Important contacts: Which authorities help foreign companies?
Foreign companies that want to do business in Germany often need support with Company formation, tax issues, visa matters and legal obligations. Here are the most important authorities and institutions that can help foreign companies:
1 Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) - Economic Affairs & Investment Promotion
Responsible for:
-Information on setting up a business and investment opportunities
- Economic policy and support programs
- Advice on financing and funding options
Contact:
Website: www.bmwk.de
Registered office: Berlin
2. Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) - Consulting for investors & companies
Responsible for:
- Support for foreign companies entering the market
- Market analyses and legal framework conditions
- Advice on business start-ups, taxes and subsidies
Contact:
Website: www.gtai.de
Registered office: Berlin
Special feature:
GTAI offers Free advice for foreign investors and start-ups!
3. chambers of industry and commerce (IHKs) - support for local companies
Responsible for:
-Advice on business registration & company formation
-Help with visa and residence issues for foreign entrepreneurs
-Support with the recognition of qualifications
- Information on local regulations
Contact:
Website: www.dihk.de (Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce)
There are IHKs in every city and region - simply contact your local IHK!
4. tax offices & Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) - tax registration & VAT
Responsible for:
-awarding of the Tax identification number (tax ID) and Value added tax identification number (VAT ID)
-Registration for VAT in Germany
-Tax issues for foreign companies
Contact:
Website: www.bzst.de (Federal Central Tax Office)
Local tax offices are responsible for the tax liability of companies.
5. trade offices - registration of the company
Responsible for:
-Business registration for foreign companies in Germany
-Exhibition of Trade licenses
-Information on local regulations
Contact:
Each trade office can be found at the city administration (visit the website of the respective city).
Example: Trade office Berlin: www.berlin.de/standort
6. federal employment agency - work permits & immigration of skilled workers
Responsible for:
-Issuance of Work permits for foreign employees
-Consulting on Immigration of skilled workers
-Support in the job search for foreign skilled workers
Contact:
Website: www.arbeitsagentur.de
There are local employment agencies in every city.
Special feature:
For the Acceleration of work visas can the Accelerated specialist procedures be used.
7 German diplomatic missions abroad - Visas & residence permits
Responsible for:
-Exhibition of Work visas & entrepreneur visas
-Consulting for business travelers and investors
-Support with the residence permit
Contact:
Website: www.auswaertiges-amt.de
German embassies & consulates abroad are responsible for visa applications.
Tip:
Entrepreneurs who want to set up a company in Germany can apply for a Self-employed visa (§ 21 AufenthG) request.
8. customs authorities - import & export of goods
Responsible for:
-Import sales tax and customs duties for imported goods
-Allocation of EORI numbers for exporters
-Control of trade regulations
Contact:
Website: www.zoll.de
Local customs offices are responsible for goods imports and tax issues.
Special feature:
Every company that Goods imported or exported to Germanyrequires a EORI number.
9 German Pension Insurance - Social security issues for companies
Responsible for:
-Registration for the Social insurance for employers
-Consulting on Health, pension & accident insurance for employees
-Information on the Company number for employers
📌 Contact:
🌐 Website: www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de
📍 Local pension insurance institutions are responsible for companies.
10. business and tax consultants - private contacts for companies
Responsible for:
-Consulting for Company foundation & taxes
-Creation of Accounting & annual financial statements
-Support for VAT registration & tax returns
Contact:
Tax consultants are informed about the Chambers of tax consultants or private providers.
German Chamber of Tax Consultants: www.bstbk.de
Tip:
For international tax issues a tax consultant with experience in international tax law!
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