Procedure descriptions

Re-register a business

If you wish to relocate your business’s registered office within the jurisdiction of the local authority that has previously been responsible for it, you must re-register your business. The same applies if you change the location of a branch or a dependent branch office.

If you change the nature of your business activities, you must also re-register your business. This is the case, for example, if you intend to offer goods or services in your business in future—either exclusively or in addition to your existing range—that are not customary for your registered business; for example: a new range of goods that is not customary for the registered business; a change of sector; or an expansion from retail to wholesale.

Furthermore, you must re-register your business if your name as a trader or the name of the legal entity acting as a trader changes.

In the event of a change to the scope of business, re-registration is required not only for the established business but also for the itinerant trade.

The re-registration must be carried out by the following persons or their authorised representatives:

  • in the case of sole traders, by the business owner themselves,
  • in the case of legal entities, such as a GmbH or AG, by the statutory representatives

In the case of partnerships, for example OHG, KG, GbR/BGB partnership, GmbH & Co. KG, each partner authorised to manage the business must submit a re-registration application.

If you move your place of business to the jurisdiction of another local authority, you must register the business at the new location. This is not a change of registration.

Forms/Online Services

Responsible authority

the local authority/town council of the place of business

Bürgerbüro [Stadt Ettenheim]

Details

Prerequisite

  • You relocate your place of business, a branch or a dependent subsidiary within a local authority’s area of jurisdiction, or
  • you alter or expand the range of goods and services offered, thereby changing the nature of your business, or
  • the name of the business changes.

Procedure

You can re-register your business in person, online, by post or by fax.

  • If you are re-registering in person or in writing, you must complete the ‘Business Re-registration’ form (GewA 2) and sign it in person.
  • The ‘GewA 2’ form is available from the office responsible for business re-registration or, depending on the services offered, can also be downloaded.
  • The relevant authority will confirm receipt of your business re-registration once the re-registration form has been completed in full.
  • The relevant authority will forward the business re-registration to other bodies, such as the tax office, the employers’ liability insurance association, the Chamber of Skilled Crafts or the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and, where applicable, the registry court.
  • The procedure can be handled via a single point of contact.

Deadlines

You are obliged to re-register your business at the time of relocation or any change to your business. If you change or expand the scope of your business, or if the name of the business owner changes, you must also re-register at that time.

Required documents

  • Proof of identity, such as an identity card or a passport accompanied by a certificate of residence. When registering a change of business address electronically, the relevant authority may use other suitable and appropriate methods to verify your identity, such as PIN/TAN procedures, the electronic ID function, De-Mail or a self-declaration of identity.
  • A copy of the extract from the commercial register, if your company is entered in the commercial register. Similarly: the register of co-operatives, the register of associations, the register of foundations

Costs

The amount of the charges is determined in accordance with the local authority’s schedule of charges.

Processing time

If you have completed the form correctly and your documents are in order, the relevant authority will issue you with a confirmation of receipt of your change of address either immediately or within three days if you visit in person. If you submit your change of address in writing or electronically, you will receive confirmation of receipt within three days.

Miscellaneous

If you expand your business to include an activity that requires a licence and you do not hold the relevant licence from the authorities, the competent authority may prevent you from continuing to operate.

If you wish to visit in person, you may need to book an appointment in advance. Please check with the relevant authority.

Detailed information

Bei Tätigkeiten nach § 38 GewO, die aufgrund einer Gefährdung Dritter einer besonderen Überwachung unterliegen, überprüft die zuständige Ordnungsbehörde Ihre persönliche Zuverlässigkeit. Hierfür müssen Sie bei einer Erweiterung Ihres Gewerbebetriebes um solche sogenannten „überwachungspflichtigen“ Tätigkeiten folgende Unterlagen beantragen:

  • Führungszeugnis zur Vorlage bei einer Behörde nach § 30 Absatz 5 Bundeszentralregistergesetz
  • Gewerbezentralregisterauszug zur Vorlage bei einer Behörde nach § 150 Absatz 5 Gewerbeordnung

Legal basis

Gewerbeordnung (GewO):

  • § 11 Verarbeitung personenbezogener Daten
  • § 14 Anzeigepflicht
  • § 15 Empfangsbescheinigung
  • § 55c Anzeigepflicht bei Reisegewerbe
  • § 6b Absatz 1 GewO und § 71a ff. LVwVfG in Verbindung mit §§ 1 ff. des Gesetzes über einheitliche Ansprechpartner für das Land Baden-Württemberg (EAG BW) (Verfahren über eine einheitliche Stelle, einheitliche Ansprechpartner)

Verordnung zur Ausgestaltung des Gewerbeanzeigeverfahrens (GewAnzV)

Landesverwaltungsverfahrengesetz (LVwVfG):

  • § 3a elektronische Kommunikation

Release note

machine generated, based on the German release by: Wirtschaftsministerium Baden-Württemberg, 02.09.2026