I'd like to establish and run a company which works in Germany transporting heavy goods (primarily inside Germany or nearby countries). I need to have a business plan and establish the company (any kind of companies such as GmbH..... you suggest and why).
Thank you for your request and your interest in setting up a business in Germany.
If you are a citizen of the European Union you are free to set up a business in Germany.
If you are not a citizen of the European Union and you do not hold a permanent resident permit in Germany, you will need a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment (“Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung einer selbständigen Tätigkeit”). As you are not yet 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. Information on visa process is available on “Make it in Germany”: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/visa
Please note that there a several criteria which need to be fulfilled in order to obtain the residence permit for the purpose of self-employment. This depends on whether you work as a freelancer (“Freiberufler”) or 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 also has an impact in your company’s legal structure. Here you will find out more about the two different ways of setting up a business: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/ways-of-setting-up-your-business. For further questions regarding the visa process please contact the German Mission in your country of residence - especially for questions concerning the required documents. You will find the local contact here: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/visa/local-contacts
There are many ways of setting up your business. You can set up a business by yourself, do it in a team up with others or acquire an existing company. Here you will find first information on the different forms of setting up a business: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/ways-of-setting-up-your-business. Depending on your business idea you may fulfil different requirements (in terms of professional qualifications, personal qualities and language skills): http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/requirements-for-an-own-business#do-i-need-certain-professional-qualifications
Setting up a business plan is very important. It can help you develop a step by step plan for your enterprise. You will also need a business plan if you require a visa before setting up a business in Germany: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/visa. Moreover, your business plan is crucial for convincing someone of your business idea or your plans (banks, for example).
There are different ways to get help with your business plan.
On the world wide web: A startup guide as well as useful information about how to write a business plan you will find on Make it in Germany: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/business-plan-startup-guideline. Online-checklists (http://www.existenzgruender.de/EN/Checklisten-Uebersichten/inhalt.html) to guide you through the business plan step by step are available for download on the Startup Portal.
In Germany: There are many public information centres which will advise you as you set up your own business. On Make it in Germany you we will find an overview of advisory services and further training opportunities: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/advisory-services-and-further-training
Step by step information regarding setting up a business in Germany is available on the website "Make it in Germany": http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-Germany
We wish you all the best.
Source: Justina Alichniewicz
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
