A Ukrainian entrepreneur gets everything ready - articles of association drafted by a lawyer, bank account (almost) opened, notary appointment booked. They show up at the notary, hand over the documents, and two weeks later get a letter from the Handelsregister: application rejected. The reason? The apostille was on the translation instead of the original document, and the name transliteration on the passport didn’t match the one in the notary deed. Total damage: four weeks of delay, €600 in additional notary fees, and a business partner in Kyiv wondering what’s going on.
This isn’t a hypothetical scenario. It happens regularly to Ukrainian founders registering companies in Germany, because the interaction between Ukrainian documents, German sworn translations, and notary requirements has dozens of small traps that no one warns you about until you’ve already fallen into one.
This article is the checklist I wish someone had given me before I started helping clients with GmbH and UG registrations. Every document, every cost, every step - from collecting papers in Ukraine to getting your Handelsregister entry.
GmbH vs UG: what’s the difference and does it affect translation requirements¶
Before we get into the documents, let’s clear up the GmbH vs UG question. Both are limited liability companies (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung), but they differ in capital requirements, costs, and perception.
| Parameter | GmbH | UG (haftungsbeschränkt) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum share capital | €25,000 (can deposit €12,500 at founding, rest later) | From €1 (but realistically €500-1,000 to be taken seriously) |
| Notary costs (founding) | €300-€1,500 (depending on capital and complexity) | €105-€250 (with Musterprotokoll) or €250-€850 (custom articles) |
| Handelsregister fee | €300 | €300 |
| Retention requirement | None | Must retain 25% of annual profit until capital reaches €25,000 |
| Business perception | Established, “serious” company | Often seen as startup/small business |
| Translation requirements | Identical | Identical |
The last row is the key takeaway: whether you’re registering a GmbH or a UG, the translation requirements are exactly the same. The Handelsregister doesn’t care about your capital structure when it comes to document verification - it cares about whether your identity documents are properly translated and authenticated.
One important note: the Gesellschaftsvertrag (articles of association) is NOT translated from Ukrainian. It’s drafted from scratch in German, either by a lawyer or using the standardized Musterprotokoll template for simple UG formations. So don’t go looking for a translator for your company charter - you need a German lawyer or notary for that.
For more on how the Gesellschaftsvertrag works, see our article on GmbH articles of association translation.
Full document checklist: what needs translating¶
The documents you’ll need depend on whether the founder is an individual (you, personally) or a legal entity (your Ukrainian LLC/TOV founding a German subsidiary). Let’s break down both scenarios.
Scenario 1: Individual founder (most common)¶
This is the typical case - you’re a Ukrainian citizen registering a GmbH or UG as a natural person.
| Document | Translation needed? | Apostille needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ukrainian passport (international) | Yes - beglaubigte Übersetzung | No | Must be done by beeidigter Übersetzer in Germany |
| Meldebescheinigung (German address registration) | No | No | Already a German document |
| Vollmacht (power of attorney) | Yes, if signed in Ukraine | Yes, on the original | Only needed if you won’t attend the notary appointment in person |
| Tax identification (Steuer-ID) | No | No | You get this in Germany |
| Proof of share capital deposit | No | No | Bank document, already in German |
That’s it for a solo individual founder with a straightforward setup. Three documents at most need translation, and often it’s just the passport.
But here’s a detail that trips people up: if you’re signing a Vollmacht (power of attorney) in Ukraine so someone else can represent you at the German notary, that Vollmacht needs an apostille on the original Ukrainian document - and then a certified translation of both the document and the apostille. Getting the apostille order wrong (putting it on the translation instead of the original) is one of the most common mistakes, and it means starting the whole process over.
Scenario 2: Corporate founder (Ukrainian LLC/TOV founding a German company)¶
This is where things get significantly more complex. If a Ukrainian legal entity is founding or co-founding a German GmbH/UG, the Handelsregister needs to verify that the Ukrainian company actually exists, is properly authorized, and that the person signing on its behalf has the power to do so.
| Document | Translation needed? | Apostille needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extract from Ukrainian Unified State Register (Витяг з ЄДР) | Yes - beglaubigte Übersetzung | Yes | Must be recent (ideally less than 3 months old) |
| Company charter (Статут) | Yes - beglaubigte Übersetzung | Yes | Full document, can be 20-50 pages |
| Shareholder meeting minutes (Протокол загальних зборів) | Yes - beglaubigte Übersetzung | Yes | The resolution authorizing the German company formation |
| Director’s passport | Yes - beglaubigte Übersetzung | No | Same requirements as individual founder |
| Power of attorney from Ukrainian company | Yes - beglaubigte Übersetzung | Yes | Authorizing the representative to act at the German notary |
| VAT registration certificate | Yes - beglaubigte Übersetzung | Depends on notary | Some notaries request it, some don’t |
As one German corporate law firm notes: “For corporate founders from Ukraine, the document package can easily reach 200+ pages when you include the charter, meeting minutes, register extracts, and all the apostilles. Each page needs certified translation - and a single inconsistency in name transliteration across documents can delay the entire registration.”
That 200+ page figure isn’t an exaggeration. I’ve seen Ukrainian company charters alone run 40 pages, and when you add the protocol, extract, powers of attorney, and all the apostilles stacked on top - the translation package gets massive.
What about residency and the right to register?¶
If you’re a Ukrainian citizen in Germany under §24 AufenthG (temporary protection), you have the right to self-employment - which includes founding and running a GmbH or UG. As IHK Koblenz confirms, holders of §24 residence permits can engage in both employed and self-employed work without additional permits.
For more on residence permits and self-employment rights, see germany4ukraine’s official guidance.
If you have a different residence permit type, you may need to apply under §21 AufenthG (self-employment visa), which has additional requirements including a viable business plan and proof that your business benefits the German economy.
Beglaubigte Übersetzung: what it actually means and what it costs¶
Every document submitted to the Handelsregister in a foreign language must be accompanied by a beglaubigte Übersetzung - a certified translation. Not a regular translation, not a notarized translation from Ukraine - a certified translation done by a sworn translator in Germany.
Who can make a beglaubigte Übersetzung¶
Only a beeidigter Übersetzer (also called vereidigter Übersetzer, depending on the federal state) - a translator who has taken an oath before a German court (Landgericht or Oberlandesgericht) and has an official seal. Their certification stamp has legal force - no additional notary stamp on the translation is needed.
You can find a sworn translator for Ukrainian in the official database at justiz-dolmetscher.de. Search by language (Ukrainisch) and your city or federal state. Most sworn translators work remotely - you send scans, they mail the certified translation back.
Current pricing (2027)¶
Since April 2025, the official JVEG (Justizvergütungs- und -entschädigungsgesetz) rate is €1.95 per line of translation. This is the rate used for court-ordered translations, and many sworn translators base their private rates on it as well. For an average page of about 23 lines, that comes to approximately €45 per page.
But for standard documents like passports and certificates, most translators charge flat fees. Here’s what to expect:
| Document | Typical price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport (data page) | €25-40 | Standard document, most translators have templates |
| Extract from Ukrainian state register | €50-120 | Depends on page count and complexity |
| Company charter (Статут) | €150-450 | Can be 20-50 pages; price depends on volume |
| Shareholder meeting minutes | €50-150 | Usually 2-5 pages |
| Power of attorney | €40-80 | Usually 1-2 pages |
| Apostille (per document) | €20-35 | Translating the apostille stamp itself |
| VAT registration certificate | €30-50 | Short document |
As mentoc.de notes in their pricing overview: prices vary significantly between translators, but the JVEG rate gives you a reliable baseline. If someone quotes significantly below JVEG rates, ask about their oath status - they may not actually be a sworn translator.
“The JVEG rate of €1.95/line is the legal baseline for sworn translations in Germany. Market rates for private clients typically range from 100% to 150% of the JVEG rate, depending on document complexity and turnaround time.” - mentoc.de
Express surcharges¶
Need a translation in 24 hours? Most sworn translators offer express service at a 50-100% surcharge. For a passport translation, that might mean €50 instead of €30. For a 30-page company charter, the express surcharge can add €200-300 to the bill. Plan ahead to avoid this.
Getting a preliminary draft first¶
If you’re not sure which documents you actually need translated - or you want to verify the content of a Ukrainian document before paying for a certified translation - you can upload it to ChatsControl and get a draft translation in minutes. This won’t be a certified translation (you still need a beeidigter Übersetzer for that), but it’ll help you understand what you’re working with and avoid paying for translations of documents you don’t actually need.
The notary appointment: Dolmetscher requirement under §16 BeurkG¶
Here’s something that catches many founders off guard: if you don’t speak German, you’re legally required to have an interpreter (Dolmetscher) present at the notary appointment. This isn’t optional, and the notary can’t proceed without one.
Why an interpreter is required¶
Under §16 BeurkG (Beurkundungsgesetz), when a party to a notarial deed doesn’t have sufficient knowledge of the German language, the notary must bring in an interpreter. The notary reads the deed aloud in German, the interpreter translates it to the party, and both confirm understanding. This gets documented in the deed itself.
The logic makes sense: you’re signing a legally binding document that creates a company, defines shareholder responsibilities, and commits capital. The German legal system doesn’t want anyone signing something they don’t understand.
Who can serve as Dolmetscher¶
The interpreter at the notary can be:
- A beeidigter Dolmetscher (sworn interpreter) - someone who has taken an oath at a German court for interpreting, similar to a sworn translator but for oral interpretation
- An ad hoc vereidigter Dolmetscher - someone the notary swears in on the spot for this specific appointment
What they CANNOT be: - Your spouse, partner, or family member - Another party to the deed (like a co-founder) - The notary’s assistant (unless separately sworn as interpreter)
As AP Fachübersetzungen explains in their detailed guide, the notary decides whether to use a pre-sworn interpreter or swear one in ad hoc. Most notaries prefer working with interpreters they already know and trust.
How much does a Dolmetscher cost¶
| Service | Cost range |
|---|---|
| Interpreter for notary appointment (GmbH/UG founding) | €150-400 per session |
| Express booking (less than 3 days notice) | +30-50% surcharge |
| Additional time (if appointment runs over 2 hours) | €75-150/hour |
The cost depends on the city (Munich and Frankfurt are more expensive than smaller cities), the interpreter’s experience, and the complexity of the deed. A simple UG founding with Musterprotokoll might take 45 minutes; a GmbH with custom articles of association and multiple shareholders can take 3+ hours.
Pro tip: book your interpreter at the same time you book the notary appointment. Good Ukrainian-German interpreters in cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg are booked weeks in advance. If you wait until the last moment, you’ll either pay express rates or have to reschedule the notary appointment entirely.
Can the sworn translator also serve as interpreter?¶
Sometimes, yes. Some beeidigter Übersetzer are also sworn as Dolmetscher (these are separate oaths, but many professionals hold both). If you can find someone who does both, they can translate your documents AND interpret at the notary - which often means a package discount and the convenience of working with one person who knows your entire case.
Online registration: DiRUG and remote notarization¶
Since August 2022, it’s possible to register a GmbH or UG online through a video conference with a notary. This was made possible by the DiRUG (Gesetz zur Umsetzung der Digitalisierungsrichtlinie), implementing the EU Digitalization Directive.
How it works¶
- You book an appointment with a notary who offers online founding (not all do)
- The session happens via the Bundesnotarkammer’s portal
- Identity verification is done through electronic ID or a combination of live video + document checks
- The notary reads the deed, you confirm, everything is recorded
What changes for translations?¶
The translation requirements remain exactly the same for online registration:
- Your passport still needs a beglaubigte Übersetzung
- All corporate documents still need certified translations
- The Dolmetscher (interpreter) is still required if you don’t speak German - they join the video call
What IS different:
- Higher authentication requirements - the notary needs to verify your identity more rigorously since you’re not physically present. This may mean additional ID documents
- Digital document submission - you’ll need to send certified translations as high-quality scans or originals by mail before the appointment
- Recording - the entire session is recorded for legal purposes
Is online registration practical for Ukrainian founders?¶
It can be - especially if you’re still in Ukraine or in a different German city from the notary. But there are limitations:
- Not all notaries offer it yet (as of 2027, maybe 30-40% do)
- The process can be more complex technically, adding time rather than saving it
- Some notaries charge extra for online sessions due to the additional verification requirements
- If anything goes wrong with the video connection or document verification, the appointment may need to be rescheduled
For most Ukrainian founders already in Germany, an in-person appointment is still the faster and simpler option.
Opening a business bank account: the hidden bottleneck¶
You can’t complete Handelsregister registration without proof that you’ve deposited the share capital. And you can’t deposit the share capital without a business bank account. And opening a business bank account as a foreign founder in Germany can be… an experience.
Why it’s difficult for foreign founders¶
German banks have strict AML/KYC (Anti-Money Laundering / Know Your Customer) requirements. For foreign founders - especially from non-EU countries - the compliance checks are more extensive. Banks need to verify your identity, source of funds, business purpose, and beneficial ownership structure.
For more on AML/KYC requirements and document translation, see our article on AML/KYC compliance translation for financial institutions.
Traditional banks (Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Sparkasse) can take anywhere from a few days to - I’m not exaggerating - over a year for foreign founders. The average is 2-6 weeks, but I’ve seen cases drag on for months with repeated requests for additional documents.
What the bank typically needs¶
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport + certified translation | Same translation you prepared for the notary |
| Proof of address (Meldebescheinigung) | German document, no translation needed |
| Gesellschaftsvertrag (notarized) | Draft or final version |
| Business plan (sometimes) | Larger banks often request this |
| Source of funds documentation | May need certified translation if documents are in Ukrainian |
| Aufenthaltserlaubnis | Copy of your residence permit |
Fintech alternatives¶
If the traditional banking route feels too slow, several fintech banks offer faster account opening for GmbH/UG:
- Qonto - online business bank, typically opens accounts within days
- Holvi - focused on small businesses and freelancers
- Finom - another option for German company accounts
These fintechs still have KYC requirements, but their processes are simpler and faster. The trade-off: they may not offer all the banking services you need long-term (like credit lines or corporate cards with high limits).
After depositing the capital, you’ll receive an Einzahlungsbestätigung (deposit confirmation) from the bank. This document goes to the notary, who then submits the full package to the Handelsregister. Without it, the registration can’t proceed.
As geschaeftskonten24.net notes, foreign founders should plan for bank account opening to be the longest single step in the entire process.
Step-by-step timeline: from first document to Handelsregister entry¶
Here’s a realistic timeline for the entire process. I’m using the example of a Ukrainian individual founder registering a UG or GmbH while already in Germany.
Week 1-2: Collect documents and get apostilles in Ukraine¶
If you need documents from Ukraine (birth certificate, criminal record, corporate documents for a Ukrainian company acting as founder), this is the time to get them. Key actions:
- Request an extract from the Unified State Register (if corporate founder)
- Get apostilles on all documents that need them (Vollmacht, corporate documents)
- Make sure all original documents are in good condition - torn or damaged documents may be rejected by the sworn translator
If you’re already in Germany and need documents from Ukraine, you’ll need someone there to handle this for you. The apostille process at the Ministry of Justice takes 5-10 working days.
Week 2-3: Beglaubigte Übersetzung (certified translation)¶
Standard turnaround for sworn translations is 3-7 working days per document. For a basic individual founder package (passport only), this can be done in a day or two. For a corporate founder package with 200+ pages, budget a full 2 weeks.
- Find a sworn translator at justiz-dolmetscher.de
- Send all documents at once for a package deal
- Double-check that the name transliteration matches your passport exactly
- Request a draft before final certification if possible
Week 3-4: Notary appointment + Dolmetscher¶
- Book the notary appointment (1-2 weeks lead time in most cities)
- Book the interpreter if needed
- Review the Gesellschaftsvertrag or Musterprotokoll with a lawyer if you have questions
- Attend the appointment, sign the deed
After notarization, the notary submits the application to the Handelsregister. But you need the bank account and capital deposit first - so these steps often run in parallel.
Week 4-6: Bank account opening + Handelsregister registration¶
- Open a business bank account (can start this in week 2-3 in parallel)
- Deposit the share capital
- Get the Einzahlungsbestätigung from the bank
- Notary submits to Handelsregister
- Handelsregister processing: typically 2-4 weeks
Week 6-8+: Finanzamt and Gewerbeanmeldung¶
Once the Handelsregister entry is confirmed, you’ll need to:
- Register with the Finanzamt - fill out the Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung. You’ll receive your Steuernummer and (if applicable) USt-IdNr. This can take up to 6 months in some cities, though 4-8 weeks is more typical
- Gewerbeanmeldung - register your commercial activity at the Gewerbeamt. More details in our article about Gewerbeanmeldung and document translation
The total timeline from “I want to register a company” to “I have a Handelsregister entry” is typically 6-12 weeks. The biggest variables are bank account opening (can be fast or painfully slow) and Handelsregister processing times (varies dramatically by city - Berlin is notoriously slow, smaller cities are often faster).
Cost summary: what to budget¶
Let’s put all the costs together. These are estimates based on 2027 market prices.
Individual founder - GmbH¶
| Cost item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Passport translation (beglaubigte Übersetzung) | €25-40 |
| Notary fees | €300-€1,500 |
| Dolmetscher (interpreter) at notary | €150-400 |
| Handelsregister fee | €300 |
| Bank fees (account opening) | €0-100 |
| Total (excluding share capital) | €775-€2,340 |
Individual founder - UG (with Musterprotokoll)¶
| Cost item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Passport translation (beglaubigte Übersetzung) | €25-40 |
| Notary fees (Musterprotokoll) | €105-250 |
| Dolmetscher (interpreter) at notary | €150-400 |
| Handelsregister fee | €300 |
| Bank fees (account opening) | €0-60 |
| Total (excluding share capital) | €580-€1,050 |
Corporate founder (Ukrainian TOV founding German GmbH/UG)¶
Add these costs on top of the individual founder costs:
| Cost item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Extract from state register translation | €50-120 |
| Company charter translation | €150-450 |
| Shareholder meeting minutes translation | €50-150 |
| Power of attorney translation | €40-80 |
| VAT certificate translation | €30-50 |
| Apostille translations (3-5 documents) | €60-175 |
| Additional translation costs | €380-€1,025 |
So a corporate founder registering a GmbH can expect to spend €1,155-€3,365 before depositing a single euro of share capital.
According to anwalt-kg.de, foreign founders should budget 20-40% more than German founders for the registration process due to translation, authentication, and interpreter costs. For Ukrainian corporate founders, the premium can be even higher due to the volume of corporate documents that need certified translation.
Common mistakes that cause delays and rejections¶
I’ve seen all of these happen to real clients. Each one caused at least two weeks of delay and hundreds of euros in extra costs.
1. Translation done in Ukraine¶
This is the number one mistake. A translation made by a Ukrainian notary or translation bureau has zero legal standing in Germany. The Handelsregister requires a beglaubigte Übersetzung from a beeidigter Übersetzer - someone who has taken an oath before a German court. It doesn’t matter how good the Ukrainian translation is or how official it looks.
2. Transliteration mismatch between documents¶
Your passport says “Oleksandr,” but the translation of the state register extract uses “Olexandr,” and the notary deed has “Alexander.” The Handelsregister will flag this. Every single document must use exactly the same Latin spelling of your name. Tell your sworn translator to match the transliteration in your passport - no exceptions.
3. Apostille on the wrong document¶
The apostille goes on the ORIGINAL Ukrainian document, not on the translation. The translation is then made of the original + its apostille. If someone puts an apostille on the translation, or on a copy instead of the original, it won’t be accepted.
4. Forgetting the Dolmetscher¶
You show up at the notary, the notary asks if you speak German, you say “ein bisschen” - and the appointment gets cancelled. Under §16 BeurkG, the notary is legally obligated to require an interpreter if there’s any doubt about your German proficiency. Book one in advance.
5. Outdated extract from the state register¶
The extract from Ukraine’s Unified State Register should be no older than 3-6 months (different notaries have different requirements, but 3 months is the safe rule). If your extract is from last year, you’ll need a new one - plus a new apostille and a new translation.
6. Incomplete corporate authorization chain¶
For corporate founders, the Handelsregister traces the authorization chain all the way back: who authorized the representative to sign? Was that person authorized by a valid shareholder resolution? Did the shareholders have the right to pass that resolution according to the charter? If any link in this chain is missing or unclear, the registration gets bounced back. Make sure your shareholder meeting minutes explicitly authorize the founding of a German company and name the specific person who will act on the company’s behalf.
7. Not translating the apostille itself¶
The apostille is a separate document that also needs certified translation. Some founders forget this, assuming the apostille is “just a stamp.” It’s not - it’s an official document with text that the Handelsregister needs to read in German.
Checklist: what to bring to the notary appointment¶
Print this out and tick things off before you leave the house.
For individual founder:
- [ ] Passport (original)
- [ ] Certified translation of passport (beglaubigte Übersetzung)
- [ ] Meldebescheinigung (current, original)
- [ ] Draft Gesellschaftsvertrag or confirmation that Musterprotokoll will be used
- [ ] Einzahlungsbestätigung (bank deposit confirmation) - or arrange to submit later
- [ ] Interpreter (Dolmetscher) - confirmed and arriving on time
- [ ] Government-issued photo ID for the interpreter
For corporate founder (in addition to above):
- [ ] Extract from Unified State Register + apostille + certified translation
- [ ] Company charter + apostille + certified translation
- [ ] Shareholder meeting minutes + apostille + certified translation (authorizing the German company founding)
- [ ] Power of attorney + apostille + certified translation
- [ ] Director’s passport + certified translation
- [ ] VAT registration certificate + certified translation (if requested by notary)
Double-check before the appointment:
- [ ] Name transliteration is identical across ALL documents and translations
- [ ] All apostilles are on ORIGINAL documents (not on translations or copies)
- [ ] Extract from state register is less than 3 months old
- [ ] Interpreter is booked and confirmed
- [ ] You’ve reviewed the Gesellschaftsvertrag content (even if you don’t understand every German word - your interpreter or lawyer should have walked you through it)
Working with your sworn translator: practical tips¶
Finding a good sworn translator can save you significant time and money. Here are some practical suggestions from working with dozens of GmbH/UG registration cases.
Send everything at once¶
Don’t send documents one at a time over two weeks. Gather everything, send it in one package, and ask for a bulk rate. Most sworn translators offer 10-20% discounts for packages of 5+ documents.
Specify the purpose¶
Tell the translator these documents are for Handelsregister / GmbH registration. Experienced translators know the specific formatting and terminology requirements and will make sure the translations meet them. A translator who’s done 50 Handelsregister cases will catch potential issues that someone doing their first one won’t.
Verify name transliteration upfront¶
Before the translator starts, send them your passport data page and say: “Please use exactly this Latin spelling for all names and addresses across all documents.” This prevents the transliteration mismatch problem described above.
Keep digital copies of everything¶
If you need to organize and review multiple document translations - especially for a corporate founder scenario with 200+ pages - tools like ChatsControl can help you manage the flow and get quick draft translations to verify document content before ordering certified versions.
Ask about turnaround before committing¶
Standard turnaround is 3-7 working days, but some translators are backed up 2-3 weeks, especially in cities with large Ukrainian communities (Berlin, Munich, Dusseldorf). Ask before sending documents and paying the deposit.
What happens after Handelsregister registration¶
Once the Handelsregister confirms your GmbH/UG registration, you’ll receive:
- HRB number - your company’s Handelsregister number (e.g., HRB 123456 B)
- Handelsregisterauszug - the official extract confirming your company’s existence
Then you’ll need to:
- Register with Finanzamt - file the Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung. This gets you your Steuernummer. Timeline: 4 weeks to 6 months depending on the city
- Apply for USt-IdNr (VAT number) - if you’ll be doing business within the EU
- Gewerbeanmeldung - register your commercial activity. For details, see our guide to Gewerbeanmeldung
- IHK registration - happens automatically after Gewerbeanmeldung
- Business insurance - depending on your industry
- Accounting setup - either hire a Steuerberater or set up accounting software
The Finanzamt timeline deserves special mention. In cities like Berlin, getting your Steuernummer can take 3-6 months. Without it, you can’t issue proper invoices. Some founders use the “vorläufige Steuernummer” (provisional tax number) - ask your Steuerberater about this option.
FAQ¶
Can a Ukrainian with §24 temporary protection register a GmbH or UG?¶
Yes. The §24 AufenthG residence permit explicitly allows both employed and self-employed work, which includes founding and running a GmbH or UG. You don’t need any additional work permit or self-employment authorization. This is confirmed by IHK Koblenz and other chambers of commerce across Germany. The only thing §24 doesn’t allow is permanent establishment - but since the permit is temporary (currently extended through March 2026, likely to be extended further), your company can operate as long as your residence status is valid.
How much does the entire process cost, including translations?¶
For an individual founder registering a UG with Musterprotokoll: approximately €580-€1,050 (excluding share capital). For an individual founder registering a GmbH: approximately €775-€2,340 (excluding the €12,500-€25,000 share capital). For a corporate founder (Ukrainian TOV): add €380-€1,025 for additional translations, bringing the total to roughly €1,155-€3,365 before capital deposit. These figures include translations, notary, interpreter, Handelsregister fee, and basic bank account setup.
Can I register a GmbH/UG entirely online from Ukraine?¶
Since August 2022, the DiRUG law allows online GmbH/UG registration via video conference with a German notary. So technically, yes - you can do this from Ukraine. However, there are practical limitations: you still need certified translations from a beeidigter Übersetzer in Germany, you need a Dolmetscher on the video call, identity verification is stricter, and not all notaries offer online founding. You’ll also need to open a German bank account remotely, which is difficult from abroad. It’s possible but significantly more complicated than doing it in person. For details, see the Bundesnotarkammer’s portal.
What type of translation is accepted for Handelsregister registration?¶
Only a beglaubigte Übersetzung (certified translation) from a beeidigter or vereidigter Übersetzer - a translator who has taken an oath before a German court. Translations from Ukrainian notaries, Ukrainian translation bureaus, or regular (non-sworn) translators in Germany won’t be accepted. The sworn translator’s stamp and certification statement give the translation legal force in Germany. You can find sworn translators at justiz-dolmetscher.de. For a detailed guide on certified translations, see our article about beglaubigte Übersetzung in Germany.
How long does the entire registration process take from start to finish?¶
Realistically, 6-12 weeks for an individual founder, and 8-14 weeks for a corporate founder. The breakdown: 1-2 weeks for collecting documents and apostilles, 1-2 weeks for certified translations, 1-2 weeks for the notary appointment (including booking lead time), and 2-4 weeks for bank account opening and Handelsregister processing. The biggest variable is the bank account - it can take anywhere from a few days (fintech banks) to several months (traditional banks). After Handelsregister registration, the Finanzamt registration adds another 4 weeks to 6 months, but your company is legally operational once it’s in the Handelsregister.