Checklist For Your German Freelance Visa Application

Are you preparing your German freelance visa application? Do you meet all the self-employment requirements for foreign nationals in Germany? Before you submit your paperwork read this comprehensive and detailed German freelance visa checklist.

Germany is known for having one of the best working conditions in the world. Attractive paychecks, easy work weeks, great holiday allowance, and several other benefits and perks.

So why on earth would someone trade them to freelance in Germany? Isn’t freelancing full of financial risks and uncertainties? Well, all that is true. However, freelancing is not so uncommon in Germany. In fact, there’s an ever-growing self-employment economy in Germany.

All foreigners need a German self-employment permit aka a German freelance visa to start a business in Germany.

Citizens of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, the United States, and a few South American nations can enter Germany for 90 days without any entry visa. If you are a citizen of one of these countries you can land in Germany and use this 90-day period to initiate the process of German freelance visa application.

The citizens of the rest of the world, otherwise known as third-country nationals (NOT to be confused with the third world) need a German entry visa from their home countries. Once they have arrived in Germany they can apply for a German freelance permit like any other citizens.

The German freelancer visa application is cumbersome and full of tons of paperwork. We have prepared this German freelance visa checklist to give you an overview of some key requirements to prepare you better.

1. Do You Have an In-Demand Professional Skillset?

This one is iffy. Depending on who you ask, you will get a different reply.

Some foreign nationals have to show evidence of German clients during their German freelance visa application process.

German Act on the Residence, Economic Activity and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory clearly states that:

(1) A foreigner may be granted a temporary residence permit for the purpose of self-employment if:

1.  an economic interest or a regional need applies,
2.  the activity is expected to have positive effects on the economy and
3.  the foreigner has personal capital or an approved loan to realise the business idea.

This means the applicant has to demonstrate that they have existing or potential clients in Germany. You can prove this by showing invoices or contracts or through letters of intent by German businesses.

Some freelance visa applicants have reported that they were able to get a visa without any German clients. Although many have been asked to show letters of intent from German-based clients.

You can also apply for your German freelancer visa with your clients from Upwork. Just make sure your bookkeeping is compliant with German tax laws.

Our recommendation would be to find as many German clients as you can. Freelance visa applications are analysed on their own merits, and it’s best to cover all your bases. And this is an important one.

Suggested Reading: Common Misconceptions About German ‘Freelancer Visa’

2. Do You Generate Sustainable Monthly Revenue?

This German self-employment visa requirement is the same as any other regular resident permit.

You should be able to financially support yourself through your business. Your caseworker will ask you for proof of income.

Foreigners preparing their German freelance visa application are typically asked to submit the previous years’ income tax statements. Usually, this suffices as proof of regular income.

Some applicants have been asked for an income projection from a certified tax consultant, business plan, invoices, copies of contracts, and letters of intent from potential clients as well.

The minimal monthly income could be different depending on your location.

Some places are much more expensive than others. In some cities, you could get away with €700 per month, but in others €4000 won’t cut it. 

Caseworkers at foreign offices assume freelancers to be the experts in their field. Some earn even more than a regular employee in their field and experience. You should aim for a much higher monthly net income from your business.

3. Do You Have Sufficient German Language Skills?

While this is not a must-have item of this German freelance visa checklist, you should be able to speak at least intermediate-level German (A2-B1 level). Don’t be surprised if your visa officer actually asks you for a language certificate.

In large German cities, you may be able to meet an international community, however, you may be out of luck when trying to socialise with Germans. Or trying to work out paperwork at government German offices. Or signing any contracts for simple utilities in Germany.

German is the official language for all intent and purposes and it is rare to get information in English. You will make your life much easier by learning German. Learning an additional language such as German is also terrific since you can expand your client base to not only English-speaking countries but also the entire DACH region.

With a German language certificate in your hand, you may be able to tip the scales in your favour with your visa officer.

4. Do You Have Valid German Health Insurance?

All residents in Germany must have health insurance.

As a freelancer in Germany, you’ll need an insurance plan that is meant for self-employed people. Here are some visa office-approved health insurance providers in Germany.

Bear in mind that health insurance for self-employed people is VERY expensive.

In Germany, the employer pays for almost half of the health insurance premium and the rest is shared by the employee. As a self-employed person, you wear both hats- so you have to pay for both the employer and the employee part of the monthly premium.

You have the option to choose either public or private health insurance in Germany.

Both insurances charge according to your monthly income. The public health insurance premium is about 14% of your gross income. But that’s a BIG but, the public system has a maximum monthly contribution cap.

So after a certain income threshold, you end up paying a flat rate regardless of how high your monthly income gets. At the time of writing this article, this threshold is EUR 5,500 as gross income per month.

So these are the key requirements for a German freelance visa application for most non-EU nationals. Visa application processing is based on individual merits and as always your mileage may vary. But the above-mentioned German freelance visa checklist gives you a general idea of how to properly prepare your application German self-employment permit.

Suggested Reading: Changing your existing German residence permit into German freelance visa

How was your German freelancer visa application? How was your experience? Does this article cover a comprehensive German freelance visa checklist or did you have to fill in some additional documentation for your foreigner’s office? Tell us in the comments below.