How Much Does a Shelf Company Cost in Germany?
The honest answer is that the price depends on what you buy, so rather than quote a single figure this guide does two things competitors rarely do: it gives indicative 2026 market prices by entity, and it breaks the cost into its real components so you can compare any offer properly. One clarification first: this is the European, DACH cost picture, not the US “shelf corporation under $500 / credit package” market, which is a different product entirely.
The short answer: what makes up the price
The total you pay for a German shelf company is built from five parts:
- Share capital of the company.
- Notary fees for the share transfer.
- Commercial register fees for updating the entry.
- Provider service fee for sourcing, due diligence, and handling the transfer.
- Optional add-ons (bank account, VAT number, registered office, nominee director, an aged company, ongoing tax support).
The first three are largely fixed by law and the official tariff; the last two vary by provider and by what you need.
- €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.
Indicative market prices (2026)
These are typical all-in figures advertised by German shelf-company providers, including the statutory share capital. They are indicative third-party market ranges from our research, not our own fixed quote; your price depends on the entity, jurisdiction, age, and extras.
| Entity | Statutory capital | Typical all-in market price |
|---|---|---|
| UG (mini-GmbH) | from €1 (low) | ~€1,900–2,500 |
| GmbH | €25,000 | ~€27,850–28,500 |
| GmbH & Co. KG | €25,000 + partner contribution | ~€29,400–30,500 |
| AG (stock corporation) | €50,000 | ~€55,500–56,500 |
| SE (Societas Europaea) | €120,000 | ~€135,000 |
Read these carefully: a GmbH “costing” around €28,000 is mostly the €25,000 of share capital. Strip that out and the service component is roughly €1,500–3,500, which is the part that actually pays for the work.
Share capital, and why it’s not a fee
This is the figure set by statute and the single biggest line in any honest price. A German GmbH has a minimum share capital of €25,000 (GmbHG §5), of which at least €12,500 must be paid in before registration (§7). Crucially, this money is not a fee — it belongs to the company and can be used in its business once you own it. If you want a lower entry, a UG (mini-GmbH) can be formed with far less capital (GmbHG §5a), which is why it is the cheapest German company to buy.
Notary and register fees
Buying a GmbH requires a notarised share transfer (GmbHG §15), and updating the managing director and ownership in the commercial register (Handelsregister) carries official fees. A notary appointment for a share transfer is commonly in the region of a few hundred up to around a thousand euros depending on the transaction, and these follow set tariffs rather than being negotiable. They apply whether you buy a shelf company or form a new one.
Provider service fee
This is the part that differs between providers. It covers sourcing a clean company, running due diligence, drafting the share purchase agreement, coordinating the notary, and managing the register update and KYC. Across the market it sits roughly in the €1,500–3,500 range for a GmbH. When you compare offers, compare what is actually included rather than the headline number, because some “low” prices exclude essentials and some “from” prices exclude the capital altogether.
Optional add-ons
These are the main reason two quotes look very different:
- Bank account — a shelf company with a bank account costs more because the banking setup and compliance are included.
- VAT number — a company with a VAT number saves the registration wait.
- Virtual office / registered address, nominee director, and ongoing tax and accounting.
- Aged company — an older registration date carries a premium that rises with age.
What drives the total
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction (DE, AT, CH, LI) | Different capital rules and fee tariffs |
| Entity type (UG, GmbH, AG, SE) | Higher-capital entities cost more |
| Age of the company | Older = scarcer = premium |
| Bank account included | Adds banking setup and compliance cost |
| Extra services (VAT, office, nominee, tax) | Each adds to the total |
Germany versus Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein
Costs differ across the DACH region because each country has its own capital requirement, currency, and fees. The statutory capital alone sets a floor:
| Country | Entity | Minimum capital |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | GmbH | €25,000 |
| Austria | GmbH | €10,000 |
| Switzerland | GmbH / AG | CHF 20,000 / CHF 100,000 |
| Liechtenstein | AG | CHF 50,000 |
Austria is the cheapest euro entry since its 2024 reform; an Austrian shelf GmbH is advertised around €13,400 including its €10,000 capital. Switzerland and Liechtenstein use the Swiss franc and have higher capital floors. Compare the all-in quote for the specific entity you need rather than assuming one country is always cheaper. See Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
Want an exact figure for your case? 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.
Buying versus forming: the cost picture
Forming a new GmbH can look cheaper on paper because there is no provider markup, only the official and notarial fees plus the capital. A shelf company adds the service fee in exchange for speed and a ready-to-use entity. We compare the two in shelf company vs new company, and the full buying picture is on shelf company Germany.
How to get an accurate quote
Tell us four things and we can price precisely: the jurisdiction, the entity type, whether you need a bank account, and any extras such as VAT, an older date, or tax support. We then give you a transparent, all-inclusive figure with no hidden charges.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a shelf company cost in Germany?
A GmbH is typically around €27,850–28,500 all-in including the €25,000 capital, so the service component is roughly €1,500–3,500. A UG is cheaper, about €1,900–2,500. These are indicative market figures; ask us for an exact quote.
Is the share capital part of the price?
The €25,000 (GmbHG §5) is required, but it belongs to the company and is not a fee; you can use it in the business once you own the company.
What is the cheapest German company to buy?
A UG (mini-GmbH), because its required share capital is much lower than a GmbH’s.
Why do prices vary so much between providers?
Mainly because of what is included: bank account, VAT number, registered office, nominee, and tax support all change the total, and some quote “from” prices that exclude the capital.
Does a company with a bank account cost more?
Yes, because the banking setup and compliance work are included.
Is an aged company more expensive?
Yes. Older registration dates are scarcer, so they carry a premium that rises with age.
Are notary and register fees negotiable?
No. They follow official tariffs and apply to any GmbH transfer or formation.
How much is the notary for a share transfer?
Commonly a few hundred up to around a thousand euros depending on the transaction; it follows the official tariff.
Is it cheaper to form a new GmbH than to buy a shelf company?
Forming can be cheaper but slower; a shelf company adds a service fee in exchange for speed and certainty.
How do German costs compare with Switzerland and Austria?
Austria has the lowest euro capital (€10,000); Switzerland and Liechtenstein use higher CHF floors. Compare the all-in quote per country.
What is the difference from a US shelf corporation price?
US “shelf corporations” are often aged entities sold cheaply for credit-building; a German shelf GmbH includes €25,000 of real, paid-in capital, a different proposition.
How much does an SE cost?
Around €135,000, reflecting its €120,000 minimum subscribed capital.
What does your price include?
The statutory capital, notarial and register fees, and all company documents and transfer costs; extras like banking and VAT are priced transparently on top.
Are there hidden costs?
Not with us. We quote all-inclusive. Watch for “from” prices elsewhere that exclude the capital or essential steps.
Official sources
- German Limited Liability Companies Act (GmbHG) — gesetze-im-internet.de
- German Commercial Register (Handelsregister) — handelsregister.de
Indicative market prices are drawn from publicly advertised figures of German shelf-company providers (2026) and are for comparison only; they are not our quote.
Müller Konsult · Königsallee 27, 40212 Düsseldorf, Germany · +49 211 5403 8800 · info@gmbhforsale.com · Request a callback
Reviewed by Stefan Stelthove, Corporate & Commercial Lawyer, Müller Konsult. Last updated 7 June 2026.
Related: Shelf company Germany · GmbH for sale · Buy a UG (mini-GmbH) · Shelf company vs new company · Shelf company with bank account
