This page summarizes Doing Business 2015 data for Germany. The first section presents the Ease of Doing Business rank (out of 189 economies) and the distance to frontier (DTF)** measure, overall and by topic. The second section summarizes the key indicators for each topic benchmarked against regional averages.

As Europe’s largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent’s economic, political, and defence organisations.

Keeping up-to-date with the latest statistics and analyses: The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy publishes regular reports on the state of the German economy, economic development trends, and offers detailed background analyses for key areas of economic policy.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Germany expanded 0.40 percent in the second quarter of 2015 over the previous quarter. … German GDP Growth Confirmed at 0.4% in Q2. The German economy grew a seasonally-adjusted 0.4 percent in the first quarter of 2015, accelerating from a 0.3 …

Below is a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Germany. It examines the procedures, time and cost involved in launching a commercial or industrial firm with between 10 and 50 employees and start-up capital of 10 times the economy’s per-capita gross national income.

Are you allowed to start up a business under Germany’s law on foreigners?

This World Bank site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Germany.

Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) (Company with limited liability)This is the most widespread company form. Its shareholders are not personally responsible for the company’s debts.

Germany is home to tens of thousands of businesses ranging from small sole proprietorships to large conglomerates. In fact, a large part of the reason for the prominence of Germany’s economy on the world stage can be linked to the small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) of the Mittelstand. The German government is very open to the establishment of all types of businesses – regardless of whether or not it involves a German or a foreigner.

The following text provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles an entrepreneur is required to overcome in order to incorporate and register a new firm / business in Germany.

The Corporate Tax Rate in Germany stands at 29.65 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Germany averaged 39.78 percent from 1995 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 56.80 percent in 1995 and a record low of 29.40 percent in 2009. Corporate Tax Rate in Germany is reported by the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt).

H&R Block information on paying taxes in Germany.

Personal income tax is imposed on the income of individuals, who are resident in Germany or have their normal place of abode there, have full income tax liability. All the income earned at home and abroad is subject to German tax. A foreign resident, who is employed in Germany, pays tax only on income earned in Germany

The EU sets the broad VAT rules through European VAT Directives, and has set the minimum standard VAT rate at 15%.  The 28 member states are otherwise free to set their standard VAT rates.  

From the state owned economic development agency NRW.Invest

The Sales Tax Rate in Germany stands at 19 percent. Sales Tax Rate in Germany averaged 17.69 percent from 2000 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 19 percent in 2007 and a record low of 16 percent in 2001. Sales Tax Rate in Germany is reported by the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt).

Travelling to Germany has never been more organized and stress-free no matter what the purpose of your travel is. Due to Schengen Agreement reached in 1985 among the majority of the EU member states, the citizens of the designated countries are allowed to travel visa free among the Schengen territories, 

If you want to work in Germany – and you’re not from the EU/EEA or Switzerland – you’ll need a work permit, which will be linked to your residence status in Germany.

Citizens of the European Union, as well as citizens of the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the Republic of Korea can apply for their residence permit for work purposes after entering Germany without a visa. Citizens of other countries are required to apply and obtain a visa for work purposes before entering Germany.

Going to Germany? This website will help you to find out whether or not you need a visa and will guide you through the application process. It also allows you to download free of charge the relevant application forms. German Embassy US

Although the German transportation network was heavily damaged during World War II, the FRG system is now one of the best developed in Europe (although much of the infrastructure in the former GDR needs significant improvement). Because of the FRG’s central location, almost all continental surface traffic has to cross its terrain. In 2002, the railroad system consisted of 44,000 km (27,341 mi) of operational track, with the greater part operated by the government-owned Federal Railways System. About 20,300 km (12,614 mi) of the trackage is electrified.

Germany Trade and Investment website link with information on German infrastructure.

Germany’s telecommunication system is highly developed. Germany telecommunication market has been fully liberalized since January 1, 1998. Germany is served by an extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to foreign countries. 

Germany has one of the world’s most technologically advanced telecommunications systems; as a result of intensive capital expenditures since reunification, the formerly backward system of the eastern part of the country, dating back to World War II, has been modernized and integrated with that of the western part 

German Labor Department website link with German employer obligations

Germany – Employer of Record

The Basic Law guarantees freedom of association (Art. 9 para. 3) as well as free choice of occupation and prohibition of forced labour (Art. 12). It also establishes the principle of equal treatment and in particular obliges the state to support the effective realization of gender equality

German Labor Laws

Germany has an elaborate social security system that sees to it that its citizens live comfortably even if they’re sick, disabled, unemployed or retired. Expatriates can also participate in the system to a large degree.

Basic security benefits for jobseekers (Grundsicherung für Arbeitssuchende) provide a single set of benefits for those who can work but are unemployed or do not earn enough to cover basic living expenses. Benefits are handled by the Federal Employment Agency and local authorities.

Germany Warnings or Dangers: 186 tips on traveling safely in Germany from real … I’m staying few weeks in München and found the place safe and comfortable.

The dos and don’ts of business etiquette in Germany

In many respects, Germans can be considered the masters of planning. This is a culture that prizes forward thinking and knowing what they will be doing at a specific time on a specific day. 

As with most European countries, Germany is a year-round destination but not especially dependable weather-wise. In general terms though, it’s a temperate country with warm summers and cold winters – prolonged periods of frost or snow are rare. Rain falls throughout the year, with much of Germany experiencing its maximum rainfall over the high summer months. Unpredictability, then, is a major factor.

Germany’s climate is almost as varied as its country but it is mostly temperate. Extreme temperature lows and highs are rare. Winter temperatures vary from west to east, with around freezing temperatures in the west and well below freezing in the east of Germany.

Internations website link with information on safety and security

Internations website link with information on the cost and standard of living in Germany

Germany performs well in many measures of well-being relative to most other countries in the Better Life Index. Germany ranks above the average in education and skills, work-life balance, jobs and earnings, environmental quality, social connections, housing, personal security and subjective well-being, but below average in civic engagement.

Internations website link with information on family, children and education

Public Holidays in Germany

Demographic information includes population, quality of life, health, sports, technology, energy and the environment

Three trends are characteristic of demographic developments in Germany: a low birth rate, increasing life expectancy and an aging society. 

The education system in Germany varies from state to state, although the basic K-12/13 system is fairly uniform. (Some states still require 13 years of secondary academic study.)

A listing of national holidays and observances

Import and export regulations from German customs

As free trade provides an important impulse for global economic growth and an improved standard of living, Germany supports open markets and the liberalization of international trade within a set of clear and multilaterally negotiated agreements.

This site provides information on Germany’s participation in the WTO. Germany has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and  a member of GATT since 1 October 1951. It is a member State of the European Union (more info). All EU member States are WTO members, as is the EU (until 30 November 2009 known officially in the WTO as the European Communities for legal reasons) in its own right.

Internations website link with information on housing and accommodations in Germany

Apartments in Germany

From half-timbered medieval towns to cosmopolitan cities, Germany offers a thoroughly engaging mix of tradition and modernity. 

Tourism in Germany – travel, breaks, holidays. … Welcome to Destination Germany.