Information from the Central Trade Register

Contrary to what the name suggests, the central business register is not a register covering all natural or legal persons operating in the Federal Republic of Germany. Rather, the content of the central business register results from § 149 Abs. 2 of the Gewerbeordnung (GewO). Thereafter, four categories of entries must be distinguished, namely:

• Administrative decisions (commercial bans, withdrawal of permits, concessions, etc.)
• Waiver of admission to a trade or other economic enterprise during a withdrawal or revocation procedure
• Decisions imposing fines for administrative offences committed in or in connection with the conduct of business
• certain criminal convictions for offences committed in or in connection with the conduct of business

The central business register is divided into natural and legal persons. Administrative decisions, waivers and decisions imposing fines may concern both natural and legal persons, while criminal convictions are directed only at natural persons.

In the online portal of the Federal Office of Justice, you can apply online for information from the central business register with your electronic identity card or, if necessary, with your electronic residence permit.