A to Z Guide to becoming a Freelancer in Germany
Are you considering moving to Germany as a freelancer?
German bureaucracy is super overwhelming for foreigners.
We have simplified all the basic information that you must know to become a freelancer in Germany – from German visa application to register as a freelancer to German freelancer taxes.
Read our step by step walkthrough of how to become a freelancer in Germany.
STEP 1: Entering as a Freelancer in Germany
All foreigners need a self-employment permit to start freelancing in Germany. The requirements for a German freelance visa can differ from country to country. Certain foreign citizens require a German entry visa and some don’t.
Read the following FAQs carefully to learn about the entry requirements for Germany for your citizenship.
EU citizens enjoy EU-wide freedom of movement and can enter German without an entry visa or a resident permit.
If you are a citizen of an EU country,
you can enter Germany without an entry visa
register yourself as a resident at the town hall (Bürgeramt) responsible for your city
register yourself as a freelancer at your responsible tax authority (Finanzamt)
Non-EU nationals need an entry visa. However, certain nationalities may enter Germany without an entry visa for up to 90 days.
If you are a citizen of the following countries you can enter and stay in Germany for 90 days without applying for an entry visa from your home country.
- Australia,
- Israel,
- Japan,
- Canada,
- South Korea,
- New Zealand,
- some South American nations
- the United States
Citizens of the rest of the world need a German entry visa to enter Germany. They can apply for this entry visa from their local German consulate.
Once they have been granted a German entry visa, they can arrive in Germany and apply for a German freelance resident permit.
What is the difference between a German Entry Visa and German Resident Permit?
A German entry visa grants you entry into Germany for a specific purpose e.g. tourism, study, work, family reunion etc. You apply for an entry visa at a German embassy/ consulate from your home country. A typical German entry visa has a validity of 90 – 180 days.
A German resident permit is a permit to stay in Germany for longer periods of time for specific purposes e.g. studying, working, freelancing etc. It is granted by foreigners’ offices (Ausländerbehörde) responsible for individual cities in Germany. A typical German resident permit can last from 12 months to 3 years.
Watch our FAQs about German resident permit and German freelancer visa here:
Read our Beginner-Friendly Guide to
STEP 2: Register as a Freelancer in Germany
Congratulations! You got your German freelancer visa!
(Yes, yes, we know it’s actually a German self-employment resident permit!)
Getting your German freelance visa is just the beginning. Now you have to start the registration process.
Read all the FAQs about registering yourself as a freelancer in Germany.
All self-employed people including freelancers in Germany must register their business with the German tax authorities (Finanzamt).
You register yourself by filling up a German tax registration form called ‘Fragebogen zur Steuerlichen Erfassung’.
Click here to read a step by step guide in English to fill this form.
Registering as a freelancer in Germany with Finanzamt is a fairly simple process, but it can be really difficult for anyone new to the German language.
You can use an online tax filing tool called GetSorted, which lets you fill up this form completely in English.
Once your responsible tax authority receives your registration form they will issue a German freelance tax number for you.
If you requested a VAT id, they will also send you one.
What is the difference between Freiberufler and Gewerbetreibender?
German tax laws differentiate between Freelancer or a Sole-Trader (Freiberufler or Gewerbe) in Germany. It’s very important to register with the correct self-employment type because it can impact your tax reporting.
Click here to learn the difference between the two.
You can also watch this short video guide.
Read our Beginner-Friendly Guide to
VAT for Freelancers in Germany
STEP 3: Understand Taxes for Freelancers in Germany
German freelancer taxes are complicated if you are new to the system. We have published a beginner’s friendly guide to taxes for freelancers in Germany right here.
Read all the FAQs about German freelancers Taxes here:
Here are the main German Tax IDs for Freelancers
- Steuer ID (National Tax ID)
- Steuernummer (German freelancer tax number)
- Umsatzsteuer-ID (VAT ID)
Read our beginner’s friendly guide to German freelancer tax IDs.
Freelancers pay the following taxes in Germany:
- Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung (Advance VAT reporting)
- Einkommensteuer-Vorauszahlungen (Advance income tax payments)
- Gewerbesteuer (Trade tax – only for sole traders)
Read our beginner’s friendly guide to German freelancer taxes.
Freelancers in Germany must file the following annual tax reports:
- Umsatz-Steuererklärung (VAT Declaration)
- Anlage EÜR (Profit and Loss Statement)
- Einkommen-Steuererklärung (Income Tax Return)
Read our beginner’s friendly guide to annual tax reports in Germany.
Freelancers in Germany can file their tax reports online using ELSTER.
You can also use other online tax filing tools to file your taxes in Germany.
We highly recommend GetSorted which is completely accessible in English and fully integrated with ELSTER.
What is the difference between Steuer ID and Steuernummer?
We have a comprehensive but beginner’s friendly guide to German tax IDs for freelancers.
You can also watch this 5-minute video guide to essential tax ids for freelancers in Germany.
Read our Beginner-Friendly Guide to
German Freelancer Taxes