Hamburg District Court

Apply for registration of a European Cooperative in the Cooperative Register

Do you want to establish a European Cooperative Society (SCE)? Find out how to apply for registration in the cooperative register here.

Detailed description

A cooperative is an association of people who want to support each other economically, culturally, or socially through joint business operations.


Members can be natural persons or legal persons under private or public law.



A European Cooperative Society (SCE – Societas Cooperativa Europaea) is a special legal form valid throughout the European Union (EU). It allows a cooperative to operate in several EU countries simultaneously without having to establish a new one in each country. The cooperative's registered office is located in an EU member state. The European Cooperative Society is a separate legal entity. This means it can enter into contracts, have rights, and assume obligations.



You can register a European Cooperative Society in the Cooperative Register if you

  • to establish a new European Cooperative Society with members from at least two different EU member states,
  • merge existing cooperatives from at least two EU countries or
  • wish to convert a German cooperative with international activities into a European cooperative.

If the European Cooperative Society has its headquarters abroad but a branch in Germany, this branch must also be entered in the cooperative register.



Important changes must be entered, for example

  • Changes to the registered office of the cooperative,
  • Amendments to the statutes or
  • Changes in the persons authorized to represent the organization.
 

Information

Prerequisites

You want

  • to establish a new European Cooperative Society or
  • merge at least two existing cooperatives from different EU member states to form a European Cooperative Society or
  • to convert an existing cooperative that
    • was founded in an EU member state,
    • has its headquarters or main office in an EU member state or
    • has operated a branch or subsidiary in another EU member state for at least 2 years.

You can establish a European Cooperative Society with

  • at least 5 natural persons who live in at least 2 different EU Member States or
  • at least 5 natural or legal persons, if they are subject to the law or residence of at least 2 EU Member States or
  • at least 2 legal entities that are subject to the law of at least 2 different EU Member States.

Employee participation is regulated:

  • There is an agreement regarding their participation or
  • The negotiating body has decided not to start or to break off negotiations or
  • The negotiation period has expired.

The European Cooperative is accredited by a cooperative auditing association.

Documents required

If you are establishing a new European Cooperative Society, you must submit the following documents:

  • Articles of Association of the Cooperative
  • Certificate of appointment of the supervisory board or administrative board and the persons authorized to represent the company
  • Certificate from a cooperative auditing association confirming that your cooperative is permitted to become a member.

Depending on the individual case, additional or different documents may be required. Your notary's office will inform you which additional documents you need to submit.

Please note

Typical of a cooperative is:

  • Acting collectively: People join together to achieve something together (e.g., buying cheaper goods, building apartments, generating energy)
  • Co-determination: Each member has one vote, regardless of the size of their investment.
  • Membership: One becomes a shareholder by acquiring cooperative shares.
  • Liability: Members are generally only liable with their shares, not with their personal assets.

Examples of cooperatives include:

  • Housing cooperatives
  • Energy or agricultural cooperatives
  • Credit cooperatives, such as Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken

A registered cooperative is considered a legal entity that is the bearer of rights and obligations.

Deadlines

no

Procedure

  • You apply for registration or important changes to the European Cooperative Society through a notary.
  • The notary
    • advises you,
    • The registration is created in accordance with legal requirements and
    • sends this in electronic form and with an electronic signature to the electronic court and administrative mailbox of the responsible authority.
  • The relevant authority may require an advance payment from you in the amount of the anticipated registration fees.
  • They pay the advance on costs.
  • The responsible authority will review your documents. If necessary, it will request further documents or information from you or your notary.
  • The responsible authority carries out the registration in the cooperative register.
  • You will receive a registration confirmation and a final invoice.
  • They settle the final invoice.

Processing time

The processing time depends on the individual case.

Fees


  • EUR 420.00 for registration in the cooperative register

  • EUR 720.00 for registration in the cooperative register when establishing a European Cooperative Society by way of conversion

    • In this case, additional fees will be charged for registering the conversion with the companies or cooperatives being converted.


  • Notary fees will also apply. You can find out the amount from the notary's office.

Legal remedies

Complaint

Legal basis

Articles 1, 2, 3, 11, 18, 37, 39, 42, 52 of Regulation (EC) No 1435/2003 of 22 July 2003 on the Statute for a European Cooperative Society (SCE Regulation)


https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX%3A32003R1435&from=SK




Sections 3, 12, 14, 17, 18, 22, 23, 35 of the Act Implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1435/2003 of 22 July 2003 on the Statute for a European Cooperative Society (SCE Implementation Act – SCEAG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sceag/__3.html




Sections 10 to 11a, 14, 157 of the Cooperative Societies Act (GenG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/geng/__10.html




Sections 36 and 37 of the Stock Corporation Act (AktG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aktg/__36.html




Section 12 of the German Commercial Code (HGB)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/hgb/__12.html




Regulation on the Cooperative Register (GenRegV)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/genregv/inhalts_bersicht.html




Law on the participation of employees in a European Cooperative Society (SCE Participation Act - SCEBG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/scebg/




Transformation Act (UmwG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/umwg_1995/

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Hamburg District Court

Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-2 p.m., inspection of files 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Only responsible for entries in the register of cooperatives and property law. Written inquiries can only be made by post or fax. Processing by email is not possible.

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Last updated: 16.02.2026