Germany has a social market economy with a highly skilled labour force, a low level of corruption, and a high level of innovation. It is the world's third-largest exporter and third-largest importer of goods, and has the largest economy in Europe, which is also the world's fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP, and the fifth-largest by PPP. Its GDP per capita measured in purchasing power standards amounts to 121% of the EU27 average (100%).
Germany is part of the European single market which represents more than 450 million consumers.
Of the world's 500 largest stock-market-listed companies measured by revenue , the Fortune Global 500, 29 are headquartered in Germany. 30 major Germany-based companies are included in the DAX, the German stock market index which is operated by Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Well-known international brands include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Siemens, Allianz, Adidas, Porsche, Bosch and Deutsche Telekom. Berlin is a hub for startup companies and has become the leading location for venture capital funded firms in the European Union. Germany is recognised for its large portion of specialised small and medium enterprises, known as the Mittelstand model. These companies represent 48% global market leaders in their segments, labelled hidden champions.
Germany is one of the leading nations for several technologies of the future. These include biotechnology, IT and numerous high-tech divisions in individual sectors, for example aviation, aerospace, electrical engineering and logistics. Companies specialising in environmental technology have emerged and as front runners. IT follows car-making and electronics/electrical engineering as the third largest sector and bio and genetic engineering is second to the United States worldwide.
The German banking system includes retail banks, cooperative banks, public-sector institutions such as the savings banks (Sparkassen) and the regional, state-owned Landesbanken. All of them offer banking services to private persons and businesses. One of the public-sector institutions is the KfW-Mittelstandsbank, which has the statutory duty to assist the formation of new businesses and grant investment loans to small and medium-sized businesses.
The standard rate of VAT in Germany has been 19% since 1 January 2007. A lower rate of 7% is charged for convenience goods and services needed on a day-to-day basis (such as food, newspapers or public transport). Some services (including banking, healthcare and non-profit work) are VAT exempt.
There are no substantial restrictions on foreign investments in Germany. Foreign investors are generally subjected to the same conditions as German investors.
No permanent currency or administrative controls are applicable. However, certain investments may involve official registration and permit regulations, which may entail considerable bureaucracy. For example, special licences are required for risky business practices like insurance, commercial banking, brokers and agents. Special business permits are required because of environmental regulation pursuant to the Federal Pollution Control Act (Bundesimmissionsschutzgesetz). The local administration and tax authorities have regulations which have to be followed when you want to register.
Foreign investors see that Germany is a good location for manufacturing, research and development and establishing companies headquarters. It ranks as one of the world's most attractive investment locations (alongside investment locations like China and the United States).
In particular the services sector makes a strong impression among investors. The sectors of renewable energy, mechanics and electronics, chemicals and health are also seen as ttractive. International investors have realized that Germany is reliable and competitive; this applies to the full range of high technologies and services. Investing companies are mainly from Europe, Asia and North America.
Germany has an ample legislation regarding the protection of intellectual property (IP). The regulations refer to copyright, trademark, design, utility model and patent protection. An intellectual property lawyer from our team can help investors understand the principles of IP protection in this country and can help with IP protection services.
All the laws have been drafted before Germany became an European Union member state but were subsequently modified and amended to be compatible to EU regulations regarding the protection of intellectual property.
The particularity of the German legislation is that the Civil Code also contains provisions about intellectual property protection. German inventors also have the possibility to register for intellectual property protection with the Community Trademarks.
Germany has a civil law system based on Roman law with some references to Germanic law. The Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court) is the German Supreme Court responsible for constitutional matters, with power of judicial review. Germany's supreme court system is specialised: for civil and criminal cases, the highest court of appeal is the inquisitorial Federal Court of Justice, and for other affairs the courts are the Federal Labour Court, the Federal Social Court, the Federal Finance Court and the Federal Administrative Court.
Criminal and private laws are codified on the national level in the Strafgesetzbuch and the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch respectively. The German penal system seeks the rehabilitation of the criminal and the protection of the public. Except for petty crimes, which are tried before a single professional judge, and serious political crimes, all charges are tried before mixed tribunals on which lay judges (Schöffen) sit side by side with professional judges.
Our law firm VLO provides legal services for corporate and private clients in Germany. These services include mergers and acquisitions, business and debt restructuring, tax and tax disputes, corporate disputes, investments, bankruptcy, litigation and arbitration.
If you have questions, please us right now.
E-mail: vlolawfirm@gmail.com
Germany is part of the European single market which represents more than 450 million consumers.
Of the world's 500 largest stock-market-listed companies measured by revenue , the Fortune Global 500, 29 are headquartered in Germany. 30 major Germany-based companies are included in the DAX, the German stock market index which is operated by Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Well-known international brands include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Siemens, Allianz, Adidas, Porsche, Bosch and Deutsche Telekom. Berlin is a hub for startup companies and has become the leading location for venture capital funded firms in the European Union. Germany is recognised for its large portion of specialised small and medium enterprises, known as the Mittelstand model. These companies represent 48% global market leaders in their segments, labelled hidden champions.
Germany is one of the leading nations for several technologies of the future. These include biotechnology, IT and numerous high-tech divisions in individual sectors, for example aviation, aerospace, electrical engineering and logistics. Companies specialising in environmental technology have emerged and as front runners. IT follows car-making and electronics/electrical engineering as the third largest sector and bio and genetic engineering is second to the United States worldwide.
The German banking system includes retail banks, cooperative banks, public-sector institutions such as the savings banks (Sparkassen) and the regional, state-owned Landesbanken. All of them offer banking services to private persons and businesses. One of the public-sector institutions is the KfW-Mittelstandsbank, which has the statutory duty to assist the formation of new businesses and grant investment loans to small and medium-sized businesses.
The standard rate of VAT in Germany has been 19% since 1 January 2007. A lower rate of 7% is charged for convenience goods and services needed on a day-to-day basis (such as food, newspapers or public transport). Some services (including banking, healthcare and non-profit work) are VAT exempt.
There are no substantial restrictions on foreign investments in Germany. Foreign investors are generally subjected to the same conditions as German investors.
No permanent currency or administrative controls are applicable. However, certain investments may involve official registration and permit regulations, which may entail considerable bureaucracy. For example, special licences are required for risky business practices like insurance, commercial banking, brokers and agents. Special business permits are required because of environmental regulation pursuant to the Federal Pollution Control Act (Bundesimmissionsschutzgesetz). The local administration and tax authorities have regulations which have to be followed when you want to register.
Foreign investors see that Germany is a good location for manufacturing, research and development and establishing companies headquarters. It ranks as one of the world's most attractive investment locations (alongside investment locations like China and the United States).
In particular the services sector makes a strong impression among investors. The sectors of renewable energy, mechanics and electronics, chemicals and health are also seen as ttractive. International investors have realized that Germany is reliable and competitive; this applies to the full range of high technologies and services. Investing companies are mainly from Europe, Asia and North America.
Germany has an ample legislation regarding the protection of intellectual property (IP). The regulations refer to copyright, trademark, design, utility model and patent protection. An intellectual property lawyer from our team can help investors understand the principles of IP protection in this country and can help with IP protection services.
All the laws have been drafted before Germany became an European Union member state but were subsequently modified and amended to be compatible to EU regulations regarding the protection of intellectual property.
The particularity of the German legislation is that the Civil Code also contains provisions about intellectual property protection. German inventors also have the possibility to register for intellectual property protection with the Community Trademarks.
Germany has a civil law system based on Roman law with some references to Germanic law. The Bundesverfassungsgericht (Federal Constitutional Court) is the German Supreme Court responsible for constitutional matters, with power of judicial review. Germany's supreme court system is specialised: for civil and criminal cases, the highest court of appeal is the inquisitorial Federal Court of Justice, and for other affairs the courts are the Federal Labour Court, the Federal Social Court, the Federal Finance Court and the Federal Administrative Court.
Criminal and private laws are codified on the national level in the Strafgesetzbuch and the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch respectively. The German penal system seeks the rehabilitation of the criminal and the protection of the public. Except for petty crimes, which are tried before a single professional judge, and serious political crimes, all charges are tried before mixed tribunals on which lay judges (Schöffen) sit side by side with professional judges.
Our law firm VLO provides legal services for corporate and private clients in Germany. These services include mergers and acquisitions, business and debt restructuring, tax and tax disputes, corporate disputes, investments, bankruptcy, litigation and arbitration.
If you have questions, please us right now.
E-mail: vlolawfirm@gmail.com
Germany