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Business notification; business registration
If you want to start a permanent business, you must notify the authorities. You must also report the start of operation of a branch office or dependent branch, as well as the relocation of the business.
Forms
Forms
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Business registration with filling assistantYou can use this form to register, deregister or re-register a business. An online completion wizard will assist you in filling out the form. When you have entered all the information, the completed form will be provided in PDF format.
This form can be submitted electronically without signature (e.g. via a secure contact form or by e-mail) or in paper form to the responsible authority.
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Business deregistration according to § 14 GewO or § 55c GewO
This form can be submitted electronically without signature (e.g. via a secure contact form or by e-mail) or in paper form to the responsible authority.
Responsible for you
For contact details of the responsible authoritiy and local valid information select under "Select location" a location.
Procedure details
Description
Before starting an independent commercial activity, it is generally only necessary to notify the competent Chamber of Industry and Commerce or Chamber of Crafts or the municipality in which the activity is carried out (Section 14 (1) sentence 1 of the Trade, Commerce and Industry Regulation Act - GewO). If vending machines of any kind are set up as an independent business, notification must be submitted to the competent authority of the main establishment (§ 14 Para. 3 GewO).
A trade is any self-employed activity that is not socially unworthy, aimed at making a profit and intended to be permanent, with the exception of primary production (e.g. agriculture), liberal professions (free scientific, artistic and literary activities of a higher nature as well as personal services that require higher education) and the mere administration and use of one's own assets.
Every natural person (e.g. also partners in partnerships) or legal entity that starts a business (main establishment) and the start of operation of a branch or dependent branch office is subject to notification.
In the case of trades requiring a permit (e.g. real estate agents, catering trade) and craft activities, a permit or entry in the register of craftsmen is also required in addition to the business registration.
Although certain trades do not require a permit, they are subject to special official supervision (so-called trades requiring supervision in accordance with Section 38 GewO). The following trades are affected:
- Purchase and sale of
a) high-quality consumer goods, in particular consumer electronics, computers, optical products, cameras, video cameras, carpets, fur and leather clothing;
b) motor vehicles and bicycles;
c) precious metals and alloys containing precious metals as well as goods made of precious metals or alloys containing precious metals;
d) precious stones, pearls and jewelry; or
e) scrap metals, provided they do not fall under letter c,
by companies specializing in the trade in second-hand goods; - provision of information on financial circumstances and personal matters (credit agencies, detective agencies);
- arranging marriages, partnerships and acquaintances;
- Operation of travel agencies and brokerage of accommodation;
- Distribution and installation of building security equipment, including locksmith services; and
- manufacture and distribution of special theft-related opening tools.
When registering a business requiring supervision, the reliability of the business operator is checked immediately. The applicant is therefore obliged to apply for a certificate of good conduct (§ 30 Para. 5 Federal Central Register Act) and information from the central trade register (§ 150 Para. 5 GewO) for submission to the authorities.
The foreign applicant is obliged to provide comparable proof of good conduct (official certificate of good conduct or good character or an extract from the criminal record of their home country or an equivalent document). If, based on the foreigner's previous residence, it can be assumed that the aforementioned certificates and proofs no longer or not yet contain facts of significance under trade law, the foreign or German certificates may be waived.
Travel trade activities for which a travel trade license is required are not subject to notification. On the other hand, some activities that do not require a travel trade license (e.g. sale of printed works in public places, sale of food from non-stationary points of sale) must be notified (Section 55c GewO).
Requirements
- Age of majority or authorization from the guardianship court
- for non-EU citizens: residence permit allowing the exercise of self-employed activity
Required documents
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Identity card or passport (copy)
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For legal entities: Excerpt from the commercial register or comparable registration documents from abroad (including a certified translation into the German language)
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For BGB companies: Articles of association
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For limited liability companies in the course of incorporation: a certified copy of the notarized memorandum of association and a power of attorney by the incorporators stating that the commercial activities will be commenced even prior to the limited liability company's registration in the commercial register.
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For trades or businesses requiring special supervision: Certificate of good conduct and extract from the Central Register of Trade and Industrial Offenses (if necessary, the written certificates of reliability may be replaced by an affidavit or similar acts)
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Minors: Authorization of the legal representative(s) and approval of the family court
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Authorization: Written power of attorney and the ID cards of both the grantor of the power of attorney and the grantee of the power of attorney
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for non-EU citizens: residence permit that allows self-employment
Proceedings
The business registration can be submitted in text form using the form provided to the municipality in which the activity is carried out or to the competent Chamber of Industry and Commerce or Chamber of Crafts. If a competent authority provides an online procedure, the business registration can be submitted electronically via this procedure.
Other authorities (e.g. tax office, Chamber of Crafts or Chamber of Industry and Commerce) are also informed about the business registration.
Fees
EUR 25 to EUR 100 in accordance with the Schedule of Costs under the Costs Act (Tariff No. 5.III.5/2.)
Deadlines
The notification must be made before the start of the commercial activity.
Legal bases
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§ 14 Gewerbeordnung (GewO), insb. Abs. 5 Satz 2 und Abs. 7Anzeigepflicht
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§ 15 Abs. 1 Gewerbeordnung (GewO)Empfangsbescheinigung, Betrieb ohne Zulassung
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§ 38 Gewerbeordnung (GewO)Überwachungsbedürftige Gewerbe
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§ 55c Gewerbeordnung (GewO)Anzeigepflicht
Appeal
Administrative court action
Related links
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Steuerinfos für Existenzgründer auf der Internetseite des Bayerischen Landesamts für SteuernSteuerliche Informationen und Formulare für die Existenzgründung und weitere nützliche Links
Related issues
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Business start-ups; advice and support
You can find out about advice and funding opportunities for business founders via the "Gründerland Bayern" portal and, for example, from the district administrative authorities.
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Restaurant license; application
If you want to operate a restaurant business serving alcoholic beverages, you need a restaurant permit. If you operate a restaurant requiring a permit through a deputy, you need a deputy permit.
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Occasional offering for sale of goods; application for a permit
If you would like to offer goods for immediate sale on a special occasion, such as a public festival, trade fair or market, you will need a permit from the competent authority. A travel trade license is not required.
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Business registration; business deregistration
If you give up or relocate your business, you must report this.
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Business registration; business registration by EU citizensIf you want to start a permanent business, you must notify the authorities. You must also report the start of operation of a branch office or dependent branch, as well as the relocation of the business.
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Business registration; business registration by non-EU citizensIf you want to start a permanent business, you must notify the authorities. You must also report the start of operation of a branch office or dependent branch, as well as the relocation of the business.
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Business registration; business re-registrationSignificant changes to the commercial activity and the relocation of the business within the municipality must be reported.
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Real estate agents; application for a license by EU citizens
If you want to broker the conclusion of contracts for land, land rights, commercial premises or residential premises on a commercial basis or prove the opportunity to conclude such contracts (real estate agent), you need a license.
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Real estate agents, loan brokers, property developers, building supervisors and residential property managers; application for a license
If you want to broker real estate or loan agreements commercially, manage residential properties commercially or prepare and carry out construction projects, you need an official permit.
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Real estate agents, loan brokers, property developers, building supervisors and residential property managers; application for a permit by non-EU citizens
Non-EU citizens who wish to act as real estate agents, loan brokers, property developers, building supervisors and/or residential property managers require a business license(s).
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Travel trade; notification of an activity not requiring a permitCertain travel trade activities that do not require a permit must be reported to the responsible municipality.
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Travel trade; application for a permit
If you wish to sell or purchase goods, offer services or operate as a showman on a commercial basis outside/without having a commercial establishment, you generally need a permit (traveling trade license).
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Tax return; electronic transmissionTax returns (e.g. income tax, VAT and trade tax returns) can be submitted electronically to the tax authorities.
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Straußwirtschaft; AdvertisementIf you wish to operate a wine tavern, you must notify the responsible municipality at least two weeks before the start of operations.
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register a company or self-employed activity for tax
If you start a business, take an interest in a business or become self-employed, you must inform the tax office.
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Auctioneer trade; application for a licenseIf you want to auction off third-party movable property, third-party land or third-party rights on a commercial basis, you need a permit.
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Auctioneering trade; application for a license by EU citizensIf you want to auction off third-party movable property, third-party land or third-party rights on a commercial basis, you need a permit.
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Auctioneering trade; application for a license by non-EU citizensIf you want to auction off third-party movable property, third-party land or third-party rights on a commercial basis, you need a permit.
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Business Identification Number; Application
When you start an economic activity, you will be provided with a business identification number (W-IdNr.).
Status: 09.04.2025
Editorial responsibility Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie
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