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The German private limited liability company (GmbH) is the most widely used legal form for corporations. It combines a high degree of flexibility with relatively few obligations.

Besides the GmbH and branch office forms, German company law offers several other company forms that may be used by foreign companies expanding into the German market.

Any foreign company with a head office and registered business operations outside of Germany can register a German branch office.

The Limited Liability Entrepreneurial Company “Unternehmergesellschaft (haftungsbeschränkt)" is a start-up version of the GmbH with a share capital of less than EUR 25,000. It is often referred to as "Mini-GmbH".

Setting up a German market presence requires a legal structure. Expanding foreign companies generally opt to establish a local subsidiary or register a local branch office.