Decades of corporate expertise serving international clients in Germany.
– Shelf companies (Vorratsgesellschaften)
– Holding structures
– Customized company structuring
Doing Business in Germany starts here
FORIS German Desk supports international companies with their company setup in Germany. We also handle administration, interim management and local market expertise – as your single point of contact for a legally secure market entry.
- Available immediately
- Trusted experts
- Personal support
- All-in-one solutions
THE CHALLENGEStarting a business in Germany: rarely as straightforward as it looks
While the financial barriers are low, international leadership teams frequently underestimate the operational and legal complexity of a German market entry. The result: delays, unnecessary costs and stalled launches.
Our ServicesMarket entry in Germany with FORIS
Whether you are leading the market entry yourself or advising a client on their expansion into Germany, our services are built for both. From company setup to operational launch – we cover the full spectrum of services international companies need to establish a legally sound and efficient German presence. Company setup, supplementary corporate and administrative services, a registered business address, ongoing compliance and tax services – every building block of your German subsidiary is covered. Plus, when local leadership is needed early, our interim managing director service keeps your market entry in Germany moving.
WHY FORISYour trusted partner for your German market entry
FORIS positions itself as your long-term partner for a successful and legally secure presence in Germany — beyond the initial formation.
The process4 Steps: From inquiry to your operational company in Germany
No matter how complex your entity structure, each step stays clear and predictable – so there are no surprises for you or your client.
“Entering the German market involves many interconnected steps. From incorporation and banking to tax and compliance. As a single point of contact, we coordinate the entire process and make your market entry as smooth and efficient as possible.”
Christian Schon
Managing Director
- Qualified German lawyer (Rechtsanwalt), admitted since 2016
- 10+ years advising international clients on German corporate structures, transactions and restructurings
- Years of experience advising international clients, combining strategic expertise with a deep understanding of diverse markets, cultures, and business environments
- A proven track record in guiding market-entry strategies and complex cross-border projects, from initial planning to successful execution
Why GermanyDoing business in Germany: Europe’s most strategic and demanding market
Germany combines unmatched economic weight with one of the world’s most structured regulatory environments. For international companies, that means significant opportunity – but only with the right local foundation.
For companies expanding across Europe, Germany is rarely optional: it is the continent’s largest consumer market, a central logistics hub, and home to some of the world’s most reliable legal and financial infrastructure. The same structure that makes Germany attractive – clear rules, strong institutions, dependable courts – is also what makes a hands-off approach risky. Success depends less on market potential and more on getting the local setup right from day one.
CONTACTLet’s discuss your German market entry
Book a non-binding initial consultation with our German Desk team. We’ll map your situation and outline a clear path forward — typically within 30 minutes.
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Every market entry is unique – let’s design yours.
Holding structures, regulated industries, M&A entries or multi-country rollouts – our FORIS German Desk scopes a bespoke solution around your business model and timeline.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about company formation in Germany
By purchasing a shelf company, you are immediately ready to act. Setting up a company always involves risks and, above all, takes time.
As a founder, you are dependent on authorities such as the commercial register, banks or the notary’s office. Sometimes an entry in the commercial register can take up to 2 weeks. Banks require a lot of documents and paperwork to be completed to open an account. It takes even longer until the account is actually opened.
By purchasing a shelf company, such steps are partially removed. At FORIS, these procedures have been standardized so that we can set up companies quickly, Moreover, all the companies on offer are already established i.e., registered in the commercial register. A FORIS shelf company is usually ready for take over within 24 hours and gives founders more time for other things
No, international founders and shareholders can form and manage a German company from abroad. FORIS can provide a local interim managing director if a German-based representative is required.
Yes, formation, compliance, and advisory services can be managed without you needing to travel to Germany. Only specific notary steps may require local presence or power of attorney – if that’s the case, we’ll let you know early and exactly what’s needed, so there are no last-minute surprises.
When founding and registering a company, you as the founder have to master numerous procedures to be able to act. Several business trips to the place of incorporation are often necessary for submitting all the required signatures. The time involved may jeopardize a transaction that has been scheduled.
By purchasing a shelf company, you are acquiring an already existing and registered company, these obstacles are dealt with in one step. You are immediately able to act without personal liability, whereas with an incorporation you would have to wait for the registration to be entered in the commercial register. Likewise, this can also take several days.
The purchase of a shelf company avoids taking over unanticipated legacy burdens, unlike purchasing a company that has already been trading.
In addition, you can take over companies free of formation risks. When buying a shelf company, liability protection exists from the beginning. When a company is founded, there is a liability risk until it is entered in the commercial register.
The formation of FORIS shelf companies always follow a proven and legally secure procedure. You also benefit from our experience of over 10,000 company formations.
Yes, all our shelf companies are registered in the commercial register. This is the biggest advantage of a shelf company.
Yes, but unfortunately this is not possible before acquiring the company. However, after purchase you can change the name of your acquired shelf company as well as the registered office in any way you wish.
This is even expressly desired and takes place at the notary appointment and is part of the registration of changes entered in the commercial register and the ensuing commencement of operations.
Costs for company formation in Germany vary by entity type, industry and scope, plus separate notary and official fees. You can book a consultation, and we’ll get you a transparent, tailored quote.