Self-employment and freelance visa (Germany)

Germany has two residence permits for people who work for themselves. Which one applies depends on what you will do.

Setting up a business, for example a shop, an agency, a company with staff or a product, falls under Section 21(1) of the Residence Act. Working as a freelancer in a liberal profession falls under Section 21(5). The official portal says self-employment also includes all liberal professions, but it does not define which professions count, so ask your authority if you are unsure where you fit.

The official Make it in Germany page sets out these conditions for a business permit:

• There must be an economic interest in, or a regional demand for, your product or service.
• Your business is expected to have a positive effect on the economy.
• You can finance your business concept with your own capital or through a loan commitment.
• If you are over 45, you can prove adequate old-age pension provision.

The authorities decide whether your business meets the economic interest and positive effect tests, so you should be ready to explain your idea, your market and where the money will come from. The portal does not list a business plan as a formal requirement, but a clear plan is the natural way to show these points.

For a freelance permit, the portal lists these conditions:

• You must show that you have enough funds for your projects.
• You must have any licences needed to do the job in question.
• If you are over 45, you must prove adequate old-age pension provision.

Freelancers should collect evidence that they have clients or concrete project opportunities, and any professional licence the work requires. The portal does not say what evidence the authority will accept, so confirm this with the authority responsible for your application.

The visa or residence permit is initially issued for up to three years. It can be extended if the business succeeds and you can cover living costs for yourself and your family.

For people who start their own company, applying for a settlement permit after three years is an option, according to the official portal. A settlement permit is a permanent residence permit.

The portal does not list the application steps on this page. It refers readers to its general visa application section and to a downloadable graphic. The Federal Foreign Office offers online applications for many purposes through its Consular Services Portal, where you create an account, upload documents and book an appointment at the German embassy. If your purpose is not available online at your embassy, you can apply on paper by booking an appointment.

The national visa fee is 75 euros, and the Federal Foreign Office warns that national visas may take several months to process. Start early, and ask the embassy for the document list for your purpose of stay before you pay for anything.

If you plan to build a company but have not yet decided to commit, the Opportunity Card is worth a look. It lets you come to Germany for up to a year to search for work, and the official portal says that when you decide to become self-employed you can apply to your local foreigners authority for the right residence permit. Our guide on the Opportunity Card explains the points system.

If you already have a clear business idea and funding, the self-employment permit lets you plan around three years of residence from the start. If you would be better off employed, for example in a skilled job at a company, look at the EU Blue Card or the work visa for qualified professionals.

The residence permit lets you live and work in Germany for your business, but you must also register and set up the business itself. The Make it in Germany portal has a starting a business section that covers the next steps. If you want help choosing a legal form, opening a business bank account or handling the filings, a verified provider can do it for you. You can find them in our provider directory.