Business registration

If you carry out commercial activities in Munich, register your business here.

Course description

you have a commercial establishment as your main or branch office in Munich. Your activity can be carried out either as a main or secondary occupation. The only decisive factor is the intention to make a profit and not the actual realisation of a profit.

Submit your business registration in good time before or at the latest when you start your business.

This is how online registration works:

  1. start registration
  2. Register with Bayern ID (eID not required!)
  3. Upload documents
  4. Pay online
  5. Receive trade licence by post

You will receive the final confirmation (trade licence) by post.

If you require further information on all topics relating to setting up a business, the Munich Start-up Office offers you a wide range of advice and information.

Prerequisites

  • Trade Only commercial activities must be registered with the Trade Licensing Office. You can have the Institute for Liberal Professions check whether you fall under the liberal professions and therefore do not need to register a business.
  • Additional requirements for skilled crafts activities requiring a master craftsman's licence can only be registered here if they have previously been entered in the skilled crafts register for your new business. You can obtain advice on craft trades directly from the Chamber of Crafts for Munich and Upper Bavaria.
  • Additional requirements for activities requiring a permit Please note: For activities requiring a permit, the relevant permit must be submitted when registering the trade.
    • Authorisations issued by the Trade Licensing Office
    • Frequent authorisations from other authorities
      • to be applied for at the IHK: For example, for property brokerage, property developers, building supervisors, insurance brokerage and financial investment brokerage.
      • employment agency in Nuremberg: Responsible for commercial temporary employment (temporary work)
      • BaFin licences: For example, for banking transactions and credit services.

Duration and costs

Processing time

You can speed up processing by using our online service to register your business.

Fees and charges

50 to 60 euros (depending on the legal form)

Available payment methods

Questions & Answers

A trade is any self-employed, permanent and authorised activity that is aimed at making a profit.

Agriculture and forestry (primary production), the liberal professions (e.g. doctors, alternative practitioners, lawyers, tax consultants, journalists) and the management of one's own assets are not considered a trade.

In terms of trade law, liberal professions are "liberal, scientific, artistic and literary activities or services of a higher nature that require higher education". Higher education requires a university or university of applied sciences degree.

The definition of liberal professions under trade law is not the same as the definition under tax law.

In the case of partnerships (e.g. BGB companies, OHG, KG), the partners authorised to manage the business must register as tradespeople.

In the case of legal entities (e.g. GmbH, AG), the legal representatives (e.g. managing director of a GmbH) are obliged to register.

Yes, a declaration of consent from a parent or legal guardian is sufficient for part-time work. If you work full-time, the authorisation of the guardianship court is required.

No, it is also possible to register through an authorised representative. An informal power of attorney with identification of the person granting the power of attorney and the authorised representative is sufficient. When registering online, the power of attorney is uploaded during the registration process.

You need a valid residence permit issued in Germany to pursue self-employment. The residence permit will be uploaded during the online registration process.

In principle, it is possible to visit in person after making an appointment.

We recommend that you use the online registration.

  • Extract from the register
  • existing licences
  • existing trade licence
  • existing residence permit
  • existing power of attorney

please remember that you will also need to show your ID card or passport when you come in person.

If you carry out a trade that requires supervision in accordance with § 38 GewO (for example motor vehicle trade, second-hand goods trade, travel agencies or locksmith services), we will be happy to request the necessary certificate of good conduct and extract from the central trade register for you.

Gewerbeamt

If you have any questions, please contact us by e-mail. In exceptional cases, you can make an appointment online here.

Internet address

Phone number

Consultation hours

  • Mon 07:30 - 15:30
  • Tue 07:30 - 15:30
  • Wed 07:30 - 15:30
  • Thu 07:30 - 15:30
  • Fri 07:30 - 13:00
  • Sat Closed
  • Sun Closed

Postal address

Gewerbeamt

Ruppertstraße 19
80466 München

Address

Implerstraße 11
81371 München

By appointment only

Related services

Duplicate (trade licence)

If you need a new copy of your trade licence for Munich, you can apply to us for a duplicate.

Clearance certificate

If you need to prove your tax reliability, you can obtain confirmation that you have always met your payment obligations.

Advice on setting up a business and self-employment

If you would like to become self-employed as your main or secondary occupation or set up your own company, we will be happy to support you.