Navigation

Hinweis: Der BMWE-Infopool wird nicht mehr aktualisiert. Bitte beachten Sie, dass Fragen und Antworten aus den zurückliegenden Jahren gespeichert werden und sich rechtliche Voraussetzungen inzwischen geändert haben können. Den Zeitpunkt der Beantwortung einer Frage finden Sie am Ende eines Textblocks. Für Richtigkeit, Aktualität und Vollständigkeit der Inhalte übernimmt das BMWE keine Verantwortung. Die enthaltenen Informationen sind kein Ersatz für eine persönliche und individuelle Existenzgründungs-, Steuer- und/oder Rechtsberatung. Wir bieten Ihnen ausschließlich eine erste Orientierung, welche Aspekte im Falle einer Existenzgründung zu beachten sind.

Frage

I am a freelance independent consultant in the area of international development. I recently moved my residence to Germany following my German wife, who works here. I would kindly ask, what are the requirements of establishing a small personal consulting firm in order to be able to be contracted by German public and private entities.

Antwort

Thank you for your inquiry and your interest in setting up a business in Germany. As you are accompanying your wife to Germany (a German citizen) you are entitled an unrestricted right to take up an employment. This means that you have full labour market access.

In Germany there are two ways of setting up a business: you can either work as a freelancer (“Freiberufler”) (www.make-it-in-germany.com) or set up a business as a self-employed entrepreneur (“Gewerbe”) (www.make-it-in-germany.com). Being self-employed or a freelancer makes a difference with regard to certain formalities and also has an impact in your company’s legal structure. Your local tax office will decide whether your profession is considered “freiberuflich” or “gewerblich”, once you register your business at the latest four weeks after you started your activities. Here you will find out more about the two different ways of setting up a business: www.make-it-in-germany.com

More step by step information regarding setting up a business in Germany are available on the website "Make it in Germany": www.make-it-in-germany.com

Besides, there are many public information centres which will advise you as you set up your own business. On the Startup Portal, under “advice and information”, you will find the contact information of regional and national information centres for entrepreneurs with a migrant background (www.existenzgruender.de). A general contact list is available on the Startup Portal (www.existenzgruender.de). Similarly, the Authority Finder will also tell you about your nearest information centre: www.existenzgruender.de

Keep in mind, that for setting up your own business, a ground knowledge of German is very important. Even as you prepare your business, you will find that many official documents are available in German only. If your German isn’t good enough yet, you should make sure to take a language course before you set up your business. Some advanced courses have a special focus on the business world: www.make-it-in-germany.com

We hope you will find the information on “Make it in Germany” helpful.
We wish you all the best.

Source: Justina Alichniewicz
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
September 2016

Notice from the editor:

• 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 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.
• English version of the business start-up portal