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I have worked for more than ten years (full-time) in IT fields in academia, startups, corporate. I am based in Germany since six years. What is the optimum way to shift from full-time to entrepreneur (having my own company). What are the resources, that can support me and what is the optimum way?

Antwort

Please note the following information regarding your residential status, if you do not have an indefinite residence title ("settlement permit”) in Germany:

• If you are a citizen of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, you are generally free to start up your own business in Germany.
• If you are a citizen of another state, in order to set up a business in Germany, you will usually need a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment (“Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung einer selbständigen Tätigkeit”). Therefore, you will need to clarify if your current residence status enables you to start a business in Germany. We recommend you to contact your foreigners’ authority (“Ausländerbehörde”). For a first personal advice according your residence status you may also contact the “Hotline Working and Living in Germany” - under the telephone number +49 30 1815 – 1111. The service is provided in German and English and is free of charge.

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. A general contact list is available on the Startup Portal. Similarly, the Authority Finder will also tell you about your nearest information centre.

For further Information regarding setting up a business in Germany, please visit the Website "Make it in Germany".

We wish you all the best for your future plans.

* Please note:
The information presented here 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.

Source: Justina Alichniewicz
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Internet: www.make-it-in-germany.com
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
März 2019

Tipps der Redaktion:

• BMWi-Existenzgründungsportal: English version