# Germany Company Scraper — Handelsregister Live Search (`dltik/germany-companies-scraper`) Actor

Search German companies live from the official commercial register (handelsregister.de, free since 2022). Get company name, register number (HRB/HRA), court, federal state and status — fresh, not a stale dump. For KYC, B2B prospecting, CRM enrichment.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/dltik/germany-companies-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Walid](https://apify.com/dltik) (community)
- **Categories:** Business, Lead generation
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 1 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

$10.00 / 1,000 company results

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md):

```bash
npm install apify-client
```

In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md):

```bash
pip install apify-client
```

In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md):

````bash
# MacOS / Linux
curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash
# Windows
irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex
```bash

In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md).

If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).


# README

## 🇩🇪 Germany Company Scraper — Handelsregister Live Search

> ⭐ **Bookmark this actor** — it helps keep it visible on the Apify Store.

Search **German companies live** from the **official commercial register**
(`handelsregister.de`, free to the public since August 2022). Unlike open dumps that
froze in 2019, this returns **fresh** data read from the register at query time:
company name, **register number (HRB/HRA)**, registry court, federal state and status.

### What it does

- **Search by name** (`mode=search`) → matching companies with register number, court,
  federal state and status. Match modes: `all` (contains all words), `min` (any word),
  `exact` (exact name — strict).
- **Lookup by register number** (`mode=lookup`, e.g. `HRB 3868`) → companies with that
  number. A query that looks like a register number is auto-detected as a lookup. German
  register numbers are **per-court**, so a bare number can match several courts — use the
  `court` / `federal_state` field in the output to pick the right one.
- **Batch** → pass a `queries` list to process several in one run.

### Example input

```json
{
  "mode": "search",
  "query": "Volkswagen AG",
  "searchOption": "all",
  "maxResults": 20
}
````

### Output (per company)

| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| `name` | Company name |
| `register_number` | HRB / HRA / VR / GnR number |
| `court` | Registergericht (registry court) |
| `federal_state` | Bundesland |
| `statut` | Normalized status (Active / Radiée / insolvency…) |
| `status_native` | Original register status text |

### Proxy & rate limits

`handelsregister.de` allows ~**60 requests per hour per IP**. This actor routes each
query through **Apify Proxy with a fresh IP**, so batch runs stay within the per-IP
limit. Datacenter IPs are used by default; switch the proxy to **RESIDENTIAL** groups
if datacenter ranges get blocked.

### Source & legality

Data comes from the **official German commercial register** (`handelsregister.de`),
which is free to search by the public. The actor reads only public information and
never bypasses authentication or paywalls. It is an independent tool and is not
affiliated with or endorsed by the register operators.

***

⭐ **If this saved you time, bookmark the actor.**

# Actor input Schema

## `mode` (type: `string`):

search = find companies by name. lookup = fetch by register number (HRB/HRA/VR…). A query that looks like a register number is auto-detected as a lookup.

## `query` (type: `string`):

A company name (mode=search) or a register number like 'HRB 3868' (mode=lookup). Example: 'Volkswagen AG'.

## `queries` (type: `array`):

Several company names to search in one run.

## `searchOption` (type: `string`):

all = contains all words, min = contains any word, exact = exact company name.

## `maxResults` (type: `integer`):

How many companies to return per search.

## `proxyConfig` (type: `object`):

Apify Proxy. The register rate-limits ~60 requests/hour per IP, so a proxy (fresh IP per query) is recommended. Datacenter is tried first; switch to RESIDENTIAL groups if datacenter IPs are blocked.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "mode": "search",
  "query": "Volkswagen AG",
  "queries": [],
  "searchOption": "all",
  "maxResults": 20,
  "proxyConfig": {
    "useApifyProxy": true
  }
}
```

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "query": "Volkswagen AG",
    "proxyConfig": {
        "useApifyProxy": true
    }
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("dltik/germany-companies-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "query": "Volkswagen AG",
    "proxyConfig": { "useApifyProxy": True },
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("dltik/germany-companies-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"])
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "query": "Volkswagen AG",
  "proxyConfig": {
    "useApifyProxy": true
  }
}' |
apify call dltik/germany-companies-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "mcp-remote",
                "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=dltik/germany-companies-scraper",
                "--header",
                "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_API_TOKEN>"
            ]
        }
    }
}

```

## OpenAPI specification

```json
{
    "openapi": "3.0.1",
    "info": {
        "title": "Germany Company Scraper — Handelsregister Live Search",
        "description": "Search German companies live from the official commercial register (handelsregister.de, free since 2022). Get company name, register number (HRB/HRA), court, federal state and status — fresh, not a stale dump. For KYC, B2B prospecting, CRM enrichment.",
        "version": "0.1",
        "x-build-id": "wNjWG8GOoQQywvx7X"
    },
    "servers": [
        {
            "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2"
        }
    ],
    "paths": {
        "/acts/dltik~germany-companies-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-dltik-germany-companies-scraper",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK"
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "/acts/dltik~germany-companies-scraper/runs": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "runs-sync-dltik-germany-companies-scraper",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK",
                        "content": {
                            "application/json": {
                                "schema": {
                                    "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema"
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "/acts/dltik~germany-companies-scraper/run-sync": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "run-sync-dltik-germany-companies-scraper",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK"
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    },
    "components": {
        "schemas": {
            "inputSchema": {
                "type": "object",
                "properties": {
                    "mode": {
                        "title": "Mode",
                        "enum": [
                            "search",
                            "lookup"
                        ],
                        "type": "string",
                        "description": "search = find companies by name. lookup = fetch by register number (HRB/HRA/VR…). A query that looks like a register number is auto-detected as a lookup.",
                        "default": "search"
                    },
                    "query": {
                        "title": "Company name or register number",
                        "type": "string",
                        "description": "A company name (mode=search) or a register number like 'HRB 3868' (mode=lookup). Example: 'Volkswagen AG'."
                    },
                    "queries": {
                        "title": "Batch list",
                        "type": "array",
                        "description": "Several company names to search in one run.",
                        "items": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "default": []
                    },
                    "searchOption": {
                        "title": "Match mode",
                        "enum": [
                            "all",
                            "min",
                            "exact"
                        ],
                        "type": "string",
                        "description": "all = contains all words, min = contains any word, exact = exact company name.",
                        "default": "all"
                    },
                    "maxResults": {
                        "title": "Max companies per query",
                        "minimum": 1,
                        "maximum": 100,
                        "type": "integer",
                        "description": "How many companies to return per search.",
                        "default": 20
                    },
                    "proxyConfig": {
                        "title": "Proxy",
                        "type": "object",
                        "description": "Apify Proxy. The register rate-limits ~60 requests/hour per IP, so a proxy (fresh IP per query) is recommended. Datacenter is tried first; switch to RESIDENTIAL groups if datacenter IPs are blocked.",
                        "default": {
                            "useApifyProxy": true
                        }
                    }
                }
            },
            "runsResponseSchema": {
                "type": "object",
                "properties": {
                    "data": {
                        "type": "object",
                        "properties": {
                            "id": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "actId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "userId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "startedAt": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "format": "date-time",
                                "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
                            },
                            "finishedAt": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "format": "date-time",
                                "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
                            },
                            "status": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "example": "READY"
                            },
                            "meta": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "origin": {
                                        "type": "string",
                                        "example": "API"
                                    },
                                    "userAgent": {
                                        "type": "string"
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "stats": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "inputBodyLen": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 2000
                                    },
                                    "rebootCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "restartCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "resurrectCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "computeUnits": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "options": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "build": {
                                        "type": "string",
                                        "example": "latest"
                                    },
                                    "timeoutSecs": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 300
                                    },
                                    "memoryMbytes": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 1024
                                    },
                                    "diskMbytes": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 2048
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "buildId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultKeyValueStoreId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultDatasetId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultRequestQueueId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "buildNumber": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "example": "1.0.0"
                            },
                            "containerUrl": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "usage": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 1
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_SERPS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "usageTotalUsd": {
                                "type": "number",
                                "example": 0.00005
                            },
                            "usageUsd": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "number",
                                        "example": 0.00005
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_SERPS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
```