A German company can usually have its Indian subsidiary incorporated, with PAN and TAN, within 4 to 6 weeks of the German documents being notarised, apostilled and translated, and the bank account, share issue and FC-GPR follow over the next few weeks. In Germany the critical path is the chain of commercial register extract, notary, Landgericht apostille and sworn translation, which runs slower in August and over Christmas, and on public holidays that differ between federal states. India is 4.5 hours ahead in winter and 3.5 hours in summer, so most of the German working day overlaps India's.
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Key facts
| Incorporation | Usually 4 to 6 weeks from apostilled and translated documents |
|---|---|
| Bank account and capital | About 1 to 2 weeks after incorporation |
| FC-GPR | Within 30 days of allotting shares to the German parent |
| German critical path | Register extract, notary, Landgericht apostille, sworn translation |
| Time difference | India is 4.5 hours ahead of CET and 3.5 hours ahead of CEST |
| Typical German year end | 31 December, against India's 31 March |
| Slow periods | August holidays, Christmas to New Year, state public holidays |
A week-by-week plan
| Weeks | Germany | India |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Resolution approving the subsidiary; order the certified register extract; collect directors' passports | FDI check, document drafting, name search |
| 1 to 3 | Notary appointment; apostilles from the Landgericht; sworn translations | Directors' digital signatures; name approval |
| 3 | Courier the originals and translations to India | Final review of the document set |
| 3 to 5 | Digital signing of the forms | SPICe+ filed; incorporation with PAN and TAN |
| 5 to 7 | Euro capital remitted; AWV payment report | Bank account, capital received, shares allotted |
| Within 30 days of allotment | Share certificates to the parent | FC-GPR filed |
The German document chain, in order
- Commercial register extract: a current certified extract (Handelsregisterauszug) from the register court or the online register.
- Resolution: the shareholders' or management board's approval of the investment and the Indian directors, ideally drafted in English.
- Notary: the Notar certifies signatures and copies of the extract, the articles and the directors' identity documents.
- Apostille: the president of the Landgericht in the notary's district issues the apostille on each notarised document. Processing times vary by court.
- Sworn translation: any German-language document is translated into English by a sworn or authorised translator. Agree with us whether the translation is made before or after the apostille, so the bank accepts it.
- Courier: the originals travel to India by express courier.
See documents, Handelsregister and apostille for the document detail.
Work done in India in parallel
While Germany authenticates the documents, we draft the MoA and AoA, obtain digital signatures by video verification, reserve the company name, and prepare the registered office and bank paperwork. SPICe+ is filed as soon as the originals arrive, so the German chain, not the Indian filing, sets the pace.
Time difference and meeting times
- India is 4.5 hours ahead of Central European Time and 3.5 hours ahead in summer.
- A German morning call at 9:00 is early afternoon in India, which suits signing sessions and bank KYC calls.
- European clock changes in March and October shift the overlap by an hour; Indian time does not change.
German seasons and holidays
| Period | Effect on the timetable |
|---|---|
| August | Many decision-makers, notaries and translators are on holiday; allow extra time |
| Christmas to New Year | Courts and notaries work reduced hours; complete the German steps by mid-December |
| State public holidays | Public holidays differ between federal states, so a court or notary in Bavaria may be closed when one in Hamburg is open |
| Diwali (October or November) | Indian banks and offices close for several days in many states |
| Year ends | A German parent on a 31 December year end often wants the investment made before then; the Indian subsidiary's first year runs to 31 March, and can be longer if it is incorporated between January and March |
After incorporation
The certificate of incorporation starts several Indian deadlines: shares must be allotted within 60 days of receiving the capital, FC-GPR follows within 30 days of allotment, the first auditor is appointed within 30 days of incorporation, and the commencement of business declaration is due within 180 days. On the German side, file the AWV payment report for the capital and add the holding to the next annual direct investment report if the thresholds are met.
If you need it sooner
- Book the notary and translator in week 1, before the documents are final.
- Use English or bilingual resolutions to remove translation from the critical path.
- Ask the notary to handle the apostille request with the court where they offer it.
- Arrange a resident director early so the board is complete at filing.
- Have the euro remittance approved internally before the bank account opens.
How AU Corporate handles this
AU Corporate builds the timetable around your German approvals and holidays, prepares the Indian filings in parallel with the German document chain, and handles incorporation, banking, the share issue and FC-GPR, with reminders for the German AWV reports.
Related services: India subsidiary registration and FEMA and RBI compliance.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a German company need to set up an Indian subsidiary?
Usually 4 to 6 weeks from apostilled and translated documents to incorporation, then 1 to 2 weeks for the bank and capital, and FC-GPR within 30 days of allotting shares.
What slows down the German side?
The chain of register extract, notary, Landgericht apostille and sworn translation, especially in August and over Christmas.
Do German public holidays affect the timeline?
Yes. They differ between federal states, so check the holidays where your notary and court are.
What is the time difference between Germany and India?
India is 4.5 hours ahead of Central European Time and 3.5 hours ahead in summer.
When is the AWV report due for the capital?
German residents report payments to non-residents above EUR 12,500 to the Bundesbank shortly after the month of payment.
Can we incorporate before our 31 December year end?
Usually yes if the German documents are ready by early November; plan around Christmas closures.
Related guides
Cost from Germany
The all-inclusive fee and German costs.
Read the guide →Incorporation Steps
The Indian process step by step.
Read the guide →Documents and Apostille
Handelsregister, notary and court apostille.
Read the guide →Compliance Calendar
Indian deadlines for a German-owned company.
Read the guide →Sources
Last updated 3 November 2026. General information only, not legal or tax advice. Indian rules change often; confirm current requirements before acting.