{"id":12141,"date":"2025-03-04T15:30:50","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T15:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bosporus24.de\/?p=12141"},"modified":"2025-04-29T16:51:30","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T16:51:30","slug":"aufenthaltstitel-fuer-unternehmer-so-funktioniert-das-visum-fuer-selbststaendige","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bosporus24.de\/en\/aufenthaltstitel-fuer-unternehmer-so-funktioniert-das-visum-fuer-selbststaendige\/","title":{"rendered":"Residence permit for entrepreneurs: How the visa for the self-employed works"},"content":{"rendered":"

International entrepreneurs who wish to set up a company in Germany or establish themselves as self-employed persons require a Residence permit for self-employed activity<\/strong>. This title allows you to do business and live permanently in Germany.<\/p>\n

Here you can find out which Prerequisites<\/strong> must be fulfilled, which Documents<\/strong> are necessary and how the Application procedure<\/strong> works.<\/p>\n

1 What residence permits are available for entrepreneurs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Visa for self-employed persons according to \u00a7 21 Residence Act (AufenthG)<\/strong>
There are two main types of residence permit for entrepreneurs:<\/p>\n

a) Residence permit for self-employed persons (Section 21 (1) AufenthG)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

-For founders of companies (e.g. GmbH, UG, sole proprietorship)
-Particularly suitable for investors who are setting up a company in Germany
-Allows permanent residence after 3 years if the company is running successfully<\/p>\n

b) Residence permit for freelancers (Section 21 (5) AufenthG)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

-For freelancers (e.g. consultants, artists, doctors, architects)
-Only applies to certain professions that are not considered commercial activities
-Extension possible if the activity continues to be successful<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong> Anyone who founds a corporation (e.g. GmbH or UG) is subject to the regulation for Self-employed entrepreneurs<\/strong>. Anyone who works as a freelancer requires the Freelancer visa<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

2. requirements for the entrepreneur visa<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In order to obtain a residence permit for self-employed persons, certain Economic and financial criteria<\/strong> be fulfilled.<\/p>\n

Important requirements:<\/strong>
-Viable business concept<\/strong> - The business plan must make economic sense
-Relevance for the German economy<\/strong> - The company must create jobs or promote innovation
-Proof of sufficient financing<\/strong> - Equity or secured financing through loans or investors
-Choice of location in Germany<\/strong> - A business address or a rental agreement for business premises must be available
–<\/span>Tax and legal registration<\/strong> - Registration with the tax office and, if applicable, the commercial register<\/p>\n

Additional conditions for older applicants:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Who over 45 years old<\/strong> is, a Retirement provision<\/strong> in order to be financially secure in the long term.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Tip:<\/strong> Anyone who founds a company in a structurally weak region or invests in innovative sectors has a better chance of obtaining approval.<\/p>\n

    3. which documents are required for the application?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Documents required for the entrepreneur visa:<\/strong>
    Passport<\/strong> (valid for at least 6 months)
    Detailed business plan<\/strong> with market analysis, financial planning and investment plan
    Proof of financing<\/strong> (equity, loan commitment or investor commitments)
    Commercial register entry or business registration<\/strong>
    Proof of health insurance<\/strong> (private or statutory insurance in Germany)
    Curriculum vitae with professional qualifications<\/strong>
    Rental agreement for business premises<\/strong> or confirmation of a co-working space<\/p>\n

    Additional documents for certain industries:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Freelancer:<\/strong> Proof of qualification (e.g. diplomas, licenses)<\/li>\n
    • Investors:<\/strong> Proof of previous business success and origin of capital<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Tip:<\/strong> All documents must be German<\/strong> or with a certified translation<\/strong> be submitted.<\/p>\n

      4. step-by-step: Application for an entrepreneur visa<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      Step 1: Application at the German embassy in your home country<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Entrepreneurs from non-EU countries must apply for the visa before entering Germany<\/strong> at the German embassy or consulate<\/strong> request.<\/li>\n
      • Editing can be up to 3 months<\/strong> last.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Step 2: Entering Germany and registering your business<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • After entering the country, the company must be officially registered (e.g. business registration, entry in the commercial register).<\/li>\n
        • If necessary, a Tax number at the tax office<\/strong> can be applied for.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Step 3: Apply for a residence permit at the immigration office<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Within 90 days of entry, the Residence permit for self-employed persons<\/strong> at the local Immigration office<\/strong> can be applied for.<\/li>\n
          • If all requirements are met, the Residence permit for 1-3 years<\/strong> issued.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Step 4: Extension of the residence permit or settlement permit<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • After 3 years<\/strong> the residence permit can be converted into a Permanent settlement permit<\/strong> be converted if the company Successful<\/strong> and the livelihood is secured.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              5. taxes and obligations for self-employed entrepreneurs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

              Important tax obligations for entrepreneurs:<\/strong>
              – <\/span>Trade tax (for commercial activities)<\/strong> - depending on the location
              – <\/span>Value added tax (VAT)<\/strong> - usually 19 % or reduced 7 % for certain products
              – <\/span>Income tax or corporation tax<\/strong> - depending on the type of company
              – <\/span>Compulsory health insurance<\/strong> - either statutory or private<\/p>\n

              Tip:<\/strong> Anyone who founds a GmbH or UG must register in the Commercial register<\/strong> and register a Tax number at the tax office<\/strong> request.<\/p>\n

              6. alternative opportunities for international entrepreneurs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

              If the classic entrepreneur visa is not an option, there are alternative options:<\/p>\n

              a) EU Blue Card for highly qualified entrepreneurs<\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              • For people with a university degree and a job offer with Minimum salary of \u20ac45,000 per year<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                b) Investor visa for large investors<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • If a Major investment<\/strong> of several million euros into the German economy may, under certain conditions, be subject to a Residence permit as an investor<\/strong> be issued.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  c) Residence permit for digital nomads and freelancers<\/strong><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Germany does not offer a special \"digital nomad\" visa category, but freelancers can apply for a Visa for self-employment<\/strong> apply if they can prove that they German customers have<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    Internationale Unternehmer, die in Deutschland ein Unternehmen gr\u00fcnden oder sich als Selbstst\u00e4ndige niederlassen m\u00f6chten, ben\u00f6tigen einen Aufenthaltstitel f\u00fcr selbstst\u00e4ndige T\u00e4tigkeit. Dieser Titel erlaubt es, in Deutschland gesch\u00e4ftlich t\u00e4tig zu sein […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[174,21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aufenthaltstitel-fuer-unternehmer-so-funktioniert-das-visum-fuer-selbststaendige","category-firmengruendung-investition-in-deutschland"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bosporus24.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bosporus24.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bosporus24.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bosporus24.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bosporus24.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12141"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/bosporus24.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12539,"href":"https:\/\/bosporus24.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12141\/revisions\/12539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bosporus24.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bosporus24.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bosporus24.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}