Service for international companies and start-ups

Cologne offers central points of contact for international companies and start-ups looking to establish themselves here. Our goal is to promote Cologne as an attractive business location and support international companies in achieving success here.

How we support international companies and start-ups

$Free advice and support before, during and after relocation
$Support with administrative and legal matters, such as work and residence permits.
$Information on renting, leasing, buying or selling commercial real estate in Cologne as well as contact to real estate agencies and brokers
$Contact HealthTech start-ups and companies in the Cologne region.
https://koeln.business/immobilien/gewerbeimmobilien-gewerbeflaechen
$Integration into local business networks
https://koeln.business/immobilien/gewerbeimmobilien-gewerbeflaechen
$Tips and advice on expat life in Cologne
https://koeln.business/immobilien/gewerbeimmobilien-gewerbeflaechen

KölnBusiness | International Desk

Services for international companies and start-ups: The multilingual International Desk is the central point of contact for companies and start-ups from abroad looking to set up in Cologne. Our goal is to generate interest in Cologne as a business location and support companies in achieving success here.

KölnBusiness | International Desk

Useful links to our support for international start-ups and companies

Registering a company

If you want to set up a company in Germany, there are different forms you can choose from. The two most popular are the subsidiary and the branch office. The main difference is that setting up a subsidiary requires the creation of a new legal entity, whereas this is not the case with a branch office.

You can find all the important information about setting up a company via the links below:

KölnBusiness: Legal matters | KölnBusiness

IHK Köln: Legal questions and taxes – IHK Köln

Visas and residence permits

If you are not a citizen of a European Union country, you will usually require a visa to enter Germany. The process for applying for a visa depends on the type of company you wish to register or set up. You can find more information on visas and residence permits here:

KölnBusiness: Visas and permits

Federal Foreign Office: Visa Navigator | Consular Services Portal

Make it in Germany: Visa for self-employed business

Find the right location

We support you in your search for the right location by providing free, personalised advice. Whether you are looking for laboratory space, commercial real estate, co-working spaces or offices, we can help.

KölnBusiness | Coworking Spaces in Cologne

RTZ Inkubator | Labspace, Coworking, Offices for HealthTech Startups

BioCampus Cologne | Labor-, Produktions- und Büroflächen für Life Science Unternehmen

KölnBusiness | Immobilienportal: Immobilien anbieten und finden in Köln

KölnBusiness | Bauprojekte: Real estate projects

Welcome & soft landing promotion

KölnBusiness – Soft Landing Programme
KölnBusiness has set up the Soft Landing Programme to provide international start-ups and companies with financial support and individual advice when setting up in Cologne. Funding is available to cover commercial rents, consultancy fees, materials and personnel costs. A maximum of €3,000 is awarded per successful start-up or company.

KölnBusiness: Soft Landing

Startup Hub.NRW – Startup Welcome Package
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) supports international tech start-ups that want to expand to Germany by offering them a “Startup Welcome Package”. This funding instrument provides a grant of €10,000 and aims to facilitate a smooth entry into the German market.

NRW.Global Business: Startup Welcome Package

Business Directory Cologne

Finding the right partners is crucial when setting up a company, particularly in the initial stages. Our Business Directory Cologne will help you find the right partners to support the start-up, growth and further development of your company in Cologne.

KölnBusiness: Business Directory