Starting a GmbH with a Virtual Office in Berlin: A registered office for the Commercial Register, notary, and tax office. Here’s how the process works.
You can incorporate a GmbH without having your own office. You need a business address that can be used for legal service, which the notary can register as your company’s registered office. A virtual office fully meets this requirement. The Charlottenburg Local Court will enter your Berlin registered office in the Commercial Register. The address must be approved in writing for business use.
What you'll learn in this article:
Forming a limited liability company (GmbH) isn't rocket science, but there are clear legal requirements. The minimum requirements are:
Share capital
At least €25,000, of which at least €12,500 must be in the business account at the time of registration.
Business address
A valid domestic address for the commercial register, notary, and tax office.
Articles of Association
Notarized, it governs the company's capital stock, shareholders, corporate purpose, and registered office.
Business account
A separate bank account in the name of the GmbH. No personal accounts may be used for the payment of the initial capital.
What you don't need: a physical office. The law does not require you to have your own office space, just a valid domestic business address where mail can be delivered. That is the key point.
Technically, the law allows a private address to serve as the registered office of a limited liability company (GmbH), but in practice this poses several serious problems:
Publicly accessible
Your home address will be listed in the commercial register, where it can be viewed by anyone. Customers, competitors, debt collection agencies, and the media will be able to see where you live.
Lease Agreement Issues
If your lease prohibits commercial use, you risk receiving a warning or, in extreme cases, having your lease terminated by the landlord.
Tax risks
The tax office may determine that a limited liability company (GmbH) with a residential address has engaged in a so-called business separation. This results in private assets being included in the business assets.
Moving takes time and money
If you move, your address must be updated in the commercial register. This requires another appointment with a notary and incurs fees.
A virtual office provides you with a real Berlin street address without requiring you to rent an office there. This address is entered into the articles of incorporation and submitted by a notary to the Charlottenburg Local Court for entry in the Commercial Register.
Important: The virtual office must explicitly permit its use as a company headquarters. Not all providers do this, and not every address is suitable for entry in the commercial register. The provider must confirm this in writing so that the notary can complete the registration.
Here’s what the Virtual Office does: It receives all your mail—including official correspondence from the tax office, local court, or bailiff—and notifies you immediately. You’ll never miss a deadline, no matter where you are.
During the notary appointment, the articles of association are notarized. The notary then submits all documents to the Charlottenburg Local Court, which is responsible for all entries in the Berlin Commercial Register.
What you need from your virtual office provider:
Tip: It is now possible to incorporate a GmbH online. The appointment with the notary takes place via video conference, but the address requirements remain the same as for an in-person appointment.
| Cost item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Share capital | €25,000 (minimum €12,500 upon registration) | Not a cost factor; remains within the LLC |
| Notary fees | €500 to €850 | Depending on the amount of share capital and the number of shareholders |
| Registration in the Commercial Register | approx. €300 | Charlottenburg District Court, Berlin |
| Business Registration in Berlin | 26 € | At the relevant district office |
| Virtual Office (Headquarters) | Starting at €28/month | Recurring costs, cancellable monthly |
| Total one-time startup costs | approx. €1,000 to €1,500 | without share capital and a tax advisor |
Note: Costs may vary depending on the notary, the shareholder structure, and the scope of the articles of association. Tax advisor fees are not included.
Book a Virtual Office
Choose a provider that explicitly allows the space to be used as a business address and issues a written confirmation. Available immediately upon booking.
Prepare the articles of association
Enter the Virtual Office address as the company's registered office. For single-member LLCs using a standard articles of incorporation, this can be done quickly and affordably.
Open a business account and deposit the initial capital
At least €12,500 must be in the GmbH’s bank account before the notary appointment. Please bring proof of payment with you.
Notary appointment: Notarization and registration
The notary certifies the articles of association and files the application with the Charlottenburg Local Court. This can also be done via video conference.
Wait for the entry in the commercial register
Once the company is registered, you will receive your HRB number. Only then does the GmbH legally come into existence. In Berlin, this typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Business Registration and the Tax Office
Business registration with the Berlin District Office (€26), tax registration questionnaire from the tax office. The Virtual Office serves as your official address for all communication with government agencies.
Registered office for your LLC in Berlin
Valid for filing, notarization, and registration in the commercial register. Starting at 28 euros.
76 Kollwitzstraße, 10435 Berlin Prenzlauer Berg
Teeberg provides you with a Berlin business address that is legally valid for service of process, specifically authorized for use as the registered office of a GmbH. Immediately after booking, you will receive all the documents you need for the notary: a domicile agreement, confirmation of legal validity for service of process, and permission for registration in the commercial register.
"Professional advice and excellent service when starting a business."
Aiko K., Teeberg customer
| Package | Contains | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Postal address | Confirmation of business address, mail receipt, notification | Starting at €28/month |
| Virtual Office | All of the above + Postscan, digital forwarding | Starting at €63/month |
| All-Inclusive | All of the above + business phone, secretarial services | Starting at €239/month |
All prices are for annual payment. Monthly plans start at €35, €79, and €299. No setup fee.
Can I incorporate a limited liability company (GmbH) with a virtual office as its registered office?
Yes. A GmbH can be incorporated using a virtual business address if the provider confirms in writing that the address may be used as the company’s registered office and if the address is valid for service of process. The notary requires this proof before notarizing the documents.
How long does it take to incorporate a GmbH in Berlin?
In Berlin, it typically takes 3 to 6 weeks from the time you book a virtual office until your company is entered in the commercial register. The bottleneck is usually the waiting time at the Charlottenburg Local Court, not the preparation. You can start using the virtual office the very first day after booking.
Does the tax office accept a virtual office as the address for a limited liability company (GmbH)?
Yes, provided the address is a physical one—that is, mail is actually received and processed there. A mere post office box without any visible infrastructure can cause problems. A virtual office provided by a reputable company with a physical location and staff available in person is accepted.
Can I also incorporate a GmbH online?
Yes. Notary appointments can now also be conducted via video conference. All you need is your smartphone or a computer with a camera, your ID with eID, and all your documents in digital form. The address requirements are the same as for an in-person incorporation.
What happens to my LLC address if I switch providers?
Changing your address in the commercial register requires another appointment with a notary and costs both time and money. That’s why you should choose a provider from the start that you can trust in the long term, but that also allows you to cancel your service on a monthly basis in case you decide to switch.
Secure your GmbH's registered office in Berlin
Includes notary certification, provided immediately after booking. Starting at €28/month.
Set up your company headquarters now →No setup fee · Cancel anytime · Ready to use right away
We will clarify all your questions in a 15-minute phone call and guide you through the steps to the Virtual Office together
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