Antwort
Thank you for your inquiry and your interest in setting up a business in Germany.
Make it in Germany provides international professionals with information on working and living in Germany.
The Skilled Immigration Act came into force on 1 March 2020. The new law basically expands the possibilities for qualified professionals to come to work in Germany. With the new law, it is easier for skilled workers with vocational, non-academic training from non-EU countries to migrate to Germany in order to work. On our website you will find detailed information on what changed with the Skilled Immigration Act. However, please note that the law does not entail any changes for foreign entrepreneurs. The law is primarily aimed at employees.
As a citizen of Pakistan, in order to set up a business in Germany, you will need a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment (Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung einer selbständigen Tätigkeit).
If you are not yet permanently living in Germany, you need to apply for a visa for the purpose of self-employed occupation at the competent German Mission in your home Country before entering Germany. You can find the corresponding local contact on our “world map”. Please note that the visa applied for must correspond to the actual purpose of your stay. For example, a visa issued for a short stay does not allow for permanent residence. General information on visa processes are available on “Make it in Germany”.
For personal advice regarding visa issues, you can also contact the hotline “Working and Living in Germany”. Please note that the hotline is currently only available by contact form or chat. The telephone service is offline at the moment. Also, due to the corona crisis, the entry to Germany may be restricted. On the website of the Federal Foreign Office, you will find current information concerning any planned trips to Germany.
Generally, there are several criteria which need to be fulfilled in order to set up a business. This depends on whether you work as
- a freelancer (Freiberufler)
- or wish to set up a business as a self-employed entrepreneur (Gewerbe)
Being self-employed or a freelancer makes a difference with regard to certain formalities and has an impact on your company’s legal structure. On our website you will find out more about the two different ways of setting up a business.
To obtain a residence permit, you will need to fulfil a number of general criteria and the following additional requirements, which you should ideally cover convincingly in your business plan:
- There is commercial interest in or regional demand for your products or services.
- Your business activity is likely to have a positive impact on the economy.
- You have secured financing for your business through capital or a loan commitment.
Moreover, while working as a self-employed professional the same conditions apply as for Germans. Please find out about these regulations.
Keep in mind, as you are operating in Germany, a good command of German is important. When preparing to set up your business, you will learn that many official documents are available in German only. If your German is not good enough yet, you should take a language course before you set up your business. Some advanced courses have a focus on business German.
For further Information regarding setting up a business in Germany please visit the Website "Make it in Germany".
We wish you all the best!
Please note that “Make it in Germany” do not issue or support any visa application even if you may be qualified for that. The information presented on Make it in Germany is a general service offering. Only the German missions and the foreigners’ authorities are responsible for the issuance of visa resp. residence permits. For further questions, please contact directly the respective authority.
Reference: Justina Godesberg
Kompetenzfeld Bildung, Zuwanderung und Innovation
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
April 2020
Notice of the editor:
