German Chambers of Commerce
- Sandra Visser-Meijer
- Background
- Edited 12 February 2026
- 3 min
- International
The best-known and largest German Chambers of Commerce are the regional Industrie- und Handelskammern (IHKs). But Germany also has other registers, such as the Handwerkskammer (HWK), Handwerksrolle, Gewerberegister, and Handelsregister.
The place where you start a business in Germany determines which registers you must register your business. Your business activities are also important. For some activities, registration with the HWK and the IHK is mandatory. In this article, you can read how to register your business in Germany and which registers you need to register with.
Industrie- und Handelskammer
The regional Industrie- und (IHK, in German) is a point of contact for SMEs in Germany, supporting both startups and experienced entrepreneurs in running their business. For example, about laws and regulations for the environment, taxes, labour, and trade. An IHK also monitors the German economy and competition. And provides advice on financing and subsidies.
Mandatory membership
German companies that are obliged to be IHK members pay an annual (in German). This fee varies among IHKs. Businesses in the craft sector, farmers, and so-called liberal professions such as translators, writers, and journalists do not need to be IHK members, as in these professions you do not sell products.
Establishing a GmbH
GmbH stands for Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (limited liability company). This German legal structure is similar to the Dutch legal structure BV and the English private limited company. When setting up a GmbH, the IHK first approves the company name. A then signs the deed of incorporation. Your GmbH only exists legally once you have registered it in the Handelsregister of the region where your business is located.
Please note: do not perform any official tasks for the GmbH before it has completed the formal registration procedure.
Handelsregister
The German Handelseregister (Business Register) registers newly established businesses and issues an HRB or HRA number. These numbers are similar to the Dutch KVK number.
Division B of the Handelseregister issues the B numbers and registers all companies. Division A of the Handelseregister issues A numbers and administers all other forms of business such as sole proprietorships and partnerships.
The Ministry of Justice of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia manages the central . This makes it easy to find everything.
Gewerberegister
Gewerbe is the German word for business. Immediately after setting up your business, you register your company in the Gewerberegister of the municipality where your business is located. This is a municipal business register and is different from the business register mentioned above. After you register, the Gewerbeamt will automatically forward your information to the regional Finanzamt (tax office) for your tax obligations.
Gewerbesteuer
Before your registration, you must pay Gewerbesteuer. This is a local business tax for natural persons and legal entities with a business. The municipality determines the rate. The amount often depends on your company's profits.
Handwerkskammer
The Handwerkskammer () or Chamber of Crafts administers the German Craft Register. If you perform so-called craft activities in Germany, you must sign up to or register in the register of craft businesses. This applies, for example, to tilers, hairdressers, and bakers.
HWK members have to pay a mandatory membership fee.
Which register applies in which case?
The register in which you register your business depends on your activities. The HWK is for crafts. The IHK is for trade and industry.
Liberal professions are not registered with the HWK or IHK. These professions register with their own professional registers, such as the Rechtsanwaltskammer (Bar Association) or Architektenkammer (Chamber of Architects). Examples of liberal professions include doctors, solicitors, artists, and architects.
Below is an overview of the registers of the German Chambers of Commerce.
| German Register | For whom | Membership required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK) | Trading and industrial companies | Yes | Annual fee. The regional chamber determines the amount. |
| Handelsregister / Amtsgericht | All companies, sole proprietorships, and partnerships | Yes | Issues HRB and HRA numbers. Comparable to a Dutch KVK number. |
| Gewerberegister | All businesses in Germany | Yes | Registration with the municipality. Businesses pay Gewerbesteuer (trade tax). Data is forwarded to the Finanzamt (tax office). |
| Handwerkskammer (HWK) | Craft enterprises (e.g. hairdressers, bakers, tilers) | Yes | Annual contribution. |
| Liberal Professions (Freie Berufe) | Liberal professions (e.g. doctors, lawyers, artists, architects) | Yes | Register with their own professional chamber, such as Architektenkammer or Rechtsanwaltskammer. |
Proof of registration
In Germany, the equivalent of a KVK extract is called an Auszug or Mitgliederbescheinigung. You apply for this certificate of registration at your business’s regional IHK, Handwerkskammer, or Gewerberegister. You can access German registers via European Registers. You can use the same website to check whether a German company is officially registered.