Notary Costs Calculator
Calculate fees for GmbH formation, capital increase and articles amendment
Calculate notary costs
According to German Court and Notary Costs Act (GNotKG)
Estimated costs
Notarization according to GNotKG
Registration fee
Announcement
Note on calculations
Actual costs may vary depending on the notary and complexity of the transaction. The calculation is based on GNotKG (German Court and Notary Costs Act). Additional costs for consultation, document preparation or special arrangements are not included.
Cost Overview by Transaction
| Transaction | Notary costs | Register fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| GmbH formation €25,000 share capital | ~500 € | ~150 € | ~680 € |
| UG formation Standard protocol | ~190 € | ~150 € | ~370 € |
| Capital increase €25,000 increase | ~375 € | ~70 € | ~465 € |
| Articles amendment Simple amendment | ~250 € | ~70 € | ~340 € |
| Managing director change Certification | ~180 € | ~70 € | ~250 € |
| Share transfer €25,000 purchase price | ~330 € | ~70 € | ~420 € |
All figures are reference values according to GNotKG. Actual costs may vary.
Complete GmbH Formation Costs
Notary costs
€400-800 depending on share capital
Commercial register
~€150 registration fee
Publication
~€30 announcement
Share capital
€25,000 (min. €12,500 to be paid in)
Chamber of Commerce fee
€120-200 in the first year
Business registration
€20-60 depending on municipality
How Are Notary Costs Calculated?
Notary costs in Germany are calculated according to the German Court and Notary Costs Act (GNotKG). The law sets binding fee rates that all notaries must apply equally. The amount of fees depends on the transaction value (share capital for formations) and the type of transaction.
Fee Table According to GNotKG (Excerpt)
| Transaction value | Full fee (1.0) |
|---|---|
| up to €10,000 | 75 € |
| up to €25,000 | 115 € |
| up to €50,000 | 165 € |
| up to €100,000 | 273 € |
| up to €200,000 | 435 € |
| up to €500,000 | 935 € |
For GmbH formation, typically a 2.0x fee is charged for notarization. With €25,000 share capital, this results in: €115 × 2.0 = €230 base fee, plus expenses and VAT.
Frequently Asked Questions About Notary Costs
What does a notary cost for GmbH formation?
Notary fees for GmbH formation with €25,000 share capital are approximately €400-600. Additionally, commercial register fees (approx. €150) and publication costs (approx. €30) apply. With higher share capital, notary costs increase according to GNotKG.
How are notary costs calculated?
Notary costs are calculated according to the German Court and Notary Costs Act (GNotKG). The transaction value (share capital for formations) determines the fee level. For notarizations, typically a 2.0x fee is charged, for certifications a 0.2x fee.
What does UG formation cost at the notary?
UG formation with standard protocol costs approximately €190 at the notary (with up to 3 shareholders and one managing director). Additionally, commercial register fees (approx. €150) and publication costs (approx. €30) apply. Total costs are approximately €370.
What does a capital increase cost at the notary?
Notary costs for a capital increase depend on the increase amount. For an increase of €25,000, notary costs are approximately €250-400. Additionally, commercial register fees (approx. €70) and publication costs (approx. €20) apply.
What does a managing director change cost?
A managing director change costs approximately €150-250 at the notary for signature certification. Commercial register filing costs approximately €70. Total costs are approximately €220-320.
Can notary costs be tax-deductible?
Yes, notary costs for formations and commercial register filings are tax-deductible as business expenses or formation costs. For GmbH formation, costs are recorded as formation expenses. Capital increases and articles amendments are also deductible.
What is the difference between notarization and certification?
For notarization, the notary creates a deed and reads it aloud – e.g., for GmbH formation (more expensive, 2.0x fee). For certification, the notary only confirms the authenticity of a signature – e.g., for commercial register filing (cheaper, 0.2x fee).
What additional costs arise during GmbH formation?
Beyond notary costs: Commercial register entry (~€150), publication (~€30), Chamber of Commerce fee (€120-200/year), business registration (€20-60), business account opening (€0-50) and possibly tax advisor (€500-1,500). The share capital (min. €25,000) is of course additional.
Starting a company? Calculate share capital!
Calculate the optimal share capital for your GmbH or UG with our share capital calculator.