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Company number and declaration regarding the employment relationship
Applying for a company registration number: Guide for employers
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The definition and legal significance of the company registration number for German companies.
Why the identification number is mandatory for the employment relationship declaration.
The chronological process from accident insurance to the online application.
How we, as a law firm, handle the application process for international companies.
1. What is the company number?
2. What is the company registration number needed for?
3. How do you obtain the company number?
4. Apply for a company number
5. FAQ Company number
6. Conclusion Company number
1. What is the company number?
The company number, often abbreviated as B-Nr. in professional circles, is a unique, eight-digit identification number assigned by the Federal Employment Agency . Its primary function is to uniquely identify an employer within Germany and it is the key identifier for communication with social security institutions. Without this number, a company remains virtually invisible to the authorities in the context of payroll processing, as all notifications for health, pension, and unemployment insurance are managed through it.
The allocation of the company registration number is legally enshrined in Section 18i of the German Social Code, Book IV (SGB IV) , which obligates employers to use it for social security reporting. For many HR managers, it's routine, but the question of this identification number often causes uncertainty, especially for new businesses or foreign companies entering the market. It serves as the administrative foundation upon which all bureaucratic processes related to an employment relationship in Germany are based.
2. What is the company registration number needed for?
In visa law, the company registration number plays a crucial role when it comes to the declaration of employment . This form is the core of almost every work visa application, as the Federal Employment Agency uses it to verify whether the employment conditions comply with legal requirements. Since the company registration number is mandatory in this document, the entire visa process stalls if the company does not yet have this identification number.
Furthermore, this number is technically necessary to correctly allocate monthly contribution statements and payroll once the international employee begins work. According to Section 28a of the German Social Code, Book IV (SGB IV) , the employer is obligated to register every participant in the labor market, providing this number. Thus, the company registration number bridges the gap between the purely immigration-related permit and the actual integration into the German social security system, making it a fundamental prerequisite for legally compliant employment.
3. How do you obtain the company number?
Obtaining a company registration number is possible via the Federal Employment Agency's company registration number service , but is subject to one essential prerequisite. Before the actual application can be submitted, the company must register with the relevant statutory accident insurance institution (Berufsgenossenschaft) . Only once the membership number there is available are the requirements for issuing the company registration number met, as this data is inextricably linked for statistical recording and contribution payments in accordance with the German Social Code, Book VII (SGB VII).
The data requirements are otherwise deliberately kept to a minimum to minimize the bureaucratic burden for employers . Besides the company address and industry sector, the contact details of the responsible individuals within the company are particularly relevant. Once registration with the accident insurance provider is complete, the subsequent process is very efficient, provided the logical sequence of communication with the authorities is followed and no incorrect information is provided regarding the economic classification .
4. Apply for a company number
Applications are now submitted exclusively electronically via the Federal Employment Agency's online portal. A major advantage of this digital process is its speed , as the number typically does not need to be verified or manually assigned through a lengthy procedure. Instead, the identification number is often available immediately after completing the online form and can be directly incorporated into the visa application documents.
As a law firm, we particularly support US companies and other international investors in ensuring this step is legally compliant. Since the process can be carried out by power of attorney , we handle all communication with the company registration number service to guarantee a smooth company registration . This is especially valuable when foreign HR departments are unfamiliar with the intricacies of German social security law and require a quick issuance of the number for their employees' visa applications .
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5. FAQ Company number
How much does it cost to apply for a business registration number?
The allocation of the company number by the company number service of the Federal Employment Agency is generally free of charge for employers.
Is it possible to hire employees without a company registration number?
No, registration for social security and the preparation of the employment declaration for a visa are not possible without a valid company number.
How long does the allocation process take using the online procedure?
If all data is entered correctly, the number is usually generated and displayed immediately after submitting the online application.
What happens when the company address changes?
Changes to company data must be communicated to the company number service immediately so that the master data for social security remains up to date.
6. Conclusion Company number
The company registration number is far more than just a statistical figure; it's the foundation for every legal employment and every visa application in Germany. Even though the application process is relatively straightforward, the coordination between the statutory accident insurance and the Federal Employment Agency requires careful planning. We ensure that your company is legally compliant from day one, so that hiring your foreign skilled workers doesn't fail due to formal details.
List of Sources (Paywall)
[1] Timmermann/Uznanski/Mävers/Klaus, Employment of foreign workers, 2nd edition 2026
[2] Offer/Mävers, Employment Ordinance, 2nd edition 2022
[3] Section 18i SGB IV: Legal basis for the allocation and use of the company number.
[4] Section 28a SGB IV: Employer's reporting obligations to social security.
[5] Employment Ordinance (BeschV): Regulations on the approval of the employment agency.