See how these companies found their way to Germany and how Germany Trade & Invest helped them find the right location for their business.
Sarah Gates, Director of Corporate Affairs & Governance, Wayve
Wayve Logo
"Expanding testing operations to Germany was an important step in the development of Wayve’s safe and globally scalable driving AI for the automotive industry. With the help of Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI), who connected us with the right people and advice, we successfully established our first mainland European testing and development centre in the Stuttgart region, bringing our AI to one of the world’s leading automotive markets."
Highly innovative British companies setting up in Germany
An Interview with Rob Scheid, Director UK & Ireland at Germany Trade & Invest
Q: Rob, how has Brexit impacted UK companies looking to expand into Europe, and what role does Germany play in this new landscape?
A: Brexit has certainly reshaped the way UK companies approach European expansion. Germany has emerged as a top EU destination for British businesses post-Brexit. Now that we have had several years to assess trends, we can safely say there is a strong increase in UK companies establishing operations in Germany, driven largely by the need to maintain seamless access to the EU market. Germany’s central location, strong industrial economy, and talent make it an ideal gateway to Europe.
Q: What kinds of UK companies are investing in Germany right now?
A: We're seeing a surge in highly innovative companies, particularly in sectors like software and IT, fintech, and digital health. These firms are growing rapidly and looking to internationalize. SMEs are especially active, setting up legal entities in Germany to ensure continuity and growth within the EU framework.
Q: Can you share some recent examples of UK investments in Germany?
A: Certainly. One standout investment in 2025 was by Wayve, a London-based tech company pioneering AI-driven autonomous driving software. We supported their first expansion into Europe, and they’ve now established a presence in Stuttgart—one of the world’s premier hubs for automotive innovation and manufacturing. The largest investment last year was a 300 million euro data center by Yondr Group in Brandenburg outside Berlin. Other large British corporates like Vodafone and Rolls Royce each committed millions to their German operations in 2024 as well.
Q: What makes Germany such an attractive destination for UK investors?
A: Germany is Europe’s largest economy by GDP and market size. It’s embarking on a major transformation driven by massive public investment in infrastructure, energy, digitization, and defense. Its central location offers easy access to markets across Europe. Plus, setting up a business involves clearly defined steps and strong institutional support. The current government is working to ease bureaucracy and make it even easier to get a business up and running.
Q: How is GTAI supporting UK companies in this transition?
A: GTAI provides comprehensive support to British and other international companies looking to establish operations in Germany. We assist with everything from market entry strategies to legal setup and regulatory guidance. Our goal is to make the expansion process as smooth and successful as possible, regardless of company size.
Q: What trends are you seeing in UK FDI into Germany?
A: The number of UK investment projects in Germany hit an all-time record in 2019, leveled out during the pandemic, and then grew by20% in 2022. In the five years since the UK left the EU, British investment has climbed to third overall, behind only the USA and nearly even with Switzerland. In 2024, 137 investment projects were committed.
Q: What advice would you give to UK companies considering expansion into Germany?
A: Don’t wait. Germany offers stability, innovation, and access to a vast market. Whether you're a scaleup or an established enterprise, the opportunities are significant. Reach out to GTAI—we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Log in and add this element to a dossier. Manage your dossiers and export them as PDF in your personal area. Find and add elements to your dossiers anywhere on the website.
How to Set Up a Company in Germany
A subsidiary is a popular option for establishing a business in Germany. UK companies can easily incorporate a GmbH in Germany.
The German limited liability company (GmbH) is the most popular company form for a subsidiary. It requires a minimum share capital of EUR 25,000. The GmbH requires a German address and a local representative on site in Germany. The GmbH offers limited liability and high flexibility.
For more details on how to set up a GmbH in Germany, please refer to the company set up chapter in our Investment Guide to Germany.
Log in and add this element to a dossier. Manage your dossiers and export them as PDF in your personal area. Find and add elements to your dossiers anywhere on the website.
Entry Regulations to Germany for UK Citizens
British citizens can in general visit Germany for a short-term stay without a visa. Business visitors and company executives may benefit from this exemption alike.
New visa regulations
With the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, UK citizens no longer benefit from free movement to work and stay within the EU. This means that UK citizens moving to Germany will be subject to German national immigration rules. British citizens moving to Germany require a residence permit to live and work in Germany.
Visa exemption rules
British citizens do not require a visa to enter Germany for short-term stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), unless an economic ativity is being pursued. Specific professional activities are however exempted from a visa requirement. For example, business travelers and executives may be exempt from the visa requirement under certain conditions.
UK citizens can apply for a residence permit on site in Germany. Requirements depend on the person’s status as employed or self-employed. For more details please refer to our Investment Guide to Germany chapter on entry and residence.
For UK-specific residency requirements please refer to the dedicated website published by the German Missions in the UK.
Log in and add this element to a dossier. Manage your dossiers and export them as PDF in your personal area. Find and add elements to your dossiers anywhere on the website.
FAQs: Beyond Brexit - Expanding to Germany
Germany remains one of the most important business locations for UK companies setting up business operations abroad and the trend continues to be positive. Here we provide answers to the most important questions.
Log in and add this element to a dossier. Manage your dossiers and export them as PDF in your personal area. Find and add elements to your dossiers anywhere on the website.
Investor's Basics - Setting Up Business in Germany
Anyone can establish a business in Germany, irrespective of nationality or place of residence. Download our Investor's Basics to find useful tips on how to establish a new business in Germany.
Incentives in Germany - Supporting Your Investment Project
Germany offers numerous incentives for international companies. Download this publication for an overview of available programmes and eligibility criteria.
Log in and add this element to a dossier. Manage your dossiers and export them as PDF in your personal area. Find and add elements to your dossiers anywhere on the website.
