How to Form a US LLC from Germany: Complete 2026 Guide
Germany has Europe's largest economy and a thriving scene of solo founders, Amazon sellers and digital agencies — many of whom add a US LLC to sell on American platforms, bill US clients in dollars and keep their international business cleanly separated. As a German resident you can own a US LLC with just your passport; here is exactly how it works and when it is worth it.
Why Germans form a US LLC
- Selling on Amazon USA as a domestic seller with full FBA access and fewer category restrictions.
- Working with US wholesale suppliers that require a US entity and EIN to open trade accounts.
- Billing US clients in dollars through a US bank account, with an entity American clients recognize.
- Structuring SaaS and digital products for US customers, investors or partners.
Requirements if you're based in Germany
A valid German passport (the Personalausweis is not accepted by US registries), being 18 or older, and your German address. No visa, no SSN, no travel. Everything is handled remotely, and the formation plus EIN typically completes within two weeks.
The full process
We form your LLC — normally in New Mexico or Wyoming for cost and privacy, or Delaware if you plan to raise US venture capital — file the SS-4 for your EIN by fax (within 7 days maximum) and prepare a complete Operating Agreement. We then guide you through the US bank account application. The €600/year plan covers your registered agent, state annual reports and the federal filings required each year.
Banking from Germany
Mercury, Relay and Wise Business accept German-resident founders with a US LLC and EIN, and Germany is generally a low-scrutiny jurisdiction for these banks. We review your case and direct you to the option with the highest first-attempt approval odds.
Your German tax side
This is the part people get wrong: owning a US single-member LLC as a German tax resident does not remove German taxation. Depending on your situation the LLC may be treated as transparent (income taxed in your German personal declaration) or — in some cases — as a German-taxable foreign corporation. The classification is a question for your German Steuerberater, and the answer depends on your facts. We deliver complete, organized US documentation (EIN letter, filings, 5472) so their analysis is quick and cheap. Also note: a stake in a US LLC is foreign business property that may need to be reported in your German tax return.
What activities is a US LLC best suited for?
A US LLC is not the right tool for everything. These are the activities where it works best — and where most of our clients with your profile use it:
- Selling on Amazon USA as a domestic seller with full FBA access and fewer category restrictions.
- Working with US wholesale suppliers that require a US entity and EIN to open trade accounts.
- Billing US clients in dollars through a US bank account, with an entity American clients recognize.
- Structuring SaaS and digital products for US customers, investors or partners.
Beyond the specific activity, three habits define whether the structure works: keep a clear record of every movement between you and your LLC (it is the basis of Form 5472), keep the business bank account strictly separate, and review your home-country declaration with a local adviser once a year. We handle the entire US side so that annual review is fast and cheap.
An honest note: if your activity is entirely local — only clients, suppliers and operations in your country of residence — the LLC adds US obligations without real benefits, and a local structure is the sensible choice. The LLC shines when you invoice abroad, sell on US platforms or want an international structure with partners or investors in the US.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Any German citizen 18 or older can own a US LLC with just a passport. No visa, SSN or travel is required; the process is fully remote.
Generally no — German tax residents remain taxable in Germany on their income. The LLC's value is operational (Amazon USA, US suppliers, US banking), not a tax shelter. Your Steuerberater confirms the classification for your case.
Formation takes a few days and the EIN arrives within 7 days. Most clients are operational, with bank account, within two to three weeks.
Ready to form your LLC from Germany?
€600/year all inclusive: formation, EIN in 7 days, registered agent, annual compliance and a domain with professional email.
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