Information about Hamburg

The Hanseatic City of Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany. The city is home to approximately 1.8 million people and is situated in the northwestern part of Germany. Hamburg is surrounded by two other Federal States, Schleswig-Holstein to the north and Niedersachsen to the south.

Wind your way up the Elbe River from the North Sea and you'll find the city-state's bustling port - Europe's second largest - and a major international commercial hub.

With tradition going back centuries and increasingly strong ties with Asia today, Hamburg is a major gateway to the world. The river's waters permeate the region, providing its inhabitants with gorgeous tree-lined waterways and lush parklands. With the wealth, know-how, and connections garnered through maritime trade, Hamburg has grown into the world's third-largest civil aviation center and the heart of Germany's unmatched logistical infrastructure. Movement in goods is matched by movement in ideas: Hamburg is a leading player in media, marketing, IT, and life sciences. Highly trained employees stream from the region's 20 universities into the workforce to keep these industries competitive, vibrant, and vigorous.

As a magnet for over 3,500 international companies and their employees, Hamburg is an incredibly international and culturally diverse city. The city boasts some of Europe's finest offerings in art, theater, opera, music, and ballet. The new Elbe Philharmonic Hall will only add to this fantastic range of venues and draw more people from around the globe to Germany's ''harbor city''.

Business Related Sites in Hamburg

Foreign entrepreneurs will find many state level institutions that offer helpful support for business operations.

The State of Hamburg
The official website of the State of Hamburg is a first source of information on local matters.

http://english.hamburg.de

Hamburg Business Development Corporation (HWF)
We act as a service partner and main contact for any company wanting to expand, restructure or relocate in the Greater Hamburg Region. We see our role as a pilot who guides business interests through the ''jungle'' of public authorities and institutions. Our website is also designed to open up new paths for you and your business.

http://www.hamburg-economy.de

Further languages: (cn) (ru)

Wirtschaftszentrum Hamburg (German Only)

Nine local economic development agencies offer advice and financial support to investors and enterprises and start-ups in Hamburg.

http://www.wirtschaftszentrum-hamburg.de

HEI - Hamburger Initiative für Existenzgründer und Innovationen (German only)
The network of the startup initiative ''Hamburger Initiative für Existenzgründer und Innovationen (HEI)'', which embraces 130 partners, offers advice and individual support for a succesful  start to self-empoyment.

http://hei-hamburg.de

HSH Nordbank AG

HSH Nordbank is a strong partner to the regional business community in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein.

http://www.hsh-nordbank.com

Hamburg Chamber of Commerce
The Hamburg Chamber of Commerce is the centre of commercial self-administration and also asserts the interests of Hamburg?s business community in political and social aspects.

http://www.hk24.de

Hamburg Chamber of Skilled Crafts
The Hamburg Chamber of Skilled Crafts is a non-profit corporation under public law which provides a wide range of services to promote a strong and competitive skilled crafts sector in Hamburg and represents the interests of its members in politics as well as vis-à-vis the public administration.

http://www.hwk-hamburg.de

Hamburg Tourism GmbH
Online travel guide of the Hamburg Tourismus GmbH.

http://www.hamburg-tourism.de

Further languages: (ar) (cn) (cz) (da) (es) (fi) (fr) (gr) (hu) (it) (jp) (nl) (no) (pl) (ru) (se)

Point of Single Contact in Hamburg

Service businesses from EU Member States seeking for support with the German administrative procedures may address the local Points of Single Contact. These state run one-stop-shops will guide them through the necessary paper work.

The Point of Single Contact in Hamburg provides both service providers and recipients information about starting, changing and ending service activities in Hamburg. In addition, the required application procedures can be processed electronically via the Point of Single Contact.

http://www.hamburg.de/point-of-single-contact/

The service of the Points of Single Contact is optional. Entrepreneurs may always address themselves directly to the relevant authorities, if they prefer. Moreover, there are many institutions at the state level that may be addressed for further support.