Found your own UG successfully: You should consider these costs!

Every successful start-up includes a precise list of all costs, which is essential for the professional liquidation planning of your UG. Here you will find our checklist for founders, which will help you not to lose sight of any cost items.

If you are founding a UG with three or fewer shareholders, you can save costs by using a so-called standard record to draw up the articles of association. The standard record is a legally pre-formulated document for your foundation and is the counterpart to individually formulated articles of association. Using a standard record can save you costs. However, you should be aware that it does not always make sense to use a standard record. Here you will find some information on the various contracts:

The standard record

• Useful for 1-3-person UG-s
• very simplified document: some information on the rights and obligations of shareholders is missing (the sale or inheritance of shares is not regulated)

The individual charter (400 – 1000 euros)

• Mandatory for more than 3 shareholders
• Suitable for more complex UG structures
• more individual regulations: Rights and obligations of the shareholders are precisely defined

The management contract

• can be drawn up individually or with a standard record (free of charge)
• The individual managing director contract is useful for complex UG structures

If you want to set up a UG, it is necessary to notarise this formation and the entry in the commercial register at a notary’s office.

If you set up your company with a standard record, you can expect to pay around EUR 105 for the notarisation for a 1-person UG and up to EUR 165 for 2-3 shareholders. If you have founded your company by means of individual articles of association, you will have to factor in approx. 550 euros for the notary’s fees. However, these fees already include the fees for registration in the commercial register.

Before you register your UG with the registry court, you should make sure that all the documents to be checked are complete and free of errors. If, for example, the registry court rejects the company name of your UG (because it already exists in the commercial register), you will have to go back to the notary. This is associated with additional costs and should be avoided.

The registration court charges a one-off registration fee of EUR 150 when the UG is registered.

Most visits to the authorities when setting up your UG are free of charge. Fees are only charged for business registration. The fees vary between 15-60 euros depending on the trade office and its location.

To register with the tax office, you must complete the tax registration questionnaire. There are no costs here. Nevertheless, it is advisable for start-ups in particular to consult a tax advisor if they lack specialist tax knowledge.

Founding a UG can entail some costs. Nevertheless, you can take on many tasks yourself: You can draft some documents yourself, such as the list of shareholders or the shareholder resolution appointing the managing director.

However, caution is advised here: If you try to save too much money here, you may incur additional costs in the start-up process. If the documents do not meet the requirements of the registry court, you will have to make changes, which in turn incur costs. Therefore, leave the drafting of the essential founding documents directly to the notary.

Founding a UG requires careful planning, especially with regard to the costs incurred. From drawing up the articles of association to notarisation and entry in the commercial register - each step involves specific expenses. A clear calculation of these costs will help you avoid unnecessary surprises and optimise your liquidity planning. With the right advice and solid planning, you can lay the best foundations for the long-term success of your UG. Discover our start-up packages and invest in good advice to make the start-up process efficient and legally compliant.