Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung der selbstständigen Tätigkeit beantragen

Do you have foreign citizenship and would like to become self-employed in Germany? In this case, you will need a residence permit to carry out a self-employed activity.

The residence permit for self-employment is limited to a maximum of 3 years. At the end of the 3 years, you can obtain a settlement permit if:

• Your company is successful and
• Their livelihood is still secure.

Hint: You have received a residence permit for another purpose and would like to become self-employed? This is possible if you have the otherwise required permits or if the authority has promised you this.

• Proof of compliance with passport and visa requirements
• Proof of secure livelihood
• Proof that there are no grounds for expulsion against you
• Proof that you do not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
• Proof of fulfilment of the economic conditions, in particular
  • Proof of the investment project
  • Proof of financing
• depending on the activity: proof of professional permits (e.g. entry in the register of craftsmen)
• over 45-year-olds in addition: proof of an adequate pension

Requirements for the residence permit are:

• They meet the passport and visa requirements.
  For the passport requirement, it is sufficient if you have a replacement ID card.
• Your livelihood is secured without using public funds.
  Your livelihood is considered secure if you:
  • Income in the amount of the simple standard social assistance rate (e.g. 374.00 euros for single persons) plus
  • costs for accommodation and heating as well as
  • of any health insurance contributions.
• There is no ground for expulsion against you.
• Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• Persons over the age of 45 must have an adequate pension.
• the following economic conditions:
  • There is an economic interest or a regional need for your activity.
  • Their activities are expected to have a positive impact on the economy.
  • The financing of the implementation is secured by equity or a loan commitment.

If this does not apply to your project, the authority will seek the opinions of competent bodies. These clarify whether the planned activity is legally competent.

Hint: You do not have to meet the economic requirements for self-employed persons in the following cases:

• You want to become self-employed in a liberal profession.
  But you need
  • the necessary licences for the exercise of the liberal profession, or
  • at least an undertaking to grant them.
• You have successfully completed your studies at a state or state-recognised university or a comparable training institution in Germany.
  However, the intended self-employment must have a connection with the knowledge acquired during the studies.
• As a researcher, you have a residence permit for the purpose of employment or research.
  However, the intended self-employed activity must have a connection with your scientific activity or your research activity.

Grant: 100 €

Extension up to 3 months: 96 €

Extension of more than 3 months: 93 €

The issuance of the residence permit takes about five weeks. Therefore, please apply for them in good time. Otherwise, a fictional certificate may be issued temporarily. The fee is 13 €.

Before entering Germany, you must apply for a national visa in your home country.

After entering the country, you must apply for the residence permit in writing at the Foreigners' Registration Office before your visa expires. Depending on the place of residence, the Foreigners' Registration Office is the city administration or the district office.

Since 01.09.2011 you will receive the residence permit in the form of a credit card with additional electronic functions. Further information can be found under "Applying for an electronic residence permit (eAT)".

4 - 6 weeks

Nationals of the Member States of the European Union (EU) have access to the German labour market on the basis of their right to freedom of movement. They may pursue a self-employed activity in Germany within the framework of their right of establishment. The same applies to other citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and nationals of Switzerland.

• for the issuance of a national visa before entering the Federal territory: the German mission abroad (embassy, consulate)
  Tip: A list of the representations of the Federal Republic of Germany abroad is available from the Federal Foreign Office on its website.
• after entry: the immigration office in whose district you usually reside.
  Immigration authorities in Hesse are district administrators and mayors of district-free cities and cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants.