There are a lot of misconceptions in the Googleverse about the German
freelancer visaself-employment residence permit! Let’s take a look at them one by one, and clear up some common misinformation.
First things first,
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It’s a Residence Permit, NOT a visa!
Unfortunately, the term German freelance visa is used interchangeably with a German residence permit for self-employment on most expat blogs, and online communities on Facebook, Reddit etc.
A German visa and a residence permit are two different documents. In German immigration law,
- A visa is called Visum
- A residence permit is called Aufenthaltserlaubnis
A visa or an entry visa allows you to enter Germany for a short period of time- usually 90 – 180 days.
Most non-EU nationals will need a German visa to cross borders. Once in Germany, they can apply for a longer German residence permit for self-employment at the Aüsländerbehörde responsible for their city.
A residence permit, on the other hand, allows you to stay in the country for a longer period – usually for one to three years. In some cases, it can be issued for five years.
Not ALL non-EU citizens need a German entry visa though.
Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, and the United States have a visa waiver program that allows their passport holders to enter Germany for up to 90 days without applying for a visa.
Residents of these countries may enter Germany without a visa and apply for a German residence permit for self-employment.
Read More: Guide to Enter Germany as a Freelancer
It’s a Self-Employment Residence Permit, NOT a Freelancer Visa
Now that we know the difference between a residence permit and a visa, here is another common misconception that has been floating around forever.
There’s no such thing as a German ‘Freelancer visa’. It’s called a German self-employment permit. In German immigration law this residence permit is called ‘Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur selbstständigen Tätigkeit.’
It’s a Self-Employment Residence Permit, NOT an Artist Visa!
There is NO such thing as an ‘Artist Visa’ in Germany. It is a colloquial term used in Berlin’s immigrant community to simplify self-employment residence permits.
There have been several cases (particularly) in Berlin when the immigration office caseworkers promptly granted a self-employment residence permit for artistic activities and language teachers. Most likely due to a large influx of international freelance musicians, artists, designers, and developers flocking to Berlin more than other German cities.
Over time this came to contribute towards the ‘German Artist Visa’ myth within the international circuits. It’s not a special ‘visa category’ despite what you may have read or heard.
German foreigners’ authorities grant ONE type of residence permit for a ‘liberal professional’ self-employed activity which is simply called ‘Self-employment residence permit’ AKA Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur selbstständigen Tätigkeit.
You DO NOT need XX number of German clients to apply for a German freelancer visa
Section 21 of the 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.
There are no requirements for a minimum number of local clients. However, it definitely helps your case if you have some existing or potential German clients.
Your visa officer must ensure the following conditions before approving your application:
- Your skills are relevant in Germany: Having local clients demonstrates that your skills have some demand locally.
- Your skills can guarantee sustainable livelihood: You should be able to support yourself without dependence on the German social security system.
Experienced international freelancers with a successful track record and high revenue have a good chance of getting a resident permit.
Some freelancers have been able to get their German self-employment residence permit with zero locally-based clients.
You DO NOT need to earn € XXX to get a German self-employment residence permit
There is no official and specific amount of monthly revenue stipulated by the German immigration act. This is for a good reason.
The monthly sustainable income can differ from state to state and even city to city in Germany. Some regions have a considerably higher cost of living than others.
Your visa officer will determine your means of subsistence based on your average monthly revenue, fixed monthly expenses (such as rent, health insurance etc) and overall business expenses, etc.
As a ballpark figure, in Germany, an average monthly income of around €3,000 is considered sustainable for one adult. For each family member, you can add €500 per month.
If your business consistently generates revenue around this amount, your chances of getting a German freelancer visa will be quite high.
International freelancers CAN get public health insurance in Germany
Even though it is not impossible for foreign citizens to get into Germany’s public health insurance system, there is some truth to this statement.
Many public health insurance providers in Germany accept voluntary members. This voluntary membership applies to self-employed or retired people. This is called freiwillige gesetzliche krankenversicherung.
AOK explains on their website that foreigners from countries outside the EU whose residence permit allows them to be self-employed also have the right to choose public health insurance with them.
An international freelancer can also get into German public health insurance if they have already contributed to the system before becoming a freelancer in Germany.
For example,
- an international student registered with public health insurance may stay as a voluntary member after they become a freelancer in Germany.
- an international full-time employee with public health insurance can stay as a voluntary member once they switch to a German self-employment residence permit.
Read more: Beginners’ Guide to Health Insurance for Freelancers in Germany.