Can I become self-employed?

Yes. If you want to enter Germany from a so-called ‘third country’ to become self-employed here, you need a visa in accordance with Section 21 of the Residence Act. You can find out more about it on our page on ‘Visas for self-employment’.

You can find a detailed description of the visa and entry process at ‘Wir gründen in Deutschland’. The website is multilingual.

 In order to be allowed to work on a self-employed basis, your residence permit must expressly state ‘employment permitted’ or ‘self-employment permitted’ (i.e. „Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet“ or „selbstständige Tätigkeit gestattet“). If you are recognised as an ‘asylum seeker’, “refugee” or ‘subsidiary protection beneficiary’, this information is usually stated on a green supplementary sheet that you receive from the Immigration Office together with your residence permit. If you are eligible, you must change your residence permit to self-employment in accordance with Section 21 of the Residence Act. You can find more information in the section ‘Can I switch to a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment?’.

If your residence permit does not allow self-employment, you can apply to the Immigration Office for a residence permit in accordance with Section 21 (6) of the Residence Act under certain conditions. 

Yes, if you already have a residence permit that allows you to work on a self-employed basis. You must submit the application to change your residence permit to your local Immigration Office. For a trade, there is the residence permit under Section 21 (1) of the Residence Act, and for a ‘liberal profession’, there is the residence permit under Section 21 (5) of the Residence Act. Check which requirements you must meet for the new residence permit. You can find more information in the sections 

●    “Applying for a residence permit for trade-based self-employment: What do I need to consider?” and 

●    “Applying for a residence permit for freelance self-employment: What do I need to consider?” 

Detailed information on changing your residence permit in accordance with Section 21 of the Residence Act can be found at “Wir gründen in Deutschland”. Select your current residence permit and find out whether and how you can switch to a residence permit for self-employment. The website is multilingual.

The better you can show the Immigration Office that your business idea will be successful, the higher the chances of your application being approved. This requires a business plan with a market analysis. This is usually reviewed by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce or the Chamber of Crafts.

The exact form of evidence is determined by the Immigration Office. There are no uniform requirements nationwide.

An application can only be approved if the following conditions are met:

1. There is an economic interest or regional need for your business,

2. the activity is likely to have a positive impact on the economy,

3. and the financing of your business idea is secured.

If you are over 45 years of age, you must also provide evidence of sufficient pension provision.

Good to know: Requirements 1-3 do not have to be met if you 

●    have a German university degree

or

●    have a residence permit as a researcher or scientist in accordance with Sections 18b, 18d, 19c (1) of the Residence Act

or

● an EU Blue Card.

 However, your self-employment must be related to your university degree.

To apply for a residence permit for freelance self-employment, you do not need to provide the same evidence as for a trade. However, you must:

●    secure financing for your business idea,

●    demonstrate sufficient pension provision if you are over 45 years of age,

●    and submit a business plan that outlines the chances of success of your business idea.

A university degree is required for many ‘liberal professions’. In some professions, however, proof of qualifications through self-study (without a formal degree) is sufficient. For more information, see the section ‘Does my profession have to be recognised and do I need certain qualifications?’.

You will also need a permit (‘professional licence’) or approval to practise your profession from the relevant authority (e.g. for doctors, lawyers, architects). 

You should also find out whether your profession is recognised in Germany and whether you have all the necessary qualifications to practise your profession in Germany. You can find more information on our topic page “Recognition of foreign qualifications”.

That depends on the profession in which you want to become self-employed. A distinction is made between “unrestricted” and “restricted” professions ("zulassungsfrei" vs "zulassungsbeschränkt"). For many professions, your qualifications will be checked and must be recognised. This applies in particular to highly qualified professions, such as lawyers and doctors, as well as to skilled trades. In the profession encyclopaedia of ‘Wir gründen in Deutschland’, you can see which qualifications and requirements are necessary for the profession and whether you need recognition of your profession. 

You may have to obtain certain qualifications, such as a master craftsman's certificate in a skilled trade.

There are also exceptions to the requirements and qualifications. Further information is available at ‘Wir gründen in Deutschland”. The website is multilingual.

Yes, skilled workers can apply for a so-called ‘start-up grant’ (“Gründerstipendium”) and then obtain a residence permit in accordance with Section 21 (2b) of the Residence Act if they have:

●    a scholarship from a German business organisation 

or 

●    a German public position from public funds. 

The scholarship is intended to help you prepare to start a business and to cover your living expenses. The residence permit is valid for as long as the scholarship lasts, up to a maximum of 18 months. 

Additional financial support is also available, e.g. from the Jobcenter or the Employment Agency. It is also possible to take out a loan. You can find out more on the respective topic pages ‘Freelance self-employment’ and Trade-based self-employment’.

Your first point of contact is ‘Wir gründen in Deutschland’ (Starting a business in Germany). This multilingual website is specifically for migrants who want to become self-employed in Germany. Here you will find lots of helpful information in more than 10 languages. There is also an advice network where you can find free advice centres in your federal state.

At gruenderplattform.de, you will find lots of information, offers and ideas for your self-employment. The website is in German.

Offers for women who want to become self-employed can be found here, among other places:

●    At the nationwide Gründerinnenagentur (bga), you will find event tips, advice centres and support services in your area.

●    Subsidised start-up programme ‘CoCo - Frauen gründen’ (CoCo - Women Start Up) by Social Business Women e. V.

●    List of support services for women from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

●    You can also search online for services in your area. For example, enter ‘Frauen gründen’ (women starting businesses) and your federal state in the search field.