German Freelance Visa 2024 (Guide) Hello, freelancers! You have thus planned your freelance agency business in Germany or another EU country to have access to one of the world’s top countries in the freelance sector since Germany currently employs over 150 million freelancers and has a GOOD PROJECT MARKET with promising tax brackets.
Nevertheless, a persistent query comes up. Do I need a visa to work as a freelancer in Germany?
The brief response is: Germany is granting freelancing visas to citizens of other nations, particularly those in healthcare, law, tax, business consulting, scientific/technical, linguistic, or information transmission fields, who are skilled and committed to expanding their agency or business in Germany, recognizing the significant role of freelance work in job creation and economic growth.
Freelance work visas are offered for 3 months, which costs 75 euros. They must legally establish their presence in Germany before applying for a residence permit, which can be granted for three to five years, and permanent residency.
The German freelance visa offers a great opportunity to work with various startups, enterprises, and individuals, making it a valuable addition for freelancers wishing to develop and grow their freelance businesses or agencies.
Why a German freelance visa?
- A three-year residence permit is one of the advantages.
- The capacity to launch a company or work independently
- The reunion of family
- Freedom of movement inside the Schengen region
- After three to five years, the route to permanent residency
- After six years, German passport eligibility
Also, Check: Germany Opens Doors for Skilled Workers and Students
Eligibility Criteria for German Freelance Visa 2024:
- You must be practicing any one of the liberal professions publicly listed by the Income Tax Act of Germany.
- You will not need to apply for a trade permit or complete the business registration process in Germany if you work as a freelancer.
- Get registered with the tax office, and obtain a tax number.
- If you are a professional member of an association or council, you must get the membership of that council or association before starting with your freelancing in any of the authorized professions.
- Recognition of the foreign qualification for other liberal professions
- Foreign graduates of German universities with recognition must align their work with their credentials. Scientists or researchers working in Germany should expect freelance work. Artists entering the country on a German artist’s visa can also expect freelance work. Visitors on temporary German visas must meet specific requirements to freelance.
- You are earning at least €9,000/ year.
- You have to find accommodation and register your address at the local registration office.
Language requirements:
No designated German language requirements for freelance visas. Although leveling up your language skills shall help you leverage your
Duration of freelance visa:
- Germany offers a three-month freelance visa.
Documents required:
The documents required for the online application are:
- Certificates of earlier education
- Portfolio of your previous work
- Recommendation letters from previous employers/clients
- An updated resume
- A cover letter.
- A completed visa application form.
- Two biometric photographs.
- Portfolio of previous work.
- Professional authorization (an internationally recognized license If the applicant is planning to exercise a profession in medicine, law, audit, etc.
- Latest bank statements
- Declared financials (annual or semiannual P&L statement of related freelance activity)
- Blocked bank account (explained below)
- Evidence of a freelance plan
- Letters of commitment from future customers/ employers, at least two of them, showcasing the intent to employ you in Germany)
When in Germany, how may I begin working as a freelancer?
- After arriving in Germany, you must register yourself as a freelancer, which includes:
Register Your Address
- Register with the local Bürgeramt (resident’s registration office).
- Receive Meldebescheinigung (confirmation of living address registration).
Open a German bank account
- Open a bank account with a German bank for financial transactions.
Register with the Tax Office (Finanzamt).
- Submit Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung (Tax Number Registration Form)
- Receive Steuernummer (Tax ID) for tax purposes.
Get health insurance.
- Obtain proper health insurance coverage for yourself.
Apply for a Residence Permit
- Apply for a residence permit for freelancing within the first three months of arrival in Germany.
German freelance residence permit:
Freelance visa holders must apply for the freelance residence permit during 3 months of visa validity.
- Permits can be extended for up to three years.
- Qualifying conditions: successful freelance business, sufficient income to cover living and dependent expenses.
- A settlement permit may be granted after three years if a retail or manual trade business is started.
Also, Read About: Germany Opportunity Card 2024
HOW TO APPLY FOR A FREELANCE WORK VISA IN GERMANY?
To start with the process of a freelance visa, you must
- Check the site of the German Embassy or Consulate General in your country of residence for additional requirements in your country, https://www.diplo.de/addresses, and book an appointment.
- Complete and print out the visa application form using https://videx-national.diplo.de/videx
- Bring your application form along with supporting documents with you to your appointment
- After approval from the Embassy or Consulate General, get your visa sticker on your passport
What is a German blocked account:
One of the requirements for a German freelance visa is opening and maintaining a German-registered bank account, known as a German-blocked account. Before moving to Germany, you must deposit €11,904 in a German-registered bank account. The money shall be frozen, and after you arrive, you can only withdraw €992 monthly for your daily needs.
Disclaimer: We try our best to keep the information on our website correct and up-to-date. However, we can’t be held responsible for any mistakes. This quick guide is not a substitute for an official decision on your visa application. Any decisions will be based on the latest version of Germany’s Residence Act.
We try to keep our website accurate, but we can’t guarantee it. Always check with the authorities for the most up-to-date information and official decisions.