Start your German business in just 5 days with GmbH Tax Services
Why does launching a business in Germany as an expat feel like an endless game of paperwork, bank meetings, and waiting? The answer is that it actually is exactly that: a classic “hurry up and wait” situation. But does it have to be, or do faster, cleaner routes exist?
GmbH Tax Services can help you start operating a fully registered German company in days, not months. By using a Vorratsgesellschaft, or a shelf company, you can make use of a company that is pre-built, government-verified, and ready for immediate use.
Is a Vorratsgesellschaft right for you?
How do you know if a shelf entity is a good option for you? Take this 60-second, self-scoring assessment from GmbH Tax Services to find out. Score yourself based on the following:
- Do you absolutely need to start business activity within 30 days? (If "yes", give yourself 3 points)
- Are you a non-EU citizen or do you lack local bank relationships? (If "yes", give yourself 3 points)
- Can you invest €28.000 - €30.000 up front (including share capital and fees)? (If "yes", give yourself 3 points)
- Do you already have contracts/funds that hinge on company registration? (If "yes", give yourself 3 points)
9–12 points: A shelf company is almost always the correct path in these cases.
5–8 points: You'll need to weigh your desire for speed against your tolerance for cost.
0–4 points: A traditional German business setup is likely a better fit for you.
What exactly is a shelf company?
A Vorratsgesellschaft is simply a GmbH formed and “stored on the shelf”. It’s legally established, fully funded and just waiting for a buyer. Unlike a so-called Mantelgesellschaft, which might have a “past”, a true shelf GmbH has had zero actual business operations in its past. No hidden risks, no skeletons. Or, at least, that's the promise.
You’re buying:
- A GmbH entity, clean and government-registered
- €25.000 share capital (already paid in, sitting in the corporate account)
- A functioning business bank account
- No legal or tax mess - guaranteed by provider contracts
- Standard (but modifiable) governing articles
That €25.000 is not a “pure cost” - it becomes your company’s own working balance, and stays available for you after closing.
GmbH Tax Services helps you set up your business the right way for you.
Why company formation is so hard for expats
Why do non-German residents face obstacles that locals barely even see? There are three main problems:
- The bank barrier: Did you know German banks turn down about 60% of foreign founders? No address, no credit score - the list goes on.
- Administrative overload: People say, “German efficiency”. But the numbers tell another story. The government’s own figures show new startups typically spend more than nine hours managing forms, appointments and confusion. As an expat without experience? Expect that number to double or triple: it’s not unusual to lose over 40 hours just to get to day one.
- The delayed reality: Officials claim you can register in seven to eight business days. For expats, it is usually much more: four to eight weeks is normal, but two to three months isn’t rare. Why? Usually because of bank delays, document mistakes, and catching up with the rules you didn’t even know you were breaking.
Whichever form of German business you decide to go with, GmbH Tax Services helps make sure you are following proper procedure from the beginning, ensuring your business is ready to go as quickly as possible.
How does the 5-step shelf company process work?
Want to get specific? Here’s what the fast lane looks like (not always in five days, but in five clear steps):
- Step 1: You pick out your company online, fill in your background, and send payment. Expect to part with around €28.500 in total.
- Step 2: The provider double-checks your data, compiles the legal paperwork and forwards it to the notary.
- Step 3: You attend, sign the purchase contract, update business details (name/regions/directors and so on), and, following notarisation, you get full legal access to your new GmbH.
- Step 4: Start the account handover, trigger trade/business registrations, file for a tax ID.
- Step 5: You gain bank control, and you’re good to go! Your business is operational.
Advantages beyond speed
For what reasons beyond getting trading quickly do serious founders use shelf companies? Here’s a few other advantages of a Vorratsgesellschaft:
- Banking approval: There is an 89% success rate for account transfer, compared to only 31% for starting from scratch as an expat.
- Immediate legal power: Your limited liability protection is real. You’re safe from the start - there is no lag period where you’re personally on the hook, unlike “classic” formation.
- Revenue acceleration: Over 75% of shelf buyers invoice within the first two weeks (compared to zero for those waiting for bank and tax office approval).
A real-world case: The opportunity-cost calculation
Sarah, an expat marketing consultant, secured a €180.000 contract but only had three weeks to register a GmbH. How did she do it?
- Monday: Reserved her shelf GmbH, paid €28.500
- Tuesday: Paperwork done
- Wednesday: Notary appointment - Sarah is now the German company owner.
- Thursday: Bank processed her KYC, trade registration sent in.
- Friday: Sarah’s company submitted the tax registration form - and she closed the €180.000 contract.
The outcome? €45.000 revenue from Q1 alone. With traditional registration? She’d have lost the deal, all for about €3.500 extra “speed premium”. She made that back immediately.
What does a shelf GmbH cost?
Expect a total outlay of €28.000 - €30.000. That includes:
- €25.000 capital (your assets – the company holds this right away)
- €2.500 - €5.000 to the shelf company provider (their profit/safety margin)
- €700 - €1.500 in legal/notary/registration fees
Trying to calculate your return-on-investment? If you can earn an average of €500 per week, a six-week speed advantage pays for itself, easily - often twice over. Then the premium becomes more of an “early mover” fee, and for expats with real revenue, it doesn’t sting for long. Talking to GmbH Tax Services can help you to compare the relative costs and benefits of a shelf GmbH for your situation.
The risk matrix and picking a provider
So, is there a catch? There can be. Dirty companies (those with debts or tax issues) do exist. This makes selecting your provider one of the most important factors in the process.
What should you look for?
- A written, legally-binding guarantee that your company is clean and unused
- No hidden costs - transparent, up-front pricing
- A law firm and notary are involved (not just an online broker)
- A willingness to show full legal documents before any transfer
Red flags to look for include those advertising with phrases such as "GmbH for less than €27.000” or “ready-made without capital” (which is impossible), no pre-purchase files or evasive answers when you ask about compliance.
GmbH Tax Services helps to vet prospective providers, making sure that you get what you pay for, with no nasty surprises.
Who will benefit from a shelf company?
- Anyone with a real contract or profit waiting on registration
- Expats stuck on the bank step or who have been told “no” before
- Consultants, specialists or deal-makers earning more than €5.000 weekly
- Global firms that need a valid German subsidiary fast
- Any business where a lost week means lost opportunity and cash
Who is bettter suited to a traditional company formation?
- Tight-budget startups more worried about money than time lost
- Companies needing unusual/bespoke legal structures
- Heavily regulated business types (if the licence takes months, speed won’t help)
- Anyone happy to wait and with no immediate revenue at stake
How GmbH Tax Services helps
A shelf GmbH means paying extra for speed, safety, and, usually, certainty. But does that mean you should just buy from the first website that pops up? No. Make sure you talk to GmbH Tax Services and have them check: Is the shelf GmbH route a fit for what you want? Is the provider clean, and are the documents legit? What steps do you need to take after buying to stay compliant?
Not only can they keep you and your money safe, they will also explain all the paperwork and make sure you have all the right documentation without any uncertainty and stress.
Your next steps:
- Run the assessment. Are you the ideal shelf company buyer?
- Find 3–5 vetted providers. Ask questions and push for real answers.
- Get GmbH Tax Specialists to review the product before you pay.
- Get full documentation and a written guarantee.
- Map out a compliance/update plan for after the transfer.
Germany is full of opportunites for the bold and informed. A Vorratsgesellschaft, used correctly, knocks out red tape and lets you hustle now - not next quarter.
Are you ready to get moving on your German business plan? If you are, talk to the expert advisors at GmbH Tax Services and start today!