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HIBS Germany is the international business division of hannoverimpuls GmbH—the official economic development agency of the Hannover region, and has been established in 2007. For nearly two decades, we have been the first point of contact for international companies seeking to enter the German and European markets.
We are not a private consultancy. We are a publicly backed agency with direct access to local government, business networks, industry clusters, and regulatory bodies across Hannover and Lower Saxony. This gives our clients a level of market access that independent advisors cannot match.
Our team supports companies across every stage of the expansion journey—from initial market feasibility to company registration, commercial real estate, networking opportunities, and integration into the Hannover ecosystem.Since 2007, we have guided companies from over 20 countries through the process of establishing a credible, compliant, and competitive presence in Germany.
Setting up a legal entity in Germany involves notarisation, commercial register filing, tax registration, and compliance with German corporate law. We guide you through choosing the right structure — GmbH, UG, or branch office — and manage the process from start to finish. Most registrations are completed within 3 to 6 weeks with the right preparation.
Before committing to a full market entry, understanding local demand, competitor positioning, and regulatory requirements is essential. Our team provides structured market feasibility assessments, sector-specific analysis, and regional opportunity mapping across the Hannover region and wider Germany.
One of the most significant barriers for international companies entering Germany is the lack of a local network. As part of hannoverimpuls GmbH, HIBS has direct relationships with industry associations, trade bodies, regional chambers of commerce, and key businesses across every major sector in Hannover. Being part of our ecosystem opens doors that would otherwise take years to access.
When international companies enter Germany, most default to Berlin or Munich. Hannover offers a compelling alternative—and in many sectors, a superior one.
Hannover is Germany's central logistics hub, with direct motorway connections to every major German city and one of Europe's most important freight airports. Hannover connects businesses to over 130 million people within a 500 km radius—representing nearly 30% of the European Union's population, making it the ideal base for manufacturing, supply chain, and distribution operations.
The Hannover region is home to more than 50,000 businesses, a highly skilled population of over 1.1 million people, and a cluster of world-class research institutions including Leibniz University Hannover and the Hannover Medical School. For technology, engineering, healthcare, and production companies, the talent pipeline here is exceptional.
Commercial real estate costs in Hannover are significantly lower than in Berlin or Munich, reducing setup costs for international companies at exactly the stage where capital efficiency matters most.
And every year, Hannover Messe brings the world's most influential industrial decision-makers to the city — giving HIBS clients direct access to a global business audience on their doorstep.
The Hannover region has strong, established clusters across six key industries. International companies entering Germany in any of these sectors will find an ecosystem of suppliers, research partners, skilled workers, and clients already in place.
HIBS Germany is part of hannoverimpuls GmbH — the joint economic development agency of the City of Hannover and the Hannover Region. We are publicly backed, independently operated, and committed to supporting sustainable international investment in the region.
We have supported companies from India, China, Turkey, the USA, Vietnam, Brazil, the Middle East, Central Asia, and across Europe in establishing operations in Germany. Our clients span manufacturing, automotive, IT, logistics, healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Our advisors are multilingual, locally embedded, and available to support your team at every stage — from the first exploratory conversation to starting your German operations.
Q1: How can a foreign company register a business in Germany?
Q2: What is the minimum capital needed to set up a GmbH in Germany?
Q3: How long does it take to set up a company in Germany?
Q4: Do I need a physical office address to register a company in Germany?
Q5: Which industries in Hannover offer the best opportunities for foreign companies?
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