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Emily Schreiber
June 18, 2026
You can incorporate a GmbH without a physical office. You need a legally valid business address that the notary can register as the company's seat. A virtual office fully meets this requirement. The Amtsgericht Charlottenburg enters your Berlin registered seat in the commercial register. The address must be formally released for commercial use in writing.
What this article covers:
- What you actually need to incorporate a GmbH
- Why a private address as the registered company seat is risky
- How a virtual office works as a GmbH registered seat
- What the notary specifically checks and which documents you need
- A complete overview of all incorporation costs
What Do I Need to Incorporate a GmbH?
Incorporating a GmbH is not magic, but it has clear legal requirements. The minimum:
Share Capital
Min. €25,000, of which at least €12,500 must be in the business account at the time of registration.
Business Address
A legally valid domestic address for the commercial register, notary, and tax authority. → Rent a registered seat
Articles of Association
Notarially certified, covering share capital, shareholders, business purpose, and registered seat.
Business Account
A separate account in the GmbH's name. Private accounts cannot be used for the share capital deposit.
What you do not need: a physical office. The law does not require dedicated office premises, only a deliverable domestic business address. That is the decisive point.
Why a Private Address as GmbH Registered Seat Is Risky
Technically, the law permits a private address as a GmbH registered seat. In practice, however, it brings several serious problems:
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Publicly visible
Your home address gets entered in the commercial register, publicly accessible to anyone. Clients, competitors, debt collectors, and journalists can see where you live.
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Lease problems
If your lease agreement excludes commercial use, you risk formal warnings or, in extreme cases, termination by your landlord.
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Tax risks
The tax authority may determine a so-called constructive business split (Betriebsaufspaltung) when a GmbH uses a residential address. This can result in private assets being attributed to business assets.
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Moving costs time and money
If you move home, the address must be updated in the commercial register. This requires a new notary appointment and incurs additional fees. Read more: Using Your Home Address as a Business Address
How Does a Virtual Office Work as a GmbH Registered Seat?
A virtual office provides you with a real Berlin street address without renting office space there. This address is written into the articles of association and submitted by the notary to the Amtsgericht Charlottenburg for entry in the commercial register.
Important: the virtual office must explicitly permit use as a registered company seat. Not every provider does this, and not every address is suitable for commercial register entry. The provider must confirm this in writing so the notary can proceed with the registration.
What the virtual office then handles: it receives all your mail, including official correspondence from the tax authority, court, or bailiff, and notifies you immediately. You won't miss any deadlines, wherever you happen to be.
What Does the Notary Check? What You Need at the Appointment
At the notary appointment, the articles of association are formally notarised. The notary then submits all documents to the Amtsgericht Charlottenburg, which is responsible for all Berlin commercial register entries.
What you need from your virtual office provider:
- Domicile agreement or written confirmation that the address may be used as the registered company seat
- Confirmation of legal validity for service of process: the address must be suitable for formal deliveries
- Permission for commercial register entry: must be explicitly stated in the contract
Tip: online GmbH incorporation is now possible. The notary appointment takes place by video call, but the address requirements are identical to those of an in-person appointment.
What Does GmbH Incorporation in Berlin Cost? Complete Overview
| Cost item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Share capital | €25,000 (min. €12,500 at registration) | Not a cost factor — stays within the GmbH |
| Notary fees | €500 to €850 | Depends on share capital and number of shareholders |
| Commercial register entry | approx. €300 | Amtsgericht Charlottenburg, Berlin |
| Trade registration Berlin | €26 | At the responsible district office (Bezirksamt) |
| Virtual Office (registered seat) | from €63/month | Ongoing cost, cancel monthly |
| Total one-time incorporation costs | approx. €1,000 to €1,500 | excluding share capital and tax adviser |
Note: costs may vary depending on the notary, shareholder structure, and complexity of the articles of association. Tax adviser fees are not included.
Step by Step: Incorporating a GmbH with a Virtual Office
1
Book a virtual office
Choose a provider that explicitly permits use as a registered company seat and issues a written confirmation. Available immediately after booking.
2
Prepare the articles of association
Enter the virtual office address as the company's registered seat. For single-shareholder GmbHs using the standard template protocol, this is quick and affordable.
3
Open a business account and deposit the share capital
At least €12,500 must be in the GmbH's account before the notary appointment. Bring the deposit confirmation with you.
4
Notary appointment: certification and filing
The notary certifies the articles of association and submits the application to the Amtsgericht Charlottenburg. Can also be done by video call.
5
Wait for the commercial register entry
Once registered, you receive your HRB number. Only then does the GmbH legally exist. In Berlin, this typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
6
Trade registration and tax authority
Register the trade at the Berlin district office (Bezirksamt, €26), and submit the tax registration questionnaire to the tax authority. Your virtual office address is the official address for all official correspondence.
Registered company seat for your GmbH in Berlin
Legally valid, notary-approved, commercial register ready. From 63 euros.
Teeberg: Your GmbH Registered Seat in Berlin Prenzlauer Berg
Kollwitzstraße 76, 10435 Berlin Prenzlauer Berg
Teeberg provides you with a legally valid Berlin business address, explicitly approved for use as a GmbH registered seat. Immediately after booking, you receive all the documents you need for the notary: domicile agreement, confirmation of legal validity for service of process, and permission for commercial register entry.
- Registered seat confirmation for the notary available immediately after booking
- Commercial register eligibility confirmed: Amtsgericht Charlottenburg accepts the address
- Official mail reported immediately: no missed deadlines
- Active within 5 minutes: in time for the notary appointment
- 4.9 / 5 stars on Google (over 4,900 reviews)
"Professional advice and great service throughout the incorporation process."
Aiko K., Teeberg customer
The Right Packages for Your GmbH
| Package | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Office ⭐ | Official company address for commercial register & notary, daily mail scanning, meeting room on demand | from €63/month |
| Postal Address | Business address, mail receipt, notification. For legal notice & trade registration. Not for commercial register. | from €28/month |
| All Inclusive | Everything in Virtual Office plus business phone, secretarial service, 4 hrs meeting room per month | from €239/month |
All prices with annual payment. Monthly rates from €35, €79, and €299 respectively. No setup fee.
Frequently Asked Questions: Incorporating a GmbH with a Virtual Office
Secure Your GmbH Registered Seat in Berlin
Including notary confirmation, available immediately after booking. From €63/month.
Set Up Registered Seat Now →No setup fee · Cancel anytime · Ready to use immediately
