treat this as background and confirm the figures with a cross-border tax adviser. This is general information, not tax advice.
Planning a European company from Singapore? Request a free callback with our lawyers, with no commitment. Talk to our team.
- 1. Consultation — We propose the right company and structure for your goals.
- 2. Due diligence — We confirm the company is clean, debt-free and compliant.
- 3. Notarial transfer — Ownership passes to you — remotely if needed (GmbHG §15).
- 4. Setup — Banking, tax, registered address and director are put in place.
Germany, Austria or Switzerland: which to buy from Asia?
A German GmbH is the default choice for EU market access, but it is not the only one. The right jurisdiction depends on your tax goals, where your customers are, and whether you need EU membership.
| Jurisdiction | Entity | Minimum capital | Effective corporate tax | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | GmbH | €25,000 | ~30% | EU market access, e-commerce, trading |
| Austria | GmbH | €10,000 | 23% | Lower entry capital, EU access, CEE focus |
| Switzerland | GmbH / AG | CHF 20,000 / 100,000 | ~12–20% | Holding, finance, non-EU low tax |
| Liechtenstein | AG | CHF 50,000 | low | Wealth and holding structures |
Switzerland and Liechtenstein sit outside the EU, so they suit holding and finance more than single-market trade. If you want the lowest entry capital with EU access, see buy a GmbH in Austria; for a Swiss option, see buy a shelf company in Switzerland. For most Singapore founders selling into Europe, a German GmbH remains the practical pick. For a side-by-side of the German forms, see types of companies in Germany.
What it costs and what’s included
Many providers either hide their prices or quote a single “from” figure. We prefer to show the logic. It helps to see the price as two parts: what is built into every purchase, and the optional extras you choose.
| Always included | Optional extras |
|---|---|
| The statutory share capital (€25,000 for a GmbH) | A business bank account |
| Notarial fees for the share transfer | A VAT number |
| Commercial register fees | A virtual office or registered address |
| The full set of company documents and the transfer | A nominee or local managing director |
| An aged company, or ongoing tax and compliance support |
A key point: the share capital is not a fee. It belongs to the company and works in its business once you own it, so a large part of any honest price is simply your own capital. For a full breakdown of the cost drivers, see our shelf company cost guide, and contact us for a transparent quote.
Ongoing compliance and after-sale support
Buying the company is the start, not the finish. A German GmbH carries real ongoing obligations that most sellers never mention, and we stay with you for them: bookkeeping and accounting to German standards, annual financial statements and their filing, corporate income tax, trade tax and VAT returns, and keeping the register and beneficial-owner entries current when anything changes. For an owner managing the company from Singapore, having a local team handle these filings is what keeps the entity in good standing year after year.
Do you need a visa or to move to Germany?
Owning a German company does not require a visa. You can hold the shares and even act as director from Singapore. A residence permit only comes into play if you want to live in Germany and run the business there in person.
If relocation is the goal, two routes are common. The self-employment residence permit under §21 of the Residence Act lets an entrepreneur live in Germany to run their own business, subject to an economic-interest and financing assessment. Alternatively, an owner who takes a genuine salaried managing-director role can qualify for the EU Blue Card if the salary meets the threshold, which for 2026 is €50,700 gross a year, or €45,934.20 for shortage occupations and recent graduates. Our guide to the business visa through company ownership explains how the routes fit together. Whether you stay in Singapore or relocate, the purchase itself works the same way. This is general information, not immigration advice.
Why buy through Müller Konsult
There is no shortage of websites selling German companies, but a GmbH is a real legal entity carrying real obligations, so who you buy it from matters. Our work is led by a corporate lawyer, grounded in the GmbHG sections cited throughout this page rather than marketing claims. Every company is verified clean before transfer, our pricing is transparent rather than a vague “from” figure, and we handle the cross-border paperwork a Singapore buyer needs, including remote completion by power of attorney and the apostille of your Singapore documents. You deal with a named, accountable adviser with a real office in Düsseldorf, not an anonymous form. If you would rather start from scratch, we also handle company formation in Germany, and our guide on how to buy a company in Germany as a foreigner walks through the steps in more detail. Founders elsewhere in Asia can also see our pages for India and the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Singaporean own a company in Germany?
Yes. There is no nationality or residency requirement to own a German GmbH. A Singapore citizen, a permanent resident, or a Singapore company can hold all the shares while remaining based in Singapore.
Do I need to live in Germany or the EU to own one?
No. Ownership and residence are separate. You can own and even direct the company from Singapore; a residence permit is only needed if you want to live in Germany and run it there in person.
Can I buy the company remotely from Singapore?
Yes. The purchase is completed by power of attorney, so a representative attends the German notary on your behalf and you do not need to travel.
Is sending money out of Singapore for this restricted?
Singapore operates an open capital account with no foreign-exchange controls on outbound investment, so there is no special cap on the transfer. The funds move through your Singapore bank, which handles the usual reporting and source-of-funds checks.
Will I be taxed twice, in Singapore and Germany?
The German company pays German tax; the comprehensive Singapore-Germany double-taxation treaty is designed to prevent the same income being taxed twice. Your exact position should be confirmed with a cross-border tax adviser.
What is Singapore’s corporate tax compared with Germany’s?
Singapore levies a flat 17% corporate tax, while a German GmbH faces an effective rate of roughly 30%. Singapore’s one-tier system also exempts dividends in the shareholder’s hands.
What is the minimum share capital?
€25,000 under GmbHG §5, with at least €12,500 paid in before registration under §7. In a shelf company the capital is already paid in and verified.
Is a notary required?
Yes. Under GmbHG §15 a share transfer must be recorded in notarial form, so every GmbH purchase involves a notarial act, which we arrange remotely for buyers in Singapore.
What do I need to provide for KYC?
Identification of the beneficial owners, details of the incoming director and shareholders, the business purpose, and proof of address. If a Singapore company is buying, its corporate documents and ownership chain, apostilled where required.
Can I get a German bank account from Singapore?
Banking from abroad takes preparation. Many Singapore buyers choose a company with an account already in place, or use a local director to satisfy the bank, and we help open an account where needed.
Can it come with a VAT number, and does that save time?
Yes. A VAT-registered company lets you invoice and trade across the EU immediately, instead of waiting for a fresh VAT registration that can take time.
Should I buy in Germany, Austria or Switzerland?
Germany suits EU market access and trade; Austria offers lower entry capital with EU access; Switzerland and Liechtenstein suit holding and lower-tax structures outside the EU. We help match the jurisdiction to your goals.
Can my Singapore company own the German GmbH?
Yes. A Singapore-incorporated company can hold the shares. We need its corporate documents and ownership chain, apostilled where required, to complete the transfer and the beneficial-owner filings.
Do I need an apostille for my documents?
Singapore is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so Singapore public documents used in Germany are legalised by apostille through the designated Singapore authority, rather than by full consular legalisation.
How long does the purchase take?
Once your documents are ready and KYC is cleared, full handover is usually a few days after the notary appointment. Timing depends mainly on how quickly identity and corporate documents are reviewed.
Do I need a visa, or can I move to Germany later?
Owning shares needs no visa. To relocate and run the business in person, the §21 self-employment permit or, in a salaried director role, the EU Blue Card are the common routes.
What does the price include, and what costs extra?
Always included: the statutory share capital, notarial and register fees, and all company documents. Optional extras: a bank account, VAT number, virtual office, nominee director, an aged company, and ongoing tax support.
What ongoing obligations does the company have after I buy it?
A GmbH must keep accounts, file annual financial statements and tax returns, and keep its register and beneficial-owner entries current. We can handle all of it on your behalf from Germany.
Official sources
- German Limited Liability Companies Act (GmbHG), official English text — gesetze-im-internet.de
- German Commercial Register (Handelsregister) — handelsregister.de
- Transparency register (Transparenzregister) — transparenzregister.de
- Monetary Authority of Singapore — mas.gov.sg
Ready to buy a European company from Singapore?
Contact Müller Konsult for a clean, ready-made German or DACH company, completed remotely. We assess your goals, propose the right entity, and guide you through every step on the European side. Müller Konsult · Königsallee 27, 40212 Düsseldorf · +49 211 5403 8800 · info@gmbhforsale.com · Request a callback
Reviewed by Stefan Stelthove, Corporate & Commercial Lawyer, Müller Konsult. Last updated 7 June 2026. This is general information, not tax, legal or immigration advice.
Related: GmbH for sale · How to buy a company in Germany as a foreigner · Shelf company Germany · Buy a company from India · Buy a European company from the UAE
