A business registration is always necessary when you start a permanent business. A permanent business is a business with a fixed place of business from or in which the business is conducted. This is the case if you:

• set up a new business,
• establish a new branch office,
• establish a new dependent branch office,
• take over an existing business, for example through purchase or lease,
• convert a sole proprietorship into another legal form,
• transferring a business from the jurisdiction of one authority to that of another (this is considered a closure of the business by one authority and a new establishment by the other).

You must register your business at the same time as you start operating. The registration requirement only applies if it is a commercial activity.

The following are exempt from business registration:

• Primary production (livestock farming, agriculture, hunting, forestry, and fishing)
• Liberal professions
• Management of own assets

Find out in good time what personal, financial, and professional requirements you must meet in order to be able to work in these business areas. 

The purpose of registering a business is to enable the relevant authorities to monitor business activities and collect statistical data.

You must register your business immediately upon commencement of operations. A fine may be imposed for late registration.

• In person: immediately
• For written or electronic registration: within 3 days, provided that the business registration form has been completed correctly and in full and the necessary documents are available.

• Proof of identity (e.g., identity card, passport, or registration certificate)
• Notarized articles of association or extract from the commercial register
• supplementary sheet for authorized representatives

by bank transfer after receiving a fee notice

Please indicate the subject matter of the contract as stated in the fee notice.