Do you want to live in Germany and work for yourself? It's easy! The country offers a German freelancer visa, which is equivalent to a temporary residence permit. Find out more about the benefits and procedure for obtaining a freelance visa in Germany

Freelance work is becoming more and more popular every year. Employees in various fields choose this type of employment, which allows them to gain freedom of movement and independence in their work. 

Many countries have developed procedures for obtaining visas and residence permits for freelancers. In recent years, in order to provide a financial breakthrough and independence to outstanding and creative individuals, Germany has also begun to issue visas for the self-employed, which allow them to live and work in the country.

One of the legalization options for expats wishing to reside legally in Germany is to obtain a freelancer visa. In this article, you will find all the important information about the features, benefits, and peculiarities of applying for a freelancer visa Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur freiberuflichen oder selbständigen Tätigkeit in Germany. Citizens of the USA, Great Britain, India, Turkey and Canada submit most applications for a freelancer visa in Germany.

You can learn more about the peculiarities and conditions for obtaining a Chancenkarte visa in Germany here.

What is a freelancer visa in Germany?

A freelancer visa in Germany, known as Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur freiberuflichen oder selbständigen Tätigkeit, allows foreign nationals to engage in freelance or self-employed activities in the country. This is a temporary residence permit that is relevant for Ukrainian refugees seeking legal ways to reside in Germany.

The main feature of this visa is that it is designed for persons who plan to engage in independent professional activities rather than work under an employment contract with an employer. The key aspect is the need to prove your professional qualifications and the availability of potential clients or contracts for work in Germany.

There are two main types of visas for self-employed persons in Germany:

1. Selbständiger - for entrepreneurs, managers or founders of companies;

2. Freiberufler - for representatives of "free professions", such as IT specialists, engineers, artists, architects, language teachers, writers, doctors, translators, auditors and other professionals.

Entrepreneurs wishing to obtain this visa must provide evidence that their business or activity will have a positive economic impact on Germany. This includes a business plan, financial projections, and proof of sufficient resources to support their activities.

Benefits of a freelancer visa in Germany

A freelancer visa in Germany is an excellent tool for legalizing further stay and employment in the country. It allows you to work legally for a period of 1 to 3 years, using your professional skills and experience. This compares favorably with the Blue Card, as the freelancer visa is available not only for representatives of the IT sector, but also for employees of many other professions.

This visa allows you to conduct independent activities in various fields, from media to art and education, and has no clear earnings requirements. The general list of eligible fields set out in EstG §18 includes various professions. In addition, it allows freelancers to set their own working hours and choose the projects they wish to work on.

Obtaining a freelancer visa creates broad prospects for self-employment and developing your own business in Germany. It opens up access to the German labor market, which is known for its high demand for qualified specialists in various fields. Freelancers can cooperate with German and international companies, which contributes to new career opportunities and professional growth.

This visa is especially attractive for those who want to develop their career in one of the most powerful economic centers of Europe, where the demand for highly qualified specialists is consistently high.

Conditions for obtaining a freelancer visa in Germany

To obtain a freelancer visa in Germany, you must meet a number of requirements. First of all, you need to have clients in Germany who are ready to confirm their cooperation with you by writing a letter of interest and intent regarding your employment. It is important to prove that your activities will have a positive impact on the economy or culture of the country or region.

In addition, you need to provide a bank statement confirming that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses in Germany. You will also need a business plan for future earnings and sources of funding for your idea.

It is important to have qualifications, experience, and skills that can be confirmed by documents. If your profession requires a work permit, you need to provide proof of this permit (e.g., a diploma validated in Germany).

One of the requirements is proof of residence in Germany. There are no age restrictions for obtaining a freelancer visa, but persons over 45 years of age need to provide proof of pension provision.

When applying for a visa, it is important to clearly indicate a specific field of activity, as a business permit will be granted only in the chosen area.

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For safe relocation to any country in the world, obtaining citizenship and employment, take the advice of an international lawyer. We help to solve complex and simple issues for your comfort and safety in any part of the world. 

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Documents required to obtain a freelancer visa in Germany

To apply for a German freelancer visa, you need to prepare a package of documents that includes several important items. Among them:

1. A valid foreign passport;

2. A completed national visa application form;

3. Resume (CV) with a motivation letter;

4. Diploma of education;

5. Portfolio with previous achievements;

6. Letters of recommendation from previous employers;

7. At least two commitment letters from potential clients or employers;

8. Business plan for freelance activities;

9. A document from the bank confirming the availability of sufficient funds for maintenance.

In addition, you will need health insurance in Germany, three high-quality photos measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm, as well as a pension plan for people over 45 years old. It is important that all documents are translated into German and certified, for example, by a sworn translator in Germany.

The list of documents may vary slightly depending on your specific situation, so it is best to contact the German Embassy or the Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde) for more information.

The procedure for obtaining a freelance visa in Germany

The procedure for obtaining a freelance visa in Germany consists of two main stages:

1.Obtaining a national type D visa. The first step is to contact the German embassy in your country and apply for a type D national visa for freelancers. This visa allows you to enter Germany and is valid for several months, which allows you to start the process of applying for a residence permit;

2. Actions upon arrival in Germany:

- Find a place to live and sign a lease: After arriving in Germany, you need to find a place to live and sign a lease.

- Register your place of residence at the local Bürgeramt: All German residents are required to register their place of residence at the city registration office (Bürgeramt).

- Register with the tax office (Finanzamt): To run a business or freelance activity, you need to register with the tax office.

- Open a bank account: A bank account with a German bank is a prerequisite for many administrative procedures.

- Purchase health insurance: health insurance in Germany is compulsory for all residents. You can purchase an extended health insurance policy from trusted insurance agents on the Visit World portal here; 

- Apply for a residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde: after completing all the previous steps, you need to apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde).

These steps are mandatory for legalizing your stay and work in Germany as a freelancer.

Read about the advantages and disadvantages of living in Germany here. The procedure for obtaining a residence permit in Germany is as follows.

We remind you! In early 2024, the German Parliament adopted a new law on citizenship, which greatly simplifies the naturalization procedure in the country. The document has recently entered into force. Read more about how the procedure for obtaining a German passport has changed and who may be denied German citizenship in 2024.

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Ihor Usyk - head of Visit World's legal department

When working abroad, expats often have various legal issues, because the legislation of each country is special. Consulting a specialist will help you understand all the intricacies of labor law. A labor and business lawyer is your reliable assistant in solving simple and complex issues in any corner of the world.

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Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Germany;

Legal advice on business issues in Germany;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Germany;

Medical insurance around the world.

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We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.