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Frage

I am looking potentially to open a fitness franchise company in Germany to help with health and well-being in different communities. I would like to know more about the depth of requirements for doing this.

Antwort

Thank you for your inquiry and your interest in setting up a business in Germany.
If you are a non-EU citizen, in order to set up your own business you need a residence permit allowing you to exercise a self-employed activity (“selbständige Tätigkeit”). You can apply for this at the competent German Mission in your current country of residence. You will find the local contact here: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/visa/local-contacts. More 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: If you are a citizen of the European Union you are free to set up a business in Germany.

In Germany there are two ways of setting up a business: you can either work as a freelancer/independent profession (“Freiberufler”) or set up a business as a self-employed entrepreneur (“Gewerbe”). Being self-employed or independent makes a difference with regard to certain formalities and also has an impact in your company’s legal structure.

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” (http://www.existenzgruender.de/EN/Die-ersten-Schritte/Beratung-Information/inhalt.html), you will find the contact information of regional and national information centres for entrepreneurs with a migrant background (https://www.existenzgruender.de/DE/Service/Beratung-Adressen/Linksammlung/Gruender-innen-Migrationshintergrund/inhalt.html). 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). You can find out more about the opportunities offered by franchising on the Startup Portal and the German Franchise Association (http://www.franchiseverband.com/aktuelles-erfahren/).

Keep in mind, as you are operating in Germany, a good knowledge of German never hurts. 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: http://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/training-learning/the-german-language

We wish you all the best.

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: Aiste Schiwy
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Mai 2017

Tips from the editor:

• BMWi-Existenzgründungsportal: English version
• BMWi-Existenzgründungsportal: Formalities and public authorities
• Germany Trade & Invest: „Investor's Basics: Setting Up Business in Germany“
• German Federal Central Tax Office: Foreign Investors Help Desk