I am a student from India doing my bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering in Germany. I have an idea to start small business for recycling technical textiles (does not require much financing). While being on a student visa - can I do this? I will finish my course next year.
www.make-it-in-germany.com provides international professionals with information on working and living in Germany. Detailed information on studying (http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/training-learning/study) or setting up a business (http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/working/setting-up-a-business-in-germany/visa-for-self-employment) are also available on “Make it in Germany”.
Before starting your own business, you should clear up if your residence status enables you to establish such an activity. Since you are a foreign student in Germany, you are holding a residence permit for the purpose of studying according to §16 Residence Act. If it is so, you are allowed to work 120 full or 240 half days during the year without the need for approval by the competent authority, the Federal Employment Agency (http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/training-learning/study/five-steps-to-studying-in-germany/settling-in).
Taking up a self-employed activity while studying in Germany is also possible under the Residence Act (§ 21 (6) Aufenthaltsgesetz). However, the foreigner’s authority (Ausländerbehörde) must authorize the self-employed activity separately. The work must not hinder the success of the study. It should therefore be within the time limits for a dependent employment (this means 120 full or 240 half days). If you want to start a full-time self-employed activity, you will hardly get an approval. (Source: BMI, BAMF, DAAD) [https://www.uni-bonn.de/studium/studium-in-bonn-fuer-internationale-studierende/betreuung-auslaendischer-studierender/pdf.dateien/arbeitsmoeglichkeiten-fuer-ausl.-stud.-2012]
For personal advice, you can also contact the hotline “Working and Living in Germany” under the telephone number +49 30 1815 – 1111 (http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/about-the-portal/contact/hotline).
Source: Justina Alichniewicz
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Oktober 2017
