Country Guide
EIN for German Entrepreneurs
Apply for a US EIN from Germany without an SSN. ein.so handles the IRS fax filing for German Amazon sellers, GmbH owners, and EU-US businesses. $49 Standard. $97 Express.
German entrepreneurs can get a US EIN by faxing IRS Form SS-4 with their Reisepass (passport) number. No SSN, ITIN, or US visa is required. Germany is the second-largest Amazon market in the world, and German sellers expanding to Amazon.com need an EIN. ein.so handles the fax filing for $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 7 business days).
Germany's Position in US-EU Trade
Germany has a population of 84 million, a GDP of $4.2 trillion (4th largest globally), and is the #2 Amazon market worldwide after the US. US-Germany bilateral trade exceeds $250 billion annually. Over 5,000 German companies have US subsidiaries. German entrepreneurs expand into the US market through Amazon FBA, SaaS, manufacturing exports, and professional services. A US EIN is the starting point for all of these activities -- it unlocks US banking, marketplace registration, payment processing, and tax compliance. The EUR/USD exchange rate trades near 1.09.
What This Guide Covers for German Entrepreneurs
This guide covers the complete EIN application process for German entrepreneurs, including the GmbH vs LLC decision, VAT and sales tax considerations, Amazon.com expansion from Germany, and how ein.so simplifies the process for German business owners. Read our complete guide on EIN for non-US residents for the full process.
| Factor | Germany | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Business Entity | GmbH / UG / Einzelunternehmen | LLC / Corporation |
| Tax ID | Steuernummer (13 digits) / USt-IdNr | EIN (9 digits: XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Corporate Tax Rate | ~30% (15% corp + 14-17% trade tax) | 21% federal corporate rate |
| Banking | EUR accounts; Deutsche Bank, Sparkasse | USD accounts; Mercury, Relay, Chase |
| Currency | EUR (~1.09 per USD) | USD (global reserve currency) |
| Amazon Ranking | #2 Amazon market globally (Amazon.de) | #1 Amazon market globally (Amazon.com) |
Use Cases
Why Do German Entrepreneurs Need a US EIN?
Amazon.de generates $37.6 billion in annual revenue, while Amazon.com generates $575 billion -- a customer base roughly 4 times larger. Over 50,000 German Amazon sellers are already active on Amazon.de, and expansion to Amazon.com is the natural next step. Here are the main reasons German entrepreneurs apply for a US EIN through ein.so:
Key Drivers for German EIN Applications
Amazon FBA (US Marketplace)
EU-US Business Expansion
SaaS and Technology
Manufacturing and Export
Entity Structure
GmbH vs US LLC: Which Structure Should German Entrepreneurs Choose?
90% of German entrepreneurs we serve form a new US LLC rather than qualifying their GmbH. A GmbH minimum capital requirement is EUR 25,000, while a US LLC costs $100-300 to form. Here is the comparison:
Entity Structure Decision Matrix
| Factor | GmbH in the US | New US LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Foreign qualification required | Simple online formation ($100-300) |
| Tax Treatment | Treated as foreign corporation | Pass-through (disregarded entity) |
| Annual Cost | Higher (state fees, compliance) | Lower ($50-300/year depending on state) |
| Recommended? | Only for large companies with US offices | Yes, for most German entrepreneurs |
The vast majority of German entrepreneurs form a new US LLC. It is simpler, cheaper, and provides cleaner legal separation between your German and US business activities. Your GmbH can remain your German entity while your US LLC handles US operations. Each entity has its own tax ID -- your Steuernummer in Germany and your EIN in the US. For more on LLC EINs, see our EIN for LLC guide.
Tax Systems
How Do German VAT and US Sales Tax Work Together?
German VAT (Umsatzsteuer) is a flat 19% on most goods and services, while the US has no federal sales tax -- instead, 45 states charge sales tax ranging from 2.9% to 7.25%. Amazon FBA handles collection and remittance automatically in all required states. Here is how the systems interact:
VAT vs Sales Tax: A Direct Comparison
German VAT Does Not Apply to US Sales
US Sales Tax is State-Level
Amazon FBA Simplifies Tax Collection
Income Tax (US-Germany Treaty)
ein.so handles the EIN application -- tax compliance is between you and your Steuerberater. Your EIN is the foundation for all US tax reporting. For more about the application, visit our how to get an EIN guide.
Application
What Do German Applicants Need to Know About Form SS-4?
German applicants have a 97% first-submission success rate through ein.so. The Form SS-4 application is straightforward for German applicants, but there are a few Germany-specific details to get right:
Germany-Specific SS-4 Formatting Rules
Passport Number (Reisepass)
German Address Formatting
Umlauts and Special Characters
Banking
How Do German Entrepreneurs Manage EUR and USD Banking?
EUR/USD fluctuated between 1.05 and 1.12 over the past 12 months. On a $200,000 annual revenue base, poor timing on conversions costs $5,000-$10,000 per year. A US bank account eliminates forced conversion. Here is how to set up dual-currency banking:
Dual-Currency Banking for German Sellers
US Bank Account
Wise Multi-Currency
Stripe (US Entity)
Amazon Payments
Learn more about using your EIN for banking. Your EIN is the key that opens the US financial system for German entrepreneurs. No SSN required.
EIN Application Checklist for German Entrepreneurs
| Document | What to Prepare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reisepass (Passport) | Valid German passport | Use Reisepass number, not Personalausweis |
| US LLC Documents | Articles of Organization, entity name, state | Wyoming or Delaware most common |
| German Address | Street + Hausnummer, PLZ, Stadt | ein.so converts to US format; handles umlauts |
| Registered Agent | US registered agent name and address | US business address for IRS correspondence |
| Business Activity | Brief description of US business | E.g., "Amazon FBA," "SaaS," "manufacturing export" |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can German citizens get a US EIN?
Yes. German citizens and residents can get a US EIN by submitting Form SS-4 by fax to the IRS. No SSN or ITIN is required. Your German passport number (Reisepass) serves as identification. ein.so handles the process for $49 (Standard, 4-7 business days) or $97 (Express, 7 business days).
Do I need an SSN or ITIN to get a US EIN from Germany?
No. German applicants do not need a US Social Security Number or ITIN. Your Reisepass (passport) number is used on Form SS-4 as your foreign identification number. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, so German applicants use the fax method. ein.so handles the fax filing.
Should I use my GmbH or form a US LLC?
Most German entrepreneurs form a separate US LLC rather than registering their GmbH in the US. A US LLC is simpler, cheaper to maintain, and provides cleaner separation between German and US operations. Foreign qualifying a GmbH in a US state involves more complexity and higher costs. Your US LLC gets its own EIN.
How does the US-Germany tax treaty affect my EIN?
The US-Germany tax treaty prevents double taxation. Business profits from your US LLC are taxable in Germany (where you reside) unless you have a permanent establishment in the US. The treaty provides credits for taxes paid in either country. Consult a Steuerberater familiar with US-German tax obligations.
Can I sell on Amazon.com from Germany with a US EIN?
Yes. Germany is Amazon's second-largest market globally after the US. Many German sellers on Amazon.de expand to Amazon.com using a US LLC and EIN. Your EIN completes the Amazon tax interview, giving you access to the US marketplace and FBA warehouses.
How do I handle VAT and US sales tax?
German VAT (Umsatzsteuer) and US sales tax are separate systems. Your US LLC is not subject to German VAT for US sales. US sales tax is collected at the state level. Amazon handles sales tax collection for FBA sellers. Your German Umsatzsteuer-ID is not used for US tax purposes -- your EIN is your US tax identifier.
What is the difference between a Steuernummer and a US EIN?
Your Steuernummer (tax number) is issued by the Finanzamt for German tax purposes. A US EIN is issued by the IRS for US tax purposes. They serve different jurisdictions. If you operate businesses in both Germany and the US, you need both. Your German tax number cannot be used for US banking or compliance.