# Olea FAQ – virtual office and business address in Germany > Every question and answer from the Olea FAQ: business addresses (Geschäftsadresse, ladungsfähige Anschrift), mail handling, compliance/KYC, billing and workspace access. ## Top questions The most common questions about Olea and our business address service. ### What is a virtual office? A virtual office gives you a professional business address without renting physical office space. With Olea, you get an address at hand-picked offices and coworking spaces across Germany, plus digital mail handling, workspace access when you need it, and full compliance for company registration. ### Can I use my address for company registration? Yes. Your Olea address is a genuine, serviceable address (ladungsfähige Anschrift) that you can use for your Handelsregister entry and Impressum, as well as for Finanzamt correspondence and as the business or administrative address for a Gewerbeanmeldung. We provide the supporting address documentation you need. ### What's included in my virtual office? Your plan includes unlimited mail receipt, a digital mailbox with 5 scans per month, 10 letter archives total, company registration documentation, workspace booking access, and reception services during business hours. No hidden fees. ### How quickly can I get started? Sign up and pay in minutes. Once you've completed our compliance form (typically 10–15 minutes), we review it and activate your account as soon as possible – usually the same day. Occasionally we may need a little more information from you. As soon as your account is active, you can start using your address and receiving mail. ### What happens to my mail? It depends on the option you choose. With the digital mailbox (included as standard), letters are scanned and uploaded to your online mailbox, typically within 5–7 days of receipt. You can also have originals forwarded to you by post (from €10/month + postage, depending on frequency) or collect them in person. Options vary by location. ### How much does an Olea virtual office cost? Pricing depends on the location you choose, starting from €69/month. Every location includes the same complete service – the price simply reflects the address. Annual plans save 15%, with no setup fees or hidden costs. ### How is a virtual office different from a traditional office? A virtual office gives you a professional business address and mail handling without high costs, long-term commitments, or maintenance. You save up to 90% compared to traditional leases while getting a credible address, and you can book workspace at your location whenever you need it. ### Which cities do you have locations in? We have locations across Germany including Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Düsseldorf. Browse our location directory to find offices in your preferred business district. ## Setup & verification Everything you need to know about signing up, verification, and getting activated. ### What do I need to sign up? A valid ID (passport or German ID card) and basic business information. If you're registering a company, we'll also need your business registration documents. Our step-by-step compliance form guides you through everything. ### Why do I need to complete verification? German law (GwG) requires identity verification before providing a business address service. This ensures compliance with anti-money laundering regulations and protects both you and our service. The process takes about 10–15 minutes. ### How long does account activation take? Usually the same day after you submit your compliance form. If we need additional information, we'll reach out with clear instructions. Once approved, you'll receive your welcome email with everything you need. ### What documents will I receive after activation? You'll receive your address confirmation (Nutzungsüberlassungserklärung) and purchase confirmation. Together with the terms and conditions accepted at checkout, these confirm your contractual right to use the address and authorise us to receive mail on your behalf. ### Can I sign up before my company is formed? Yes. You can sign up and complete verification before your company is officially registered. Once formed, let us know and we'll update your account and provide the documentation you need for registration with authorities. ### Can international businesses sign up? Yes. We support international entrepreneurs establishing a business presence in Germany. You'll need a valid passport and your business registration documents. We provide guidance for non-German businesses throughout the verification process. ### How is my data protected? All data is processed in accordance with GDPR and stored on secure servers within Germany. Documents and correspondence are encrypted with strict access controls. We never share your information with third parties without consent, and you can request data deletion at any time subject to legal retention requirements. ## Registration & compliance How to use your business address for company registration and official purposes. ### What is a business address (Geschäftsadresse)? A professional address that meets all legal requirements for German company registration. With Olea, you get a legally valid address at quality offices across Germany, plus documentation, digital mail handling, and workspace access. ### What can I use my Olea address for? Your Olea address is a genuine, serviceable business address. You can use it for the Handelsregister, Finanzamt correspondence, Gewerbeanmeldung and your Impressum. It can also be used as a verifiable business address for banks, payment providers and online marketplaces as part of their standard onboarding checks. ### What company types can use a business address? All German company types: GmbH, UG (haftungsbeschränkt), GmbH & Co. KG, AG, Einzelunternehmen, GbR, and freelancers. If you have questions about your specific situation, contact us. ### Can I use the address for my website Impressum? Yes. Your address meets all requirements for your website Impressum (DDG § 5) as a ladungsfähige Anschrift. You can display it on your website, business cards, email signatures, and all marketing materials. ### What happens to official mail from authorities? All mail – including from Finanzamt, Handelsregister, and other authorities – is forwarded to our scanning facility and uploaded to your digital mailbox within hours of processing. You can view it immediately online. ### Can I change my business address location? Yes, you can change locations at any time. If you need to move your business address, we'll provide guidance on updating your details with Handelsregister, Finanzamt, and other authorities. ### Does this address make it my place of business for tax purposes? Not automatically. Your Betriebsstätte (place of business) and Ort der Geschäftsleitung (place of management) are determined by where you conduct your work – not just your address (AO §§ 10, 12). You can use our address for Handelsregister, Impressum, and correspondence, and book workspace when you need to work on-site. For specific tax implications, consult your tax adviser. ### Can I use an Olea address as my registered business address in Germany? Yes. You make the registration yourself – with the Handelsregister when you incorporate, with the Gewerbeamt for a Gewerbeanmeldung and with the Finanzamt for tax correspondence – and Olea supplies what those filings require: a real street address at a staffed office, written consent to use it (Nutzungsüberlassungserklärung) and receipt of official post at that address. In German an address that qualifies is called a ladungsfähige Anschrift. Banks, payment providers and marketplaces ask for the same address during onboarding, though each runs its own checks and the decision stays with them. ## Mail & workspace How your digital mailbox works and how to book workspace across our network. ### How does the digital mailbox work? Mail arriving at your location is collected and forwarded weekly to our scanning facility. Letters are scanned within hours of arrival and uploaded to your digital mailbox – typically within 5–7 days of receipt at your location. You get a notification when new mail is available, and can view, forward, archive, or shred it online. ### How many scans and archives are included? 5 mail scans per month and 10 letter archives total. Additional scans are €0.79 per letter, and additional archives are €0.10 per letter. ### Can I forward mail to another address? Yes. Add physical forwarding to have original letters posted to any address: • Monthly forwarding: €10/month • Weekly forwarding: €30/month • Daily forwarding: €70/month Postage costs apply on top of the forwarding fee. International forwarding available at additional cost. ### Can I receive packages? Yes. Packages are received at your location with the first 7 days of storage free, then €2 per day. You can collect in person or request forwarding to another address. ### How are mail usage charges billed? Usage charges – like additional scans, one-off forwarding, and package storage – accumulate during your billing period and are added to your next monthly invoice. You can view current usage and upcoming charges in your customer portal. ### How do I book workspace? Submit a booking request through your account with your preferred workspace type, date, and time. We confirm availability within 2–4 hours during business hours and send booking confirmation with access details. ### What workspace options are available? Meeting rooms (from €10/hour), coworking desks (from €25/day), and private offices (from €75/day). Workspace packages are also available for regular users. Availability and pricing vary by location. ### What are workspace packages? Discounted rates for regular workspace users. Options include meeting room passes (8, 16, or 40 hours/month), coworking passes (5, 10, or unlimited days/month), and private office passes. Billed monthly, add or remove anytime. ### Can I use workspace at other locations? Yes. You can book workspace at any location in our network, not just your registered address. This gives you flexibility to work from different cities when travelling or meeting clients. ### How do I order add-on services? Through your account or via the link in your welcome email. Available add-ons include lobby signage, storage lockers, and workspace packages. Submit your request and we'll confirm and add it to your next invoice. ### What's the difference between digital mailbox and mail forwarding? With digital mailbox, your mail is scanned weekly and uploaded to your online mailbox – you can view, download, and manage everything digitally. With mail forwarding, we post the original letters to an address you choose on a schedule (daily, weekly, or monthly). Postage costs apply on top of the forwarding fee. You can use both together, or just one. Options vary by location. ## Billing & account Pricing, payments, plan changes, and cancellation. ### How does pricing work? Pricing varies by location – from €69/month at launch. The same complete service is included everywhere, so price only reflects the address itself. Annual plans save 15%. No setup fees, no hidden costs. ### Why does pricing vary by location? All locations include the same core service – the price difference reflects the address itself. Prime locations in sought-after business districts are priced higher, while locations in quieter areas offer the same service at a lower cost. ### Are there any hidden fees? No. Your monthly price includes everything: unlimited mail receipt, digital mailbox with 5 scans per month and 10 archives total, registration documentation, workspace booking access, and reception services. Usage beyond your included allowance is charged transparently – see our pricing page for details. ### What's the difference between monthly and annual plans? Annual plans save you 15% compared to monthly billing. Both include the same core service. Annual plans are billed upfront at the start of each year, while monthly plans are billed on the same date each month. ### Do prices include VAT? Prices shown exclude VAT. German tax regulations require VAT to be calculated separately based on your business registration status. The final amount including VAT is shown at checkout. ### What payment methods do you accept? Credit cards, SEPA direct debit, and bank transfers. All major international payment methods are supported. Payments are processed securely via Stripe. ### When will I be billed? Monthly plans are billed on the same date each month. Annual plans are billed upfront at the start of each year. You'll receive renewal reminders 30 days and 7 days before your renewal date. ### What happens if my payment fails? We'll notify you immediately and retry automatically. If payment is still unsuccessful after 7 days, services are temporarily suspended. You have a 90-day recovery period to update your payment method and restore your account. ### Can I change my plan or location? Yes. Change locations at any time through your account – changes take effect from your next billing cycle. If changing your registered address, we'll guide you on updating authorities. ### How do I cancel? Request cancellation at any time by contacting us or through your account. We'll send a short confirmation form, and your service continues until the end of your current billing period. We provide guidance on updating your registered address with authorities and handling remaining mail. ### Can I get a refund? Refunds are handled on a case-by-case basis depending on your situation and remaining billing period. Contact our support team to discuss. ## Notes - “Registered business address” commonly refers to the official address a business registers with the relevant authorities. In Germany, this may include the Handelsregister, Gewerbeamt and Finanzamt, depending on the business and its legal form. The address generally needs to be a physical street address in Germany where official documents can be served and received – a ladungsfähige Geschäftsadresse, rather than a PO box (Postfach). Olea provides a real street address at a staffed office, written authorisation to use it and receipt of official post. You remain responsible for registering the address with the relevant authorities. - Human FAQ pages: [German (primary)](https://oleaoffice.com/de/resources/faq) · [English](https://oleaoffice.com/en/resources/faq) - Pricing in markdown: [pricing.md](https://oleaoffice.com/pricing.md) · Full catalogue: [locations.md](https://oleaoffice.com/locations.md) · Site index for LLMs: [llms.txt](https://oleaoffice.com/llms.txt) - Generated 2026-09-01T08:04:17Z from the same sources as the human pages; regenerated at least hourly.