GmbH registration will soon be possible online

The Federal Cabinet has now approved the Justice Minister's draft bill.

In future, start-up founders and entrepreneurs will also be able to register their GmbHs online. This was decided by the Federal Cabinet on the basis of a bill proposed by Federal Minister of Justice Christine Lambrecht (SPD). Until now, founders have had to appear in person at the notary's office. In future, registration will also be possible if the notary has a video communication system and can read documents such as identity cards digitally. In addition, retrieval fees in the commercial and cooperative register will no longer apply in future. Companies will only have to publish annual financial statements in the company register and no longer in the Federal Gazette.

The draft law is based on the EU's Digitalization Directive, which was adopted in summer 2019. The directive aims to simplify and digitalize the formation of companies and secondary establishments across Europe. The draft still has to be approved by the Bundesrat and Bundestag.