[nik736]

I don't think this is legal. If you are based in Germany and incorporate in a different country you have to tell the german authorities.

For example if you found a Limited in the UK, you have to tell the German authorities and the Limited will be seen as a German GmbH. It will be more expensive in the end because, for example, everything has to be translated and signed by a notary.

[wprapido]

You and your company are separate entities. Many Germans incorporate abroad and it seems to work.

What you have to report to the authorities is your personal income drawn from foreign companies you own or work for.

[nik736]

No, that's simply false information.

[throwawayheyhey]

No, you're the one peddling misinformation here. It's true that you have to tell German authorities about your foreign business (not just your income from that business) for tax purposes if you're actually operating your business from within Germany (i.e. you're running a "Gewerbe"). There are also some rules to follow you're merely conducting business with German customers, i.e. how to collect VAT etc.

In any case, however, you certainly don't have to "convert" your business into a GmbH.

[nik736]

I havn't said that you need to convert your business into a GmbH. What I said (or at least meant) was that if you found a Limited while living in Germany, it will be seen and handled similar to a GmbH by the authorities here in Germany.