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German VAT Registration: Documents Checklist by Country

Pick your country of company seat for the typical set of documents the German Finanzamt needs, when an apostille or a sworn translation could be asked for, and which tax office you'll be assigned to.

Reviewed June 2026 by Michael Stiller, Steuerberater

Your company-existence document

Your document checklist

    This is the typical set. The Finanzamt confirms the exact requirement case by case, and we confirm it with you during onboarding so you never over-apostille or pay for certifications you do not need.

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    The universal items every country needs

    Whatever your country of origin, three items are constant, and a fourth applies the moment your inventory sits in Germany:

    What an apostille is, in plain English

    An apostille is a single standardised certificate under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention that verifies the signature or seal on a public document so other member countries accept it without further checks. It replaces the older, slower consular legalisation. You need it only if the Finanzamt explicitly asks for it, usually on the document that proves your company exists. A passport copy and the power of attorney are usually not apostilled, and EU-issued documents usually need no apostille at all. Since 7 November 2023, China is a member, so if the Finanzamt asks for an apostille on Chinese company documents, a simple apostille replaces consular legalisation.

    For the full written guide, see documents for German VAT registration, by country.

    Frequently asked questions

    What documents does a UK company need?

    Certificate of Incorporation and Articles of Association (apostilled where requested), a passport copy of the director, and a signed power of attorney. Since Brexit your GB EORI is not valid in the EU. Usually you need no EU EORI of your own: your forwarder declares the import in its own name. German customs issues an EORI to a company from outside the EU only if it has its own staff and premises in Germany; if that is you, we apply for it as a 199 euro add-on.

    What documents does a US company need?

    Your LLC formation document (Articles of Organization, or Articles of Incorporation for a corporation), your IRS EIN confirmation letter, a passport copy of the representative, and a signed power of attorney. An apostille is needed only if the Finanzamt explicitly asks for one; scans and a plain translation are normally enough.

    What documents does a Chinese company need?

    Your commercial register extract (business licence) and articles of association, (scans are normally enough; an apostille is needed only if the Finanzamt asks, and since China joined the Convention on 7 November 2023 that is a simple apostille), plus a passport copy of the legal representative and a signed power of attorney. A plain translation is normally enough.

    Do the documents need to be apostilled?

    Normally no. An apostille is needed only if the Finanzamt explicitly asks for one, usually on the company-existence document; not for the passport or power of attorney, and usually not at all for EU-issued documents. We cannot promise the Finanzamt will never ask. We tell you if it does.

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    Check what you need

    We gather the list with you, then file it

    German VAT registration prepared and submitted by a licensed German tax advisor. €1,299/year all-in with registration included, or €99/month if you already have a German VAT number.

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    Read next: German VAT registration for foreign companies, the complete guide: who must register, which Finanzamt, documents, timeline, and what follows.