Prokura
A Prokura is a broad statutory commercial power of attorney under German law; the holder (a Prokurist) may sign for the company in almost all business matters and is entered in the commercial register.
Prokura is granted by the company's owner or management and gives the Prokurist authority to conduct virtually all transactions a business ordinarily carries out - signing contracts, hiring, and so on - except a few reserved acts such as selling real estate or the business itself without special authority. A Prokurist typically signs adding "ppa." before their name. There is no exact US equivalent; it is broader and more formal than a typical signing authority.
Related providers: Legal & Notary
See also: Geschäftsführer (managing director)
Frequently asked questions
- What does "ppa." before a signature mean?
- "ppa." (per procura autoritate) marks the signer as a Prokurist signing under Prokura on behalf of the company - a signal that they hold broad statutory signing authority.
- Is a Prokurist the same as a managing director?
- No. A Geschäftsführer is the company's legal representative organ; a Prokurist holds a delegated commercial power of attorney. A person can be both, but the roles are distinct.