Navigation

Frage

I am an Indian, speaking Arabic and English and I want to set up a 100% export-oriented company in Germany to export in Germany made products. I have 20 years of experience of international commerce. What is to do and who is to contact?

Antwort

Thank you for your inquiry and your interest in setting up a business in Germany.
In order to set up a business in Germany, you will need a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment (“Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung einer selbständigen Tätigkeit”). If 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.

The German mission abroad will send your visa application to the foreigners’ authority (“Ausländerbehörde”) at your future place of residence in Germany. Please note that this process normally takes two to four months.

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

You normally have to pay a fee when you apply for a visa / a residence permit. The fee amount depends on your location, the duration and the purpose of your stay.
A residence permit will cost you a maximum of 140 Euro, as a rule, the fee for visas is 60 Euro. Please ask your competent foreigners’ authority or mission about the fees you need to expect.

In Germany, 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.

As you are operating in Germany, a good knowledge of German is also 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 can 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

To get to know more: 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

Source
Justina Alichniewicz
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Februar 2017

Tips from the editor:

• BMWi-Business start-up portal: English version
• Germany Trade & Invest: Investment Guide to Germany
• German Federal Central Tax Office: Foreign Investors Help Desk