Check whether a company is active

    Check if a Germany company is active

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Company Records in Germany

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    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: Handelsregister

    How do I check whether a company is still active in Germany?

    Identify the exact company in Handelsregister, then record its status, source and retrieval date. Active registration does not prove current trading or financial health. Liquidation is not the same as dissolution; interpret each status using the official register's terminology.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Find the company

      Search by name or registration number to open the correct record.

    2. 2

      Read the status field

      Preserve the exact status wording and its effective date where supplied. Consult the official explanation; a non-active label is not by itself a fraud verdict or a complete legal opinion.

    3. 3

      Check the available filing dates

      Distinguish the document date, status effective date and retrieval date. Filing schedules vary by entity and jurisdiction, so a gap is a question to investigate rather than proof of non-compliance.

    4. 4

      Confirm at the source

      Status changes propagate from Handelsregister at https://www.handelsregister.de. For a decision with money attached, confirm there.

      https://www.handelsregister.de
    Open HandelsregisterAll Germany records

    Germany: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Use the Handelsregister for the registered legal entity and its filings. Match the register category, register number and responsible court; a company-name search by itself can return branches and similarly named entities.
    Confirm the entity
    Keep the court alongside an HRB or HRA number. Read the German legal form and representation provisions on the record rather than translating every representative into a director or owner.

    Official register-information access guidance

    Check current access and document options on the official Handelsregister site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the Germany registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    How do I know if a Germany company is still trading?

    The register's status field is the authoritative answer. An active/registered status on Handelsregister means the entity is currently on the register. It does not by itself prove the business is operating, so also check the most recent filing date.

    What does "dissolved" or "struck off" mean?

    These labels generally indicate a registration has ended or been removed. Check the source's explanation and any subsequent reinstatement or successor filings. Contract validity and legal consequences require separate advice; they cannot be decided from this field alone.

    Is checking company status in Germany free?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free. Check Handelsregister's current access terms for status information or official documents; fees and account requirements vary.

    How do I search the German company register?

    The Handelsregister is searchable online at handelsregister.de. You can search by company name, registration number, or registered location. Basic searches are free, but accessing full documents may require a fee.

    People also ask about check whether a company is still active in Germany

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the Germany company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the Handelsregister are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official Germany business registry?

    The Handelsregister is the official public register of companies incorporated in Germany. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://www.handelsregister.de.

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