Create a bespoke document in minutes, or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your information
Share Purchase Agreement
I need a share purchase agreement for the acquisition of 100% of the shares in a privately-held German company, including provisions for purchase price adjustment, representations and warranties, and a non-compete clause for the sellers. The agreement should comply with German corporate law and include a closing date within 60 days of signing.
What is a Share Purchase Agreement?
A Share Purchase Agreement lays out the terms and conditions when buying or selling company shares in Germany. It's the key legal contract between a share seller and buyer, spelling out exactly what's being sold, at what price, and under what conditions the deal will happen.
Under German corporate law (Aktiengesetz), these agreements protect both parties by clearly stating payment terms, warranties, and any special conditions. They typically include important details about the company's financial status, seller guarantees, and what happens if problems come up later. For GmbH companies, the agreement must be notarized to be legally valid.
When should you use a Share Purchase Agreement?
Use a Share Purchase Agreement when buying or selling shares in a German company, especially for significant ownership transfers. This applies to both private deals between individual shareholders and larger corporate transactions involving multiple parties.
The agreement becomes essential during company mergers, family business successions, or when bringing in new investors. German law requires notarization for GmbH share transfers, making timing crucial. Companies often need these agreements when restructuring ownership, selling minority stakes, or when foreign investors enter the business - situations where clear documentation of the transfer terms protects everyone involved.
What are the different types of Share Purchase Agreement?
- Simple Share Purchase Agreement: Basic version for straightforward share transfers between two parties, ideal for small GmbH transactions
- Shareholder Purchase Agreement: More detailed agreement focusing on existing shareholder rights and obligations
- Company Share Sale Agreement: Comprehensive version for complex corporate transactions with extensive warranties
- Stock Buy Back Agreement: Specialized format for when companies repurchase their own shares
- Founders Stock Purchase Agreement: Tailored for startup scenarios with specific founder-related provisions
Who should typically use a Share Purchase Agreement?
- Company Shareholders: Both sellers and buyers of shares who need to document their transaction legally and protect their interests
- Corporate Lawyers: Draft and review Share Purchase Agreements to ensure compliance with German corporate law and protect client interests
- Notaries: Required by German law to authenticate and certify share transfers, especially for GmbH companies
- Business Advisors: Help structure deals and negotiate terms, particularly for complex transactions
- Company Directors: Often involved in approving and executing agreements, especially in larger corporate transactions
- Tax Advisors: Guide parties on tax implications and structure agreements to optimize tax efficiency under German law
How do you write a Share Purchase Agreement?
- Company Details: Gather accurate corporate information, including registration numbers, addresses, and current shareholding structure
- Share Information: Document the exact number, class, and nominal value of shares being transferred
- Purchase Price: Determine and clearly state the price, payment terms, and any adjustments or earn-out provisions
- Due Diligence: Review company financial statements, contracts, and potential liabilities
- Warranties: List all seller guarantees about the company's condition and legal status
- Notary Appointment: Schedule a German notary for the mandatory authentication of the agreement
- Document Generation: Use our platform to create a legally compliant agreement that includes all required elements under German law
What should be included in a Share Purchase Agreement?
- Party Details: Full legal names, addresses, and registration numbers of buyer, seller, and company
- Share Description: Precise details of shares being transferred, including class, nominal value, and percentage
- Purchase Price: Clear payment terms, method, and any price adjustment mechanisms
- Warranties Section: Seller's guarantees about company status, assets, and liabilities
- Transfer Mechanics: Specific steps for executing the share transfer under German law
- Notarization Clause: Mandatory requirement for GmbH share transfers
- Governing Law: Statement specifying German law application and jurisdiction
- Compliance Statement: Reference to relevant German corporate regulations and requirements
What's the difference between a Share Purchase Agreement and an Asset Purchase Agreement?
A Share Purchase Agreement differs significantly from an Asset Purchase Agreement in German business transactions. While both involve company acquisitions, they serve distinct purposes and have different legal implications under German law.
- Transaction Scope: Share Purchase Agreements transfer company ownership through share sales, while Asset Purchase Agreements involve buying specific company assets or business divisions
- Legal Structure: Share deals transfer all company rights and obligations automatically, whereas asset deals require individual transfer of each asset and contract
- Tax Implications: Share deals typically trigger share transfer tax, while asset deals may involve VAT and real estate transfer tax
- Due Diligence: Share deals require company-wide review, but asset deals focus only on specific assets being transferred
- Employee Rights: Share deals maintain all employment relationships unchanged, while asset deals trigger specific employee protection rules under German law
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
ұԾ’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a £1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.