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Frage

Can I start a business as a European passport holder and receive loans or must I be German born?

Antwort

In general, any entrepreneur who wishes to start a business in Germany may do so, irrespective of nationality or place of residence. There are generally no restrictions or extra requirements put on foreign investors planning to establish a business in Germany. The same legal conditions apply for foreign and local entrepreneurs. Germany favors freedom of foreign trade and payments, as laid down in the Foreign Trade and Payments Act (AWG). For more information, please visit:

• Foreign Businesses in Germany
• Foreign Trade and Payments Act

(http://www.gtai.de/GTAI/Navigation/EN/Invest/Investment-guide/The-legal-framework/foreign-businesses-in-germany.html?view=renderPdf)

Non-EU citizens will have to make sure to have the appropriate type of visa. Generally, visas are obtained in the investor’s home country at a German embassy or consulate. Decisive for the appropriate type of visa are the length and purpose of the stay in Germany. For information on general visa regulations we would like to refer you to the information provided by the Federal Foreign Office (http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/EinreiseUndAufenthalt/Visabestimmungen_node.html). Kindly be advised that a detailed business plan and a concept of how to finance the start-up will be needed. For assistance on putting together a convincing business plan, please refer to the following link: www.existenzgruender.de

With regard to the actual formation procedure, the local Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in the city of your choice is the first point of contact when intending to start up your business in Germany. The IHK will be able to advise you on the required licenses, visa regulations, and so-called welcome packages that are available in the area. For finding the responsible IHK, please click on the respective city on the map: http://www.dihk.de/ihk-finder/ihk-finder-dihk.html

We hope you find this initial information helpful.

Source:
Germany Trade and Invest - Gesellschaft für Außenwirtschaft und Standortmarketing mbH
Headquarters
September 2015
Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Notice from the editor:

• English version of the business start-up portal
  
• Checks and Overviews
• German Federal Central Tax Office: Foreign Investors Help Desk
  
• Municipality administration and local authorities