Excellent
| 4.89 out of 5 (677 reviews)
Set up a foundation with support from a lawyer
We draft the foundation deed and charter, advise you on the application to the competent foundation authority and agree non-profit charters with the tax office. No law firm appointment, no hourly rate.
Documents in 3 to 5 business days
Directly from a lawyer
Fixed price €1,449 net, all inclusive
As seen in
Start a business
Set up a foundation at a fixed price
We draft the foundation deed and charter, advise you on the application to the competent foundation authority and agree non-profit charters with the tax office. No law firm appointment, no hourly rate.
€1,449 fixed price, plus official fees
3 to 6 months until recognition
Realistic from approx. €50,000 in assets, based on the authorities' practice
Why Recht 24/7
Formation with a lawyer.At a fixed price.
Charter from a lawyer
The foundation deed, the charter and the necessary formation documents are drafted by a salaried lawyer, tailored to your purpose.
Advice on recognition
We advise you on the application to the competent foundation authority and agree non-profit charters with the tax office in advance.
Fixed price €1,449
The price is fixed before you book, no hourly rate.
What's included
What you get for €1,449
net plus VAT, fees of the foundation authority and the foundation register, notary fees if applicable
Comprehensive advice on choosing the right type of foundation (e.g. foundation with legal capacity, trust foundation) and on the legal framework
All documents individually from a lawyer
Foundation charter and the necessary formation documents.
Support with entering the foundation in the foundation register
Advice on the application to the competent foundation authority
Your lawyer stays on it
Personal advice from a lawyer plus two months of follow-up after completion.
Not included: Official fees · Notary fees (only needed if real estate or company shares are contributed) · Ongoing tax advice and the foundation's tax returns (a job for your tax advisor)
How it works
It's that simple.
5 steps, all online. We support you through the entire formation process.
Week 1
Structural advice and questionnaire: goal, assets, family, purpose.
Weeks 2 to 3
We draft the necessary documents and finalize them with you.
Weeks 3 to 6
For non-profit status: preliminary agreement of the charter with the tax office.
Months 2 to 6
Advice on the application to the competent foundation authority.
Result
Your foundation is recognized as having legal capacity. You transfer the dedicated assets, and the foundation starts its work.
Decision guide
Is this right for you?
A good fit if ...
you want to dedicate assets of approx. €50,000 or more permanently to a purpose: a non-profit cause or the long-term support of your family, including protecting the assets across generations.
Not a good fit if ...
you want to keep flexible control over the assets: endowed assets are, as a rule, irrevocably committed. A foundation has no shareholders and cannot be unwound on a whim.
Alternative
For non-profit work with less capital and more flexibility: form a gGmbH (non-profit GmbH) for €949 or a gUG (non-profit UG) for €829. To get your bearings first: initial consultation for €169.
Learn moreComparison
Non-profit foundation or family foundation?
Both are foundations with legal capacity under civil law, governed by §§ 80 et seq. of the German Civil Code (BGB): ownerless assets with a charter, an executive board and a claim to perpetuity. Before drafting, we work out with you which type fits your goal.
Purpose
Tax status
Founder's special expenses deduction
Substitute inheritance tax (Erbersatzsteuer)
Supervision
Typical use
Purpose
Tax status
Founder's special expenses deduction
Substitute inheritance tax (Erbersatzsteuer)
Supervision
Typical use
Why Recht 24/7
One law firm. No middlemen.
Our lawyers are employed by us, not brokered. Since 2003.
Lawyer Christina Schröder
founder and managing director of Recht 24/7
Formation by a lawyer
Articles of association, statutes and the register filing are drafted by a lawyer: no generator, no template.
Fixed price incl. advice
Formation advice on your order is included in the price, with no hourly rate.
Documents within 24 hours
You get all formation documents within 24 hours. We help you schedule your notary appointment near you.
Insured up to €2.5 million
Professional liability insurance with HDI. For every matter, without exception.
Clients since 2003
60,000+
supported on all legal matters.
Client rating
4.9/5
from 677 Trusted Shops reviews.
Insured amount
€2.5M
Professional liability cover for every matter.
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
Set up a foundation: the essentials
Setting up a foundation: assets with a claim to perpetuity
A foundation with legal capacity is the only legal form in German private law without an owner: no shareholder, no member, no heir. The dedicated assets belong to the foundation itself and serve, permanently, the purpose the founder laid down in the charter. It is precisely this ownerlessness that makes the foundation the strongest instrument when assets are to be held together across generations or a cause is to be supported permanently.
The foundation: foundation deed and charter
The formation consists of two documents. The foundation deed (Stiftungsgeschäft) is the founder's binding declaration to dedicate specific assets to a specific purpose. The charter governs name, registered office, purpose, assets and governing bodies (§ 81 BGB). Since the foundation law reform of July 1, 2023, the civil law on foundations has been uniformly regulated at federal level in the BGB; the former patchwork of 16 state foundation acts is history as far as civil law is concerned. The foundation is still recognized by the foundation authority of the federal state in which it is to have its registered office.
Recognition is a real procedure
The authority checks whether the permanent and sustainable fulfillment of the purpose appears secured: do the assets support the purpose? Is the charter free of contradictions? Are the governing bodies staffed so they can act? There is no statutory minimum amount; in practice, approx. €50,000 is considered the lower limit for perpetual foundations. If you want to commit less, you can opt for a spend-down foundation, which may use up its capital for the purpose over at least 10 years, or for alternatives such as a trust foundation or a gGmbH.
Non-profit or family: two worlds, one legal form
The non-profit foundation pursues purposes under §§ 52 to 54 AO, is tax-exempt and rewards the founder with a special expenses deduction of up to €1 million over 10 years (§ 10b EStG). In addition to foundation law, its charter must comply with non-profit law, which is why agreeing it with the tax office in advance is part of the procedure. The family foundation forgoes tax privileges and serves the family instead: it protects assets from fragmentation through inheritance and from third-party claims, and it holds businesses together. Its price is the substitute inheritance tax every 30 years, its strength is control across generations. The tax calculation for both models is a job for your tax advisor; the civil law structure is a lawyer's work.
The most common mistake: charters that are too narrow or too vague
A foundation charter has to reconcile two opposites: specific enough for recognition, flexible enough for decades that no one can foresee. The wording of the purpose, the rules for asset management and the succession of governing bodies decide whether the foundation will still be able to function in 30 years. Later amendments to the charter are possible but narrowly limited and require approval. Taking care with the first version therefore pays off twice.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Not listed? Write to us using the contact form.
Our fee is a fixed price of €1,449 net. On top of that come the recognition fee of the foundation authority (approx. €100 to €1,500 depending on the federal state), the fee for entry in the foundation register, and notary fees only if real estate or company shares are contributed (depending on their value). On request, we handle the mandatory report to the Transparency Register for €129. The foundation's assets themselves are not a fee: they remain the assets of your foundation.
The law sets no minimum amount but requires that the permanent and sustainable fulfillment of the purpose appears secured (§ 80 BGB). In practice, the authorities usually accept foundations with legal capacity from approx. €50,000, and €100,000 is often recommended. If the assets generate lower returns, we look at a spend-down foundation (Verbrauchsstiftung) as an alternative.
We have the charter and foundation deed ready in 2 to 3 weeks. The authority's recognition procedure takes 2 to 6 months, depending on the federal state and complexity.
A gGmbH has shareholders who can amend the articles of association and dissolve the company. A foundation belongs to no one: once recognized, its purpose is, as a rule, permanently fixed and its assets are committed. That makes it less flexible, but precisely for that reason the strongest instrument for permanently committing assets to a purpose and protecting them.
A foundation that may use up its assets for its purpose over at least 10 years instead of only using the income (§ 80(1) BGB). It is suitable if the capital is too small for a perpetual foundation or the purpose is intended to be time-limited.
Both. During your lifetime by foundation deed, upon death by will or contract of inheritance. A foundation set up upon death needs to be worded especially carefully, because you can no longer answer the authority's questions. That is why many founders set up a foundation with small capital during their lifetime and top it up by will (additional endowment, Zustiftung).
Yes, through how it is designed: you can appoint yourself to the executive board for life, set up a board of trustees with family members and lay down succession rules. What you can't do: take the assets back or change the purpose at will. This limit is the price of asset protection.
The foundation itself is exempt from corporate income tax and trade tax. The founder can deduct contributions to the endowment capital of up to €1 million (up to €2 million for spouses) as special expenses over 10 years (§ 10b EStG). The specific tax planning belongs in the hands of your tax advisor; we provide the charter that complies with non-profit law.
Family foundations pay a tax every 30 years that simulates an inheritance (Erbersatzsteuer). In return, the assets are not fragmented by actual inheritances. Your tax advisor will calculate whether this pays off for your family; we design the civil law structure.
The state foundation supervisory authority of the respective federal state checks whether the executive board and asset management follow the charter. Non-profit foundations also report to the tax office. In most federal states, family foundations are subject to only limited supervision.
Yes, at least one executive board member is a mandatory governing body (§ 84 BGB). 1 to 3 people are common, supplemented by a board of trustees or an advisory board as a supervisory body. We set up the governance structure in the charter according to your wishes.
Yes, twice: foundations with legal capacity must report their beneficial owners to the Transparency Register (§ 20 of the German Money Laundering Act, GwG), and with the new foundation register there is an additional registration requirement from 2026, after which the foundation bears the suffix "e. S.". We support you with the entry in the foundation register and handle the report to the Transparency Register for €129.
Yes. Foundations can hold GmbH shares and other interests: as a company-affiliated foundation, this is a proven model for succession (well-known examples have existed for decades). Contributing the shares requires notarial form and tax support from your tax advisor.
