News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Founding a company in Germany: €9600, 152 days and I still can't send an invoice. Parent comment

Re:Founding a company in Germany: €9600, 152 days and I stil... by t0mas88 on Wednesday June 24, 2026 @02:57PM (#48664239)
That's the American viewpoint, right of the strongest, sue if they wronged you. European systems typically have a different philosophy where the counterparties are more protected.

It's expressed in stronger consumer protection laws, but also these German things where you can't start a GmbH/LLC with zero capital and wish the counterparties good luck suing you if you never pay them.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Founding a company in Germany: €9600, 152 days and I stil... by nradov on Wednesday June 24, 2026 @03:25PM (#48664573)
You're missing the point. Strong or weak has nothing to do with it. If you want to be protected then don't do business with undercapitalized counterparties. Everyone can make their own decision on acceptable level of financial risk. It's stupid for governments to dictate this.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Founding a company in Germany: €9600, 152 days and I stil... by margalabargala on Wednesday June 24, 2026 @04:07PM (#48664986)
How do you know if your counterpart is undercapitalized, though?
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Founding a company in Germany: €9600, 152 days and I stil... by nradov on Wednesday June 24, 2026 @08:12PM (#48667140)
You're welcome to ask them for whatever evidence you like before agreeing to do business.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Founding a company in Germany: €9600, 152 days and I stil... by tpm on Thursday June 25, 2026 @04:54AM (#48670804)
Look up the business registry, debt registry etc., it should be all there, at least it is in our country.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Founding a company in Germany: €9600, 152 days and I stil... by FLHerne on Wednesday June 24, 2026 @05:34PM (#48665891)
So the OP can create a UG with €1 capitalization.

They can be cheerfully undercapitalized and counterparties, seeing that it's an undercapitalized UG rather than a GmbH, can make their own decision on financial risk.

> And the cheap door has a price of its own: to some clients, “UG” reads as “not serious,” and they would rather deal with a GmbH.

...turns out the OP doesn't like that.

[ Parent | on HN ]