Excellent
| 4.89 out of 5 (677 reviews)
Form a UG online instantly, simply and fast
Legally sound from the market leader: quality and experience since 2003.
In 24 hours. Directly from a lawyer. No middlemen. No hidden costs.
Documents in 24 hours
Directly from a lawyer
Fixed price €259 net, all inclusive
As seen in
Start a business
Have your UG formed at a fixed price
With Recht 24/7 you form your UG (haftungsbeschränkt), the German mini-GmbH, quickly, simply and online. Directly from a lawyer: as a German law firm, we offer you the highest quality and legal certainty. With transparent prices and all services included (no packages, no middlemen and no hidden costs).
Full legal advice directly from a lawyer
All documents from a lawyer in 24 hours
Help scheduling your notary appointment near you
Why Recht 24/7
Start without red tape.Legally sound, from a lawyer.
We draft all formation documents, coordinate them with the notary's office and advise you until after registration. You get a fixed price, a dedicated contact person and an answer within 24 hours.
All formation documents from a lawyer
We draft the articles of association, the list of shareholders and the commercial register application, coordinate the documents with the notary's office and help you schedule your notary appointment.
Drafted and reviewed by a lawyer
Every formation is drafted and reviewed by a salaried lawyer: company name, share capital, appointment of the managing director and shareholder structure. This way you avoid follow-up questions and repeat notarizations.
Limited liability upon registration
Once notarized, your UG can do business as a "UG in formation" (UG in Gründung), and with registration the limitation of liability applies in full. Your personal assets stay out of it.
What's included
What you get for €259
net plus VAT, notary and court fees, IHK and trade registration costs
Full legal advice directly from a lawyer.
Company name check by a lawyer
Company name check with the IHK
Individual drafting of all formation documents
Articles of association
List of shareholders
Commercial register application
Managing director's service agreement
Not included: Notary fees · Commercial register and court fees · IHK membership fee · Trade registration costs
How it works
It's that simple.
5 steps, all online. You visit the notary once at most, and we guide you through the entire formation process.
Order online(10 minutes)
You place your order online and fill in our form with the details of the company.
Documents from a lawyer(24 h)
We check your company name and draft all formation documents.
Notary appointment(a few days)
We coordinate the documents with the notary's office and help you schedule your notary appointment near you. After notarization your UG can do business as a "UG in formation".
Account and deposit(1 to 2 days)
You open the business account and pay in the share capital.
Result
Usually 5 to 14 days after notarization your UG is entered in the commercial register.
Decision guide
Is a UG right for you?
A good fit if …
you want to start with little capital and still need limited liability. Your personal liability ends with the company's assets. Typical: solo founders, side projects, first startups.
Not a good fit if …
you can pay in €12,500 or more. Then a GmbH is usually the better choice: no "UG (haftungsbeschränkt)" in the name, no obligation to set aside 25% of annual net profit as a reserve.
Alternative
With a €12,500 contribution you can form a GmbH right away. Form a GmbH for €319.
Learn moreComparison
Forming a UG: online lawyer, formation portal or local law firm?
Three ways to a UG. Only one combines the fixed price of a portal with the advice of a law firm.
Price
Who drafts the documents?
Individual articles of association
Documents ready in
Notary appointment
Advice after formation
Bank account
Availability
Price
Who drafts the documents?
Individual articles of association
Documents ready in
Notary appointment
Advice after formation
Bank account
Availability
Standard protocol or individual articles of association?
At Recht 24/7 both cost €259. Notary fees are lower with the standard protocol (Musterprotokoll) (approx. €190 for one shareholder, approx. €290 for two to three), but it allows a maximum of three shareholders, one managing director and no individual provisions. Individual articles of association (notary approx. €800 to €900) can be drafted freely and make sense if you have several managing directors, rights of first refusal or more complex shareholdings. During our consultation we recommend what fits your formation.
How much share capital makes sense?
The share capital of a UG is below €25,000 and must be paid in full in cash. It should not be too tight: the company bears its own formation costs. If the share capital is lower than these costs, the company is technically overindebted on the day it is formed. That is a problem for notaries and a worse start for you. Our recommendation: at least €500, better €1,000 to €2,500. That covers the notary, the register and the first few months, and the obligation to set aside 25% of annual net profit as a reserve will hit you less hard later on.
What a UG costs to run
Formation is a one-time cost, ongoing expenses are not. With revenue of around €50,000, you should expect about €600 per year. This includes bookkeeping and tax obligations under the German tax advisor fee regulation (StBVV), as well as mandatory membership in the IHK or the Chamber of Crafts according to their fee schedules. Both items rise with revenue. On top of that comes the disclosure obligation: the annual financial statements must be filed with the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger). If you forget, you face administrative fine proceedings: avoidable, but expensive.
Why Recht 24/7
One law firm. No middlemen.
Our lawyers are salaried employees, not brokered contacts. Since 2003, more than 60,000 clients.
Lawyer Christina Schröder
founder and managing director of Recht 24/7
Formation by a lawyer
Your formation documents are drafted by a salaried lawyer, not a form generator.
Fixed price €259
All services included. No packages, no extra charges, no hidden costs.
Documents in 24 hours
After you place your order, you receive the documents on the next business day.
Insured up to €2.5 million
Professional liability insurance through HDI, for every case, without exception.
Formations supported
60,000+
clients since 2003 across all legal matters.
Client rating
4.9/5
from 677 Trusted Shops reviews.
Processing time
24 h
until your documents from the lawyer are ready.
Client stories
They worked with us. Here's what they say.
01 / 13
UG formation
Recht 24/7 helped us form a UG and working with them was excellent. Not only because they live up to their name, but also because they work through everything with you step by step. Questions were answered super quickly by a top-qualified lawyer, and the notary appointment was handled outstandingly fast.
Ahmed Sassi
Signum Label Marketing UG
Translated from German
Client reviews
What our clients say
4.89 out of 5 stars from 677 verified Trusted Shops reviews.
Client via Trusted Shops · Contract check
04/29/2026
Translated from German
Very fast, very thorough, very professional! The fast and professional evaluation and assessment of my contract helped me make an informed decision. All around very fast, very thorough, very professional!
Client via Trusted Shops · Contract review, apartment purchase
02/11/2026
Translated from German
Expectations were exceeded! At first I was skeptical whether the online service would measure up to a personal conversation with a lawyer. But Recht 24/7 exceeded my expectations. Highly qualified staff, fast response times.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
06/20/2026
Translated from German
Great experience, the processing happens in a truly unbeatable time. For me, with two orders, already in under 24 h, and that at a price that is completely unbeaten compared to the market.
Client via Trusted Shops · GmbH liquidation
01/28/2026
Translated from German
Support with the liquidation of a GmbH The responses always came very promptly, and my questions were answered clearly and understandably. My expectations were not only met but exceeded. Recommended without reservation.
Client via Trusted Shops · Terms and conditions drafting
07/16/2026
Translated from German
A clear recommendation Drafting our terms and conditions went smoothly and very quickly. The price is more than fair compared to what our lawyer charges. I can recommend this way of having terms and conditions drafted without reservation.
Client via Trusted Shops · Terms and conditions & data protection
03/04/2026
Translated from German
The terms and conditions, the privacy policy and the contract were drafted incredibly quickly and precisely. Naturally, a lawyer familiar with my field was chosen. The price-performance ratio is top.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
03/19/2026
Translated from German
Very fast response to all concerns with detailed and understandable answers. Recht 24/7 gave me the legal certainty I needed to act in a difficult situation. The costs were transparent and predictable at all times.
Client via Trusted Shops · Company formation
03/06/2026
Translated from German
Great support for founders Communication by email was fast and easy. My questions were answered competently and I was helped along with the individual steps.
Client via Trusted Shops · Trademark registration
03/31/2026
Translated from German
My application for a combined word/figurative mark was handled professionally, especially in choosing the name. This met my expectation of a successful registration of the trademark with the EUIPO.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal documents
03/18/2026
Translated from German
Fast and well-founded preparation of legal documents Very fast, yet clean and well-founded preparation of legal documents for my company. Communication takes place on an equal footing, which is often not a given.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
08/10/2026
Translated from German
I am pleasantly surprised that an online order is handled so quickly. And yet my individual case was not treated as standard; instead, its particularities were identified and taken into account.
Client via Trusted Shops · Contract check
06/30/2026
Translated from German
Fast review of my service agreement It was reviewed with good tips, and I also received comprehensive help with two follow-up questions. The user interface is also very easy to use.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
07/21/2026
Translated from German
Fast, effective, human and professional. Recommended, 100%.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
06/29/2026
Translated from German
A prompt, competent and solution-oriented answer that fully met my expectations.
Client via Trusted Shops · Contract check
04/29/2026
Translated from German
Very fast, very thorough, very professional! The fast and professional evaluation and assessment of my contract helped me make an informed decision. All around very fast, very thorough, very professional!
Client via Trusted Shops · Contract review, apartment purchase
02/11/2026
Translated from German
Expectations were exceeded! At first I was skeptical whether the online service would measure up to a personal conversation with a lawyer. But Recht 24/7 exceeded my expectations. Highly qualified staff, fast response times.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
06/20/2026
Translated from German
Great experience, the processing happens in a truly unbeatable time. For me, with two orders, already in under 24 h, and that at a price that is completely unbeaten compared to the market.
Client via Trusted Shops · GmbH liquidation
01/28/2026
Translated from German
Support with the liquidation of a GmbH The responses always came very promptly, and my questions were answered clearly and understandably. My expectations were not only met but exceeded. Recommended without reservation.
Client via Trusted Shops · Terms and conditions drafting
07/16/2026
Translated from German
A clear recommendation Drafting our terms and conditions went smoothly and very quickly. The price is more than fair compared to what our lawyer charges. I can recommend this way of having terms and conditions drafted without reservation.
Client via Trusted Shops · Terms and conditions & data protection
03/04/2026
Translated from German
The terms and conditions, the privacy policy and the contract were drafted incredibly quickly and precisely. Naturally, a lawyer familiar with my field was chosen. The price-performance ratio is top.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
03/19/2026
Translated from German
Very fast response to all concerns with detailed and understandable answers. Recht 24/7 gave me the legal certainty I needed to act in a difficult situation. The costs were transparent and predictable at all times.
Client via Trusted Shops · Company formation
03/06/2026
Translated from German
Great support for founders Communication by email was fast and easy. My questions were answered competently and I was helped along with the individual steps.
Client via Trusted Shops · Trademark registration
03/31/2026
Translated from German
My application for a combined word/figurative mark was handled professionally, especially in choosing the name. This met my expectation of a successful registration of the trademark with the EUIPO.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal documents
03/18/2026
Translated from German
Fast and well-founded preparation of legal documents Very fast, yet clean and well-founded preparation of legal documents for my company. Communication takes place on an equal footing, which is often not a given.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
08/10/2026
Translated from German
I am pleasantly surprised that an online order is handled so quickly. And yet my individual case was not treated as standard; instead, its particularities were identified and taken into account.
Client via Trusted Shops · Contract check
06/30/2026
Translated from German
Fast review of my service agreement It was reviewed with good tips, and I also received comprehensive help with two follow-up questions. The user interface is also very easy to use.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
07/21/2026
Translated from German
Fast, effective, human and professional. Recommended, 100%.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
06/29/2026
Translated from German
A prompt, competent and solution-oriented answer that fully met my expectations.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
06/29/2026
Translated from German
A prompt, competent and solution-oriented answer that fully met my expectations.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
07/21/2026
Translated from German
Fast, effective, human and professional. Recommended, 100%.
Client via Trusted Shops · Contract check
06/30/2026
Translated from German
Fast review of my service agreement It was reviewed with good tips, and I also received comprehensive help with two follow-up questions. The user interface is also very easy to use.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
08/10/2026
Translated from German
I am pleasantly surprised that an online order is handled so quickly. And yet my individual case was not treated as standard; instead, its particularities were identified and taken into account.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal documents
03/18/2026
Translated from German
Fast and well-founded preparation of legal documents Very fast, yet clean and well-founded preparation of legal documents for my company. Communication takes place on an equal footing, which is often not a given.
Client via Trusted Shops · Trademark registration
03/31/2026
Translated from German
My application for a combined word/figurative mark was handled professionally, especially in choosing the name. This met my expectation of a successful registration of the trademark with the EUIPO.
Client via Trusted Shops · Company formation
03/06/2026
Translated from German
Great support for founders Communication by email was fast and easy. My questions were answered competently and I was helped along with the individual steps.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
03/19/2026
Translated from German
Very fast response to all concerns with detailed and understandable answers. Recht 24/7 gave me the legal certainty I needed to act in a difficult situation. The costs were transparent and predictable at all times.
Client via Trusted Shops · Terms and conditions & data protection
03/04/2026
Translated from German
The terms and conditions, the privacy policy and the contract were drafted incredibly quickly and precisely. Naturally, a lawyer familiar with my field was chosen. The price-performance ratio is top.
Client via Trusted Shops · Terms and conditions drafting
07/16/2026
Translated from German
A clear recommendation Drafting our terms and conditions went smoothly and very quickly. The price is more than fair compared to what our lawyer charges. I can recommend this way of having terms and conditions drafted without reservation.
Client via Trusted Shops · GmbH liquidation
01/28/2026
Translated from German
Support with the liquidation of a GmbH The responses always came very promptly, and my questions were answered clearly and understandably. My expectations were not only met but exceeded. Recommended without reservation.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
06/20/2026
Translated from German
Great experience, the processing happens in a truly unbeatable time. For me, with two orders, already in under 24 h, and that at a price that is completely unbeaten compared to the market.
Client via Trusted Shops · Contract review, apartment purchase
02/11/2026
Translated from German
Expectations were exceeded! At first I was skeptical whether the online service would measure up to a personal conversation with a lawyer. But Recht 24/7 exceeded my expectations. Highly qualified staff, fast response times.
Client via Trusted Shops · Contract check
04/29/2026
Translated from German
Very fast, very thorough, very professional! The fast and professional evaluation and assessment of my contract helped me make an informed decision. All around very fast, very thorough, very professional!
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
06/29/2026
Translated from German
A prompt, competent and solution-oriented answer that fully met my expectations.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
07/21/2026
Translated from German
Fast, effective, human and professional. Recommended, 100%.
Client via Trusted Shops · Contract check
06/30/2026
Translated from German
Fast review of my service agreement It was reviewed with good tips, and I also received comprehensive help with two follow-up questions. The user interface is also very easy to use.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
08/10/2026
Translated from German
I am pleasantly surprised that an online order is handled so quickly. And yet my individual case was not treated as standard; instead, its particularities were identified and taken into account.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal documents
03/18/2026
Translated from German
Fast and well-founded preparation of legal documents Very fast, yet clean and well-founded preparation of legal documents for my company. Communication takes place on an equal footing, which is often not a given.
Client via Trusted Shops · Trademark registration
03/31/2026
Translated from German
My application for a combined word/figurative mark was handled professionally, especially in choosing the name. This met my expectation of a successful registration of the trademark with the EUIPO.
Client via Trusted Shops · Company formation
03/06/2026
Translated from German
Great support for founders Communication by email was fast and easy. My questions were answered competently and I was helped along with the individual steps.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
03/19/2026
Translated from German
Very fast response to all concerns with detailed and understandable answers. Recht 24/7 gave me the legal certainty I needed to act in a difficult situation. The costs were transparent and predictable at all times.
Client via Trusted Shops · Terms and conditions & data protection
03/04/2026
Translated from German
The terms and conditions, the privacy policy and the contract were drafted incredibly quickly and precisely. Naturally, a lawyer familiar with my field was chosen. The price-performance ratio is top.
Client via Trusted Shops · Terms and conditions drafting
07/16/2026
Translated from German
A clear recommendation Drafting our terms and conditions went smoothly and very quickly. The price is more than fair compared to what our lawyer charges. I can recommend this way of having terms and conditions drafted without reservation.
Client via Trusted Shops · GmbH liquidation
01/28/2026
Translated from German
Support with the liquidation of a GmbH The responses always came very promptly, and my questions were answered clearly and understandably. My expectations were not only met but exceeded. Recommended without reservation.
Client via Trusted Shops · Legal advice
06/20/2026
Translated from German
Great experience, the processing happens in a truly unbeatable time. For me, with two orders, already in under 24 h, and that at a price that is completely unbeaten compared to the market.
Client via Trusted Shops · Contract review, apartment purchase
02/11/2026
Translated from German
Expectations were exceeded! At first I was skeptical whether the online service would measure up to a personal conversation with a lawyer. But Recht 24/7 exceeded my expectations. Highly qualified staff, fast response times.
Client via Trusted Shops · Contract check
04/29/2026
Translated from German
Very fast, very thorough, very professional! The fast and professional evaluation and assessment of my contract helped me make an informed decision. All around very fast, very thorough, very professional!
Our awards and reviews reflect the highest level of client satisfaction.
At a glance
Form a UG: the essentials
UG (haftungsbeschränkt): what you should know before forming one
The Unternehmergesellschaft (haftungsbeschränkt), or UG, is the little sister of the GmbH, introduced in 2008 as Germany's answer to the British Limited. Legally it is a GmbH under § 5a GmbHG, with one special feature: you can form it with far less than €25,000 in share capital.
Liability: the core of the UG
Once entered in the commercial register, only the company's assets are liable for the UG's debts. Your personal assets stay out of it. Timing matters: between notarization and registration, limited liability does not yet fully apply. Contracts you concluded beforehand as a private individual also do not automatically move into the UG, as it is not a legal successor.
Taxes
A UG is taxed like any corporation: 15% corporate income tax on profits plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge on it, as well as trade tax depending on your municipality's multiplier. If you distribute profits, a 25% flat-rate withholding tax plus solidarity surcharge applies to the distribution.
Company name and mandatory suffix
In all business dealings your UG must always appear as "UG (haftungsbeschränkt)" or "Unternehmergesellschaft (haftungsbeschränkt)". The suffix is mandatory and must not be abbreviated. We check the name itself twice: a lawyer for legal admissibility and risk of confusion, the IHK for registrability. This saves you the most common delay in the formation process: a rejection by the registry court.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Not listed? Write to us using the contact form.
Our fee is a fixed price of €259 net. On top of that come notary fees of approx. €800 to €900 (lower with the standard protocol), approx. €300 for the registry court and the fee for the trade registration.
We draft your documents within 24 h. After the notary appointment, entry in the commercial register usually takes 5 to 14 days. From notarization onward, the company can already do business as a "UG in formation".
Less than €25,000, paid in full in cash. However, the UG must be able to cover its formation costs, otherwise it risks being overindebted right away. €500 to €1,000 is common as starting capital.
A UG must set aside 25% of its annual net profit as a reserve until share capital of €25,000 is reached. After that you can convert it into a GmbH.
Yes. A single-person UG is the most common case: you are the sole shareholder and the managing director at the same time.
No. A formation with contributions in kind is ruled out by law for a UG, the share capital must be paid in cash. Contributions in kind are only possible with a GmbH, where we offer formation with contributions in kind for an extra charge.
Usually not, if you hold 50% or more of the shares. You are then considered a controlling shareholder and treated like a self-employed person.
As a corporation: 15% corporate income tax plus a 5.5% solidarity surcharge on it, as well as trade tax depending on the municipality. When profits are distributed to you, an additional 25% flat-rate withholding tax plus solidarity surcharge applies.
No. The UG needs a new business account, opened after notarization. An account opened beforehand does not pass to the company.
No. The UG is not the legal successor of your previous sole proprietorship. Existing contracts must be newly concluded with the contracting parties or transferred.
Yes. Either through notarization by a notary abroad with an apostille, or through a German embassy or consulate. We prepare the necessary documents and powers of attorney.
Not necessarily. If a shareholder cannot attend, we prepare the power of attorney for that shareholder. We help you schedule your notary appointment near you.
In full from entry in the commercial register. Between notarization and registration, you are still personally liable as the person acting.
About 10 days after entry in the commercial register, the tax office will contact you. We advise you on filling in the tax questionnaire, and this is included in the price.
