Head of International Corporate Law and Fintech Practice
Expert in fintech, crypto, and international corporate law with over 20 years of experience. Specializes in crypto licensing (VASP/CASP), iGaming business support, and international structuring, asset protection, and OSINT analytics for risk assessment and due diligence.
BUY A READY-MADE BUSINESS (FIRM) IN GERMANY
A ready-made registered business is a legal entity that has fully completed all the official registration stages.
It has all the necessary documents from government authorities, including commercial and tax registers, as well as paid-in initial capital.
Buying a ready-made company is the fastest way to start a business in Germany, because the entire registration procedure is already behind you. The change of ownership can take place in a few days, and sometimes even in a day.
There is no need to personally visit government institutions and wait for paperwork – just certify the purchase and sale agreement with a notary.
What company can you buy?
In Germany, you can buy ready-made companies of various organizational forms. These include AG (joint-stock company), GmbH and UG (limited liability companies), partnerships, as well as the pan-European SE form.
The buyer can choose a company with no previous activity or one that already has certain assets, an established reputation and customers.
When buying a limited liability company (GmbH), it is important to understand the specifics of liability. The protection against personal liability of the owners only comes into effect after the company has been entered in the commercial register.
When you buy an already registered company, you avoid the risk of being held liable with your own assets, which could arise from conducting business before registration is completed.
And since a ready-made company usually has not carried out any transactions, the risk of inheriting unknown debts or obligations is practically non-existent.
What is the cost of a ready-made company in Germany?
The price of a ready-made company is formed from the costs of the transfer procedure itself and the amount of authorized capital that has already been contributed. However, you need to be careful when making such a purchase.
The main risk is that an unscrupulous seller may hide existing debts for which the new owner will have to be responsible.
Therefore, it is extremely important to carefully check the seller – the law firm “Prikhodko & Partners” will help you at every stage of purchasing a company.
What documents are needed to buy a company:
When purchasing a ready-made company, it is necessary to prepare a full package of documentation that confirms the identity of the buyer and establishes the legal parameters of the future business:
Identification documents:
- Valid passport with translation into German
- Individual tax number
- Documents confirming the identity of all founders and directors
- Completed questionnaires with detailed profiles of each founder
- Detailed resume of the company director
Company documents:
- Full company name and detailed description of the field of activity
- Proof of legal address (lease agreement or ownership)
- Updated company charter with all necessary changes
- Detailed business plan and description of future activities
- Minutes of the meeting of founders on the appointment of management
Additional documentation:
- Notarized documents of establishment (especially important for representative offices of foreign companies)
- Official notices from local authorities
- Bank statements confirming payment of all mandatory payments and fees
- Certificate of no debts
- Confirmation of contribution of authorized capital
Specific requirements:
- For representative offices of foreign companies — legalized documents of the parent company
- If there are several founders — documents and questionnaires from each
- When changing types of activities — licenses and permits are required
All documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by an official translation into German and be properly legalized. It is recommended to prepare a complete set of documentation in advance to avoid delays in the transaction process.
Company purchase procedure:
Buying a ready-made company takes place in stages. First, you need to reserve the selected company through an application. After reservation and payment, the company becomes the property of the buyer.
Then you can change the charter, name, management team and other parameters. The final step is notarization of all changes and updating the data in the commercial register.
The company must be registered in the commercial register of the court at the place of business. If the actual address differs from the registered address, additional registration may be required.
However, it is possible to keep the legal address unchanged by updating only the actual place of business. In practice, there is no significant difference between a newly created GmbH and a purchased ready-made company – with proper registration, there are no additional risks.
Professional support from the law firm “Prikhodko & Partners”
To avoid possible mistakes and make the process of purchasing a ready-made company as fast and safe as possible, contact the experienced specialists of the law firm “Prikhodko & Partners”.
Our experts will provide full legal support for the transaction, help with the preparation of all necessary documents, conduct a thorough check of the company before the purchase and protect your interests at all stages of the transaction.
We have many years of experience in supporting such transactions and guarantee a professional approach to resolving any issues related to the acquisition of a ready-made company in Germany.
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Are you currently in Germany?
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Do you need to registrate business in Germany?
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You need a business loan in Germany,
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Compensation for moral, material damage
Protection of honour, dignity, and business reputationContract Development for Business and Legal Entities
Licensing of business activities
Compensation for moral, material damage
Legal services in the field of cryptocurrency and blockchain
REGISTRATION OF COMPANIES AND OPENING OF BANK ACCOUNTS
Sale and purchase of ready-made firms
Grants and attracting investment
Business registration and support in Great Britain
Business registration and support in Switzerland
Business registration and support in the EU
Business Registration and Support in the Gulf Countries (GCC)
Business registration and support in Turkey
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Legal services for medical businesses and doctors
Protection of honour, dignity, and business reputation
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Escort of the tender participant
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European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)

