German GmbH and UG share capital: minimum payment in
Two requirements apply SIDE BY SIDE: the quarter per share and half the minimum share capital. At EUR 25,000 the second decides (EUR 12,500), from EUR 50,000 the first — knowing only one gets it wrong half the time.
2026 rules — verified on September 22, 2026Free, no account
This content is part of the path: Setting up and registering a business· Step 5 of 10· Next step: German commercial register fees — HRegGebV fee schedule
Your result
Fill in the fields, then run the calculation: the full breakdown appears here, free of charge.
Sources and assumptions
- gesetze-im-internet.de — GmbHG § 5 Abs. 1 — tax year 2026, verified on September 22, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « Das Stammkapital der Gesellschaft muß mindestens fünfundzwanzigtausend Euro betragen. »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — GmbHG § 7 Abs. 2 Satz 1 — tax year 2026, verified on September 22, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « Die Anmeldung darf erst erfolgen, wenn auf jeden Geschäftsanteil, soweit nicht Sacheinlagen vereinbart sind, ein Viertel des Nennbetrags eingezahlt ist. »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — GmbHG § 7 Abs. 2 Satz 2 — tax year 2026, verified on September 22, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « Insgesamt muß auf das Stammkapital mindestens soviel eingezahlt sein, daß der Gesamtbetrag der eingezahlten Geldeinlagen zuzüglich des Gesamtnennbetrags der Geschäftsanteile, für die Sacheinlagen zu leisten sind, die Hälfte des Mindeststammkapitals gemäß § 5 Abs. 1 erreicht. »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — GmbHG § 5a Abs. 3 Satz 1 — tax year 2026, verified on September 22, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « In der Bilanz des nach den §§ 242, 264 des Handelsgesetzbuchs aufzustellenden Jahresabschlusses ist eine gesetzliche Rücklage zu bilden, in die ein Viertel des um einen Verlustvortrag aus dem Vorjahr geminderten Jahresüberschusses einzustellen ist. »
Calculation assumptions
- The quarter is computed on the total cash contributions. Section 7(2) applies it to EACH share; with uneven shares the total can be higher than shown here.
- Formation, notary and registry fees are not included. They reduce the capital paid in where the articles charge them to the company.
- Contributions in kind are assumed to be worth their stated value. The registry court reviews this and may refuse registration if they are materially overvalued.
Go further
Understand this calculation: the related course
File it
The official form or forms to complete once you know the amount, explained field by field.
Related calculators
Neighbouring calculations: the other side of the same decision, or the step that follows.
- German corporation tax — rate by assessment period
- Size class of a German corporation — and the audit requirement
- German start-up grant (Gründungszuschuss) — how much can you get?
- German commercial register fees — HRegGebV fee schedule
- German insolvency filing deadline: three or six weeks
- German UG statutory reserve: how much to set aside
This result is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute personalised tax advice. Check your situation with the tax authorities or a professional.