
HOW TO EXPÄND INTO THE LÄND:
Investment manual for Baden-Württemberg
Our detailed guide
We will assist you on every step of your journey to locating successfully to Baden-Württemberg. The following investment manual provides an initial overview of the main steps and information on founding a company and corporate taxes as well as on labor law regulations in Germany and funding opportunities in Baden-Württemberg.
How to navigate your way through the location process
01
Get in touch with us
Whether you need tailored information, assistance in finding a location or help to establish business relationships in THE LÄND, Baden-Württemberg International is the one-stop agency for support and advice for your expansion project into Baden-Württemberg.
02
Project description
Together we will clarify what your requirements are and create a short profile for your project. In this way, we can offer you the services you require tailored to your specific needs.
03
Choose a location in THE LÄND
With the location database, you have a tool to search for locations customized to your needs. We will be happy to help you source a location and will liaise with the municipal authorities and view the locations on the ground.
04
Choose the legal form that works for you
When you set up a company in Germany, you can choose from a range of different legal forms. These differ in terms of liability, formalities for founding as well as taxation. You can find an overview and further links to the various legal forms and your taxation here.
05
Opening a German bank account and preparing the documents for setting up a company
We will be happy to put you in touch with suitable lawyers, tax advisors, notaries and other experts.
06
Registering your company in the commercial register
In Germany, all of the basic details about a company are filed in the commercial register in order to create entrepreneurial legal certainty and transparency.
07
Applying for a residence permit
A visa is often necessary for non-EU citizens spending a longer period in Germany. You can find an overview and further links relating to entry to and residency in Germany here.
08
Commencing business activity
Once your company has been entered in the commercial register, you can commence business activity and start enjoying your entrepreneurial success in Baden-Württemberg. We will also be happy to help you recruit staff and network with collaboration partners.

All important information about locating here
You can find further information and helpful links to core topics related to your expansion project into Baden-Württemberg below.
Citizens of EU member states and of the European Economic Area as well as of Switzerland generally do not need a visa or a residence or work permit to enter Germany and work here.
Citizens of all other countries (‘third countries’) generally need a visa to enter Germany. Exceptions apply to countries for which the European Union has lifted the visa requirement for short stays of up to 90 days. You can find a list of the countries this exemption applies to here.
In order to start work in Germany, citizens of third countries must have a residence permit that explicitly allows them to work here. Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the UK and the USA can enter Germany without a visa and apply to the local immigration office responsible for the required residence permit after entry. An overview of the various residence permits is available from the Federal Employment Agency and the German government’s portal for foreign skilled workers. We at BW_i will also be happy to advise you on the regulations and on recruiting foreign workers in Germany.
More information:
When expanding into Baden-Württemberg, foreign investors can choose between a permanent establishment (dependent office), a branch (independent office) and a subsidiary, which is its own legal entity. Most foreign investors choose to set up a subsidiary, for which they can choose between all existing German corporate forms. Under German law, there are two types of legal form for companies, each with several sub-types and specific advantages. These are the corporation and the partnership, and there are also differences in taxation between the two types.
Our experts at BW_i will be happy to advise you on all of your questions around setting up a company in Germany. We will guide you through the founding process and help you choose the right legal form to set up your company simply and efficiently in Germany.
More information:
Baden-Württemberg offers various different funding opportunities for international investment projects. These include guarantee schemes and equity investments for small and medium-sized companies, supports for new start-ups, labor market support and employee training as well as support for research, development and innovation projects.
Additionally, investors can benefit from German and EU funding programs. Once foreign investors have set up a company, the same rules apply to them as to German investors.
We will ensure your expansion into Baden-Württemberg is as smooth as possible. Get in touch with us – our experts from BW_i will be happy to support you in identifying tailored funding opportunities.
Baden-Württemberg is known for a highly qualified and diverse labor market which is geared to innovation. THE LÄND places a strong emphasis on training and qualifying its citizens and employees, which is not only a guarantee of lasting economic success but also a key reason why many international companies settle here.
The Federal Employment Agency has branches all over Baden-Württemberg and offers free, company-related services that include finding and recruiting staff, training supports and assistance in further training and retraining for existing skilled staff. Additionally, Baden-Württemberg is the only German state to have a dense network of Welcome Centers, whose job it is to help international staff and students on their arrival in Baden-Württemberg and make it easier for them to integrate into society.
Our experts from BW_i will be happy to advise you on all matters relating to the labor market in Baden-Württemberg, on various contractual models and labor law regulations for your company.

Contact persons
A strong team for your success
We are your point of contact for successful investment and for all your questions about locating to Baden-Württemberg. Our team of experienced experts will accompany you with individual and comprehensive advice, from the initial idea to the implementation of your investment project.
Get in touch with us today – and we’ll get back to you within 48 hours.