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Frage

I am working as a "Mitarbeiter" in a hospital in Germany. I want to start part time online business “Kleinunternehmen”. I will expect a maximum of 100 - 300 Euro / monthly turn over. Because I have to test it, whether I can do it or not. Selling electronics (speakers, headsets etc.) online like on ebay, facebook etc. Because of the market competition, I don’t know about my sales.

Questions:

1. Will I be allowed to do this online along with my job, although on my visa is entitled to work in the hospital?
2. I want to keep my insurance as it is, which is paid by employer? I don’t want any troubles because I don’t know the output of my business. Is it possible?
3. I already bought some articles as private person, I paid custom duty and tax. What is the first step, to make it legalize before I start reselling?
4. Do I have to apply for that to get permission to start with? Do you offer any legal support for application for permission etc.?

Antwort

www.make-it-in-germany.com provides international professionals with information on working and living in Germany. Detailed information on setting up a business are also available on “Make it in Germany”.

To figure out if you are eligible to start a business in Germany you should first of all clarify, if your current residence status enables you to establish such an activity. Therefore, we strongly recommend you to contact your Foreigner’s authority (“Ausländerbehörde”). Here you can find the corresponding contact information.

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.

Keep in mind, as you are operating in Germany, a good knowledge of German is important. Even as you prepare your business, you will find that many official documents are available in German only. If your German is not 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.

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
Kompetenzfeld Bildung, Zuwanderung und Innovation
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Dezember 2018

Note from the editor:

• BMWi-Existenzgründungsportal: English version
  
• IQ Fachstelle Migrantenökonomie: Businessplan-Workbooks in different languages