The Handelsregister, or Commercial Register in English, is a public directory maintained electronically at local courts (Amtsgerichte) in Germany. It records merchants and commercial companies under their name and makes certain legal acts public, adhering to the principle of publicity.
What is “Handelsregister”?
The Handelsregister is crucial for the transparency and legality of business operations within Germany. It serves as a national register that stores entries about businesses, making them subject to the regulations of the German Commercial Code (HGB). This register is divided into two departments: Department A for registered merchants and partnerships, and Department B for corporations. The inclusion in this register is mandatory for most businesses, except for freelancers and small businesses, and it provides a boost of credibility, especially for foreign business partners.
More information about “Handelsregister”
Entries in the Handelsregister are public, allowing potential business partners, customers, and third parties to learn about a company’s business situation. This transparency is essential for the credibility and legal functioning of businesses in Germany. The register is kept electronically and is accessible to the public, ensuring that the information is up-to-date and reliable. It includes details such as the company name, share capital, and the persons authorised to represent the company.
Related to “Handelsregister”
Here are some additional terms that are related to Handelsregister:
- Unternehmensregister: A business register that draws information from the Handelsregister and the Bundesanzeiger (federal gazette), serving as a service for third parties.
- AmtsgerichtThe Amtsgericht, literally translated as "District Court" in English, is the first level of the ordinary judiciary system in Germany.... More: The local court responsible for maintaining the Handelsregister.
- HGB (Handelsgesetzbuch): The German Commercial Code that outlines the regulations businesses listed in the Handelsregister must adhere to.
- HandelsregisternummerThe Handelsregisternummer, literally translated as "Trade Register Number," is a unique identifier assigned to businesses when they are listed in... More: A unique number assigned to each business listed in the Handelsregister, used for identification purposes.
The Handelsregister plays a pivotal role in ensuring the transparency and legality of business operations in Germany, making it an essential component of the country’s commercial infrastructure[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].