Residence permit to take up a self-employed activity (entrepreneur, trader)
General information
Residence and work permits for third-country nationals
Third-party nationals from countries that are not members of the European Union usually require a residence permit to carry out a self-employed activity in Germany with the relevant work permit.
If a self-employed person is not already living in Germany with a residence permit, the issue of the residence permit is usually preceded by the entry to Germany on a corresponding visa which should be applied for from the relevant German diplomatic mission in the country of origin.
Nationals from the following countries can apply for the residence and work permit (without prior visa procedure) and before taking up the self-employment or freelance work, directly in Germany:
- Australia
- Israel
- Japan
- Canada
- South Korea
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom of Great Britain an Northern Ireland
- United States of America (USA)
Residence permit for self-employed activity
A residence permit to carry out self-employed activity can be issued for:
- Company founders
- Sole traders and
- Businessmen and legal representatives of business partnerships and stock corporations, if they hold corporate responsibility.
The prerequisite here is that:
- there is economic interest or a regional need
- the activity is expected to have positive effects on the economy
- the financing of the implementation through own capital or a credit commitment is assured
The checking of the prerequisites takes place with the involvement of expert authorities such as the IHK Leipzig.
Legal basis
§ 21 Section 1 Residence Act
Documents/forms to be submitted
You can submit this application completely online. If you are not able to use the online application, please use the "Residence permit application/Application for renewal of a temporary residence permit" (PDF 227 KB) and submit the documents by mail.
- Valid passport (copy)
- Entry visa, if available (copy)
- CV including proof of qualifications, list of occupational activities up to now, references (copy)
- Partnership agreement (copy)
- Business plan (including turnover and preview of returns, financing, investment and personnel plan)
- Proof of capital - own and/or loan capital (copy)
- Proof of existing business connections (copy)
- Rent contracts for business premises (copy)
- Excerpt from the commercial register, if available (but at least the registration on the commercial register via a notary) (copy)
- Business registration (if no entry in the commercial register is necessary) (copy)
- Copy of managing director employment contract
- Proof of ability to secure living costs - wage/pay slips for the last three months where available (copy)
- Proof of current health insurance coverage
- in the case of statutory health insurance: informal letter from the health insurance company
- in the case of private health insurance: Certificate of insurance (see below)
- Proof of a pension plan, from the age of 45 years (copy)
- Current (sub)rental contract including proof of monthly rent costs (current bank statement) or costs of the property you are living in (copy)
Deadlines/ processing time
After the documents have been submitted in full, the processing is usually complete within three months. The duration of the procedure is dependent in part on the participation of specialist organisations.
Process and procedure
Please submit your application and related documents via online application. You will be invited to collect your biometric data after a decision has been made on your application. After the decision about your application, you will be invited to have your biometric data recorded.
Costs and fees
93 euros to 113 euros
Payment possibilities:
- Paying by cash
- Paying by EC card
Paying by credit card is possible.
Special requirements
Exceptions for graduations of German higher education institutions, researchers and scientists
There is a different assessment criteria for foreigners who
- have successfully completed a study course in Germany at a state, state-recognised or comparable educational institution or
- work as researchers or scientists in Germany and have a residence permit.
The intended self-employed activity must have an identifiable connection to the knowledge acquired in the study course or the activity as researcher or scientist.
Health insurance protection
It must cover all risks and include the following services according to German statutory health insurance: medical and dental treatment, provision of medicaments, surgical dressings, medical aids, hospital treatment, medical services for rehabilitation as well as services during pregnancy and birth (women only).