Easily deposit share capital online

Accelerate your company formation by depositing your GmbH/UG share capital online – free of charge, via instant bank transfer, with no bank appointment required.

Open founder’s account

Formation checklist

Fast share capital deposit with Holvi

Open your founder’s account online – no bank appointment required
Get your IBAN and deposit your share capital free of charge
Download your bank statement online
Ready for the commercial register entry within a few days

More about founder’s account

“As a founder with a holding, I needed a business account that actually works the way I do. Holvi was the obvious choice: fast to set up, free business account, fully digital, and built for founders. Connecting it to Fideus for automated bookkeeping and annual statements was the final piece. No more chasing my tax advisor. No more year-end chaos. It just runs.”

Kai Klapal, Founder of Fideus GmbH, Tax advisory for Holdings

What is share capital?

The share capital of a GmbH or UG serves as security for creditors. The exact amount of share capital is defined in the articles of association.

By law, the minimum share capital for a GmbH is €25,000. Forming a company with less share capital is only possible as a UG.

A UG can be founded with as little as €1, but it must retain 25% of its annual profits until the €25,000 threshold is reached.

Before a GmbH or UG can be entered into the commercial register, proof of a fraction of the share capital must be provided.

How much share capital do I need to deposit?

For a GmbH: You only need half of the minimum capital (€12,500) to start. The rest can be paid later.

Note: Non-cash assets (like equipment) must be brought in fully. Until the remaining €12,500 is paid, shareholders are personally liable for the missing amount.

For a UG: Unlike a GmbH, a UG requires the share capital to be paid in full and entirely in cash on day one.

Cash formation or formation in kind?

In a cash formation, the share capital required for formation is paid in cash into an account. To do this, a business account must first be opened for the GmbH or UG. Usually, the contributions are paid via bank transfer. You use a bank statement to prove to the notary that the share capital has been paid. This clears the way for the GmbH or UG to be entered into the commercial register.

Advantages of cash formation:

Simplified formation with standard legal template possible
Online formation possible
Cost- and time-saving

Disadvantages of cash formation:

The share capital must be available in cash

Instead of a cash contribution, the share capital of a GmbH can also be provided fully or partially as a contribution in kind. This is not possible for a UG. Contributions in kind are, for example:

Real estate
Goods & inventory
Machinery
Accounts receivable
Patents & licenses

Formation in kind is usually chosen when not enough capital is available in cash, but it involves more effort and costs. Contributions in kind must be listed in a separate, written asset valuation report signed by the shareholders. The value of the contributions in kind must be proven, for example by means of invoices, purchase contracts or expert appraisals. If your notary prepares the asset valuation report or advises you on it, you must expect additional costs.

Advantage of formation in kind:

Share capital does not need to be available in cash

Disadvantages of formation in kind:

Simplified template cannot be used – increased effort due to custom articles of association
Additional effort and costs for the asset valuation report
Private liability risk if the value of the items was stated incorrectly

What to keep in mind when depositing your share capital?

The bank transfer must be clearly identifiable as a share capital deposit. The payment reference should therefore read: Share Capital + First Name + Last Name.

How to open a founder’s account