- The pursuit of freelance activity in Germany is recognized as an immigration reason by the German missions abroad.
- If you are interested in this option, you can apply for a freelance visa for Germany at the German embassy in your home country.
- If you are already in Germany, you can apply for a residence permit for freelancers at the responsible immigration office.
- A German freelance visa requires proof of qualification, a viable business idea, health insurance, and sufficient funds to finance living expenses.
- However, the German authorities define rather strict criteria for being classified as freelancers. If you do not meet them, you can alternatively apply for a visa to pursue commercial self-employment in Germany.
Freelancing in Germany
Freelance employment is an attractive alternative to traditional employment, particularly for university graduates and professionals already in the workforce. It offers the advantage of low start-up costs compared to commercial self-employment.
To be recognized as a freelancer in Germany, you must be self-employed in a medical, scientific, educational, artistic, or scientific profession. According to the German Income Tax Act, physiotherapists, alternative practitioners, midwives, journalists, authors and translators, auditors, tax consultants, and business consultants can also work as freelancers.
The tax office determines whether self-employment is considered freelance work. Professions such as doctors, lawyers, architects, journalists, artists, and authors, known as the ‘liberal professions’, usually face no difficulties. However, IT experts and several other professionals may not always be recognized as freelancers. In such cases, setting up a commercial start-up is a viable alternative for obtaining a German visa and residence permit.
If you want to work as a freelancer in Germany, you must register with the tax office at your residence. There are no more formalities associated with starting a freelance business.
Freelancers in Germany are exempt from registering a business and paying business tax. They only pay income tax, prove their income with cash-basis accounting, and can employ staff.
Some freelancers require a state license or admission by a professional chamber to practice their profession.
In addition to professional licenses, freelancers who have completed their studies abroad also need to know whether their professional qualifications will be recognized in Germany. The German government provides information about qualification and degree recognition at this link.
Starting as a freelancer when you are already in Germany
If you are already in Germany, you can apply for a freelance resident permit at the immigration office in your area.
This option is available to you if you already have a German residence permit, for example, through your studies or employment in Germany. You can then convert your existing residence permit accordingly.
Third-country nationals who do not require a visa to enter Germany and the Schengen area can also take advantage of this option. They can stay in Germany for a maximum of 90 days without a visa or residence permit. Subsequently, they will need a residence permit as a freelancer.
Third-country nationals are all citizens who do not have the citizenship of an EU country or one of the four non-EU countries in the Schengen area (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland). They can sometimes enter Germany without a visa, but in most cases, they require a Schengen visa. For stays of more than 90 days, they will need a German residence permit.
General requirements for freelancing in Germany
You can get a German residence permit as a freelancer if you meet the following general requirements:
- Proof of financing your freelance project
- Securing your living expenses
- If necessary: professional license for your freelance work
- If you are older than 45 years: Proof of sufficient retirement provision (public pension rights or private pension)
Further requirements for transitioning to freelance work
To obtain a permit to work as a freelancer in Germany, you must meet certain additional requirements, depending on your professional and visa status:
- You have a degree from a recognized educational institution or a foreign one recognized in Germany. Your occupation directly matches this qualification.
- You are already working as a researcher or scientist in Germany.
- You entered Germany on a German artist visa.
- You have a German visa that was issued for another reason, and you are seeking to work as a freelancer in Germany and meet the criteria for doing so.
Freelance visa for Germany
If you currently live abroad, require a visa to enter the Schengen area, and want to work as a freelancer in Germany, you need a German freelance visa. It is a German national visa for long-term stays valid for 90 days after entry. During this time, you must apply for a residence permit.
If you enter Germany with a short-term Schengen visa (C visa), you cannot get a residence permit but must leave Germany and the Schengen area after a maximum of 90 days. You generally require a national visa if you come to Germany to work as a freelancer.
Visa application process
To apply for a freelance visa, you need to visit the German Embassy or a German consulate in your home country or your country of residence. The processing time for the visa can take up to 3 months.
To apply for your visa, you schedule a personal appointment at the embassy, where you submit the required documents and complete a visa interview.
Required documents for a freelance visa
The following documents are required for the visa application:
- Valid passport and photocopies of the data pages
- 2 current biometric passport photos
- Completed application form for a national visa (usually available for download on the websites of the German missions)
- Letter of motivation: explaining why you want to work as a freelancer in Germany, information about your business idea and your professional plans
- Complete and up-to-date CV
- Proof of health insurance recognized in Germany
- Proof of sufficient financial resources for your living and business expenses
- Proof of your professional qualifications
- References: Recommendations from previous employers and clients, project references, work samples
- Freelance business concept, including financial forecasts
- If required for your profession: Professional license for your freelance work or the promise of a permit
- Proof of accommodation in Germany: rental contract or confirmation of accommodation (temporary accommodation is sufficient for the visa application)
- If you are older than 45: adequate plan pension plan
- Proof of payment of the €75 visa fee — you typically pay this fee directly at the embassy and enclose the receipt with your visa documents.
Proof of German language skills is not required for a freelance visa. Nevertheless, it is advantageous if you already have a basic knowledge of German.
Proof of financial resources
You can provide proof of financial resources for your visa application in several ways, including:
- Proof of financial means through bank statements or proof of income
- Declaration of commitment from a German sponsor (private individuals, companies, public institutions)
- Blocked bank account with a deposit for the first year, from which you receive monthly payments to a German checking account
You can open a blocked bank account quickly and easily with specialized online providers such as Expatrio, Fintiba, or Coracle. The minimum deposit for visa applicants who do not want to apply for a student visa is currently €12,324 per year, and the monthly payout is €1,027.
First steps in Germany
You have received your freelance visa and arrived in Germany. In the first few weeks, you will have to take care of the following:
- Register at the residents’ registration office. Your landlord will provide you with a certificate of tenancy for this purpose. If you move later, you will need to re-register.
- Open a German current account.
- Register your self-employment with the tax office. Subsequently, you will receive a German tax number, which you will need to issue customer invoices and handle all tax matters.
- Take out long-term German health insurance.
- Apply for your residence permit for freelancers. You will need the same documents as for the visa application, a current registration certificate, rental contract, and proof of German statutory or private health insurance.
Conclusion
Obtaining a freelance visa for Germany provides a pathway for skilled professionals from third countries to establish themselves as freelancers in Germany. While the process involves meeting strict requirements such as proof of financial stability, professional qualifications, and, in some cases, obtaining professional licenses, it is an excellent opportunity for individuals in recognized freelance professions.
A German freelance visa also allows for potential long-term residence, with the option of securing permanent residency after several years. With clear planning, complete documentation, and an understanding of German bureaucratic processes, freelancers can navigate the application process and start their careers successfully in Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
The decision on this is on behalf of the immigration authorities. A freelance residence permit can be issued for up to 3 years and renewed afterward. After 5 years, you can receive a permanent right of residence (settlement permit). It is possible to obtain a settlement permit after 3 years if you decide to convert your freelance work into commercial or industrial self-employment and set up a company for that purpose.
EU citizens and citizens of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Norway enjoy freedom of movement and settlement in the European Union and the Schengen area. You must register at the residents’ registration office, report your self-employment to the tax office, and obtain a professional license if required.
Without proof of health insurance, you cannot get a visa for Germany or the Schengen area. For the visa application, temporary travel health insurance from a German or European provider with coverage of at least €30,000 is sufficient. The policy must cover emergency medical treatment, medically necessary return transportation to the home country, and repatriation in the event of death. However, as soon as you apply for your residence permit, you will need full German health insurance. As a freelancer, you can choose between public health insurance and a private policy.
Alternatively, you can purchase private health insurance before entering Germany and use it for your visa application. Online insurers such as Ottonova, Getsafe, or Feather offer freelancers affordable and comprehensive health insurance policies.
