BERLINEN
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  1. ServicePortal Berlin
  2. Services
  3. Wirtschaft
  4. Register a trade

Register a trade

Gewerbe anmelden
Official English page German-only parts machine-translated, 2026-09-15
Aktuelle Hinweise zu dieser Dienstleistung Notice regarding a delay in processing Due to a technical fault, business registrations submitted via BundID between 27 August 2026 and 3 September 2026 could not be transferred to the specialist IT system. Work is currently underway to find a solution to retroactively transfer these business registrations to the specialist IT system for processing. As a result, there are unfortunately delays in processing these cases. We ask for your patience and understanding. Please note: By submitting your business registration, you have already fulfilled your obligation under Section 14(1) of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO). You may commence your business activities immediately after registration. However, this does not apply to activities for which an official licence is required. The confirmation of your business registration is not an administrative act, but merely a notification that your registration has been received. You will not face any adverse consequences under trade law as a result of the delayed processing. Note on postal delivery! Please note that due to a current system change in the commercial departments of Berlin's public order offices, your business registrations - without using a BundID account - must be confirmed by mail. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Book an appointment

Book an appointment (service.berlin.de)

Requirements

• You want to run a business. Traders are natural persons or legal entities (joint-stock company, limited liability company, registered cooperative or registered association, partnership limited by shares). The following must be notified: • Sole traders: the sole trader, • Partnerships (e.g. OHG, GbR): the managing partners, • KG: each personally liable partner, the limited partners of a KG only if they have management authority. • Corporations (e.g. GmbH, AG): the legal representatives (managing directors, board of directors). • The trade registration must be done at the same time as the start of the business. The obligation to notify exists only if it is a commercial activity.

Documents you need

• Trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung) Possible online; or you can use the business registration form. • Identity document Identity card or other official identification document with photo (not required for electronic application). Residence permit if the applicant is not a national of an EU country. • Up-to-date excerpt from the Trade Register Registered companies are required to submit an up to date excerpt from the Trade Register. Legal entities that are in the process of being established (GmbH, AG, UG) are required to submit a notarised copy of their partnership agreement or statutes as well as statements of approval by their associates. • Declaration of consent of the shareholders Only for business notifications of legal entities in the process of formation • Supplement for authorised representatives In the case of trade registrations for legal entities with multiple representatives

Forms

• Trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung) www.berlin.de/formularverzeichnis/?formular=/wirtschaft/gewe • Supplement to the application for authorised representatives www.berlin.de/formularverzeichnis/?formular=/wirtschaft/gewe • Declaration of consent of the shareholders www.berlin.de/formularverzeichnis/?formular=/wirtschaft/gewe

Fees

• EUR 26.00 - per single person company, per associate for business partnerships • EUR 31.00 - legal entity with one legal representative • EUR 13.00 - for each additional representative of a legal entity • EUR 15.00 - trade registration via electronic process (online processing)

Legal basis

• Trade Regulations (GewO) § 14 Sec. 1 - Duty of disclosure www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gewo/__14.html • Trade Regulations (GewO) § 15 - Acknowledgement of receipt www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gewo/__15.html • Trade Regulations (GewO) § 11 - Data processing www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gewo/__11.html • Trade Regulations (GewO) § 6 Sec. 1 - Scope of application www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gewo/__6.html • Trade Registration Ordinance (Gewerbeanzeigeverordnung or GewAnzV) www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gewanzv_2014/ • Schedule of Administrative Fees (Verwaltungsgebührenordnung (VGebO)) gesetze.berlin.de/bsbe/document/jlr-VwGebOBE2009rahmen

Further information

• Information sheet on trade registration (IHK Berlin) www.ihk.de/berlin/service-und-beratung/recht-und-steuern/gew • Information sheet on residence and employment of foreign nationals (IHK Berlin) www.ihk.de/blueprint/servlet/resource/blob/2253222/70ba0d844 • Information sheet for companies and employees from other EU countries (IHK Berlin) www.ihk.de/blueprint/servlet/resource/blob/2253224/00fac9d00 • Note on data protection (public order offices of the state of Berlin) www.berlin.de/formularverzeichnis/?formular=/wirtschaft/gewe • Trade - register a trade requiring supervision (service) service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/148182/en/ • Overview - trades requiring a permit (Einheitlicher Ansprechpartner Berlin) www.berlin.de/ea/ihr-anliegen/gruenden/artikel.765199.php • Information sheet on money laundering obligations for traders (Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises) www.berlin.de/formularverzeichnis/?formular=/wirtschaft/gewe

Who is responsible

The Ordnungsamt (public order office) of the district in which your business's registered place of operation is located.

Responsible for you

Choose a location; the appointment itself is booked on the original page.

Original

German originalOfficial English page

Service number 121921 · same path as the original: service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/121921/