Definition of Freelancing in Germany
In Germany, a freelancer is defined as a person who exercises one of the free professions independently (list of these professions given below), without functioning as a business, a partnership, or being employed with a full-time, part-time or remote contract.
List of Liberal Professions that Qualify as Freelancing Work
According to the German Income Tax Act and in the Partnership Companies Act, the following liberal professions are categorized as freelancing work, under the sole conditions that the freelancer is acting on his/her own expertise and acting independently:
- scientists
- artists
- writers
- lecturers
- teacher and educators
- doctors
- dentists
- veterinarians
- lawyers
- notaries
- patent attorneys
- surveyors
- engineers
- architects
- trade chemists
- accountants
- tax advisers
- advisory bodies and business economists
- certified accountants
- tax representatives
- naturopaths
- dentists
- physiotherapists
- journalists
- image reporters
- interpreters
- translators
- pilots
Other similar jobs may also qualify as freelancing work, if they meet the condition given above. However, even a person that exercises one of the liberal professions but he or she uses the help of technically trained workers, that work is no longer recognized as freelancing but rather as self-employment.
Difference Between Freelancers and Tradespersons/Self-Employed in Germany
Those wishing to work as freelancers in Germany, should make sure that their work not instead fall under the ‘self-employed/trade’ category. Sometimes there is a very thin line between self-employment and freelancing.
While both indicate that you are not an employee of anyone, but rather you are the sole decision maker for the services you provide, there are still quite some differences between them.
The main difference is that while freelancers work in their name, self-employed people conduct business under a brand name. In addition, while some professions may categorize as freelancing even if they are not listed as liberal professions,
In terms of compulsory legal procedures, the difference is that while freelancers do not need to register with the Business Registration Authority in Germany (Gewerbeamt), those categorized as self-employed cannot operate without registering there.
As a conclusion, freelancers are also required to pay less taxes than self-employed/tradespersons as explained below in this article.
Foreigners that Qualify to Work as Freelancers in Germany
All foreigners that meet the legal requirements can work in Germany as freelancers, though most of world citizens would need a visa to do so.
The main criteria for a person to move to Germany and work as a freelancer are:
- The profession a person wants to exercise as a freelancer in Germany, must be listed as a liberal profession, or at least be a similar one that the German Tax Office may consider to be okay for freelancing.
- There must be an economic interest or a regional need for the type of work the freelancer intends to do in Germany.
- The freelancer must have the capacity to support himself/herself while in Germany.
Germany Visa for Freelancers
Passport holders of the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein do not need any visa or residence permit to move to Germany to work as freelancers. They will however, need to register with the Foreigner’s Office nearest their place of stay in Germany and follow the other legal requirement as getting an identification number, in order for their working to be legal.
On the other hand, nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, United States of America and South Korea can also move to Germany without any visa, but they will need to get a Residence Permit upon arrival. They will also need to register with the Foreigner’s Office nearest their place of stay in Germany and follow the other legal requirement as getting an identification number, in order for their work to be legal.
As for the nationals of other world countries, they will need to get a German Freelance Visa first, and then follow the rest of the steps to work as freelancers in Germany.
Here you can find a full and detailed guide on the steps of application, criteria and requirements one needs to meet in order to get a
Freelance Visa for Germany.
Registering the New Home Address at Foreigner’s Office
Within the first 90 days of arrival in Germany every freelancer, no matter their nationality (even EU passport holders) must register their home address at the German Foreigner’s Office closest to their new place.
The required documents to bring are: a rental contract signed by the freelancer and their landlord, a fully completed registration form which can be found at the office, and the passport or National ID of the freelancer.
Getting Health Insurance in Germany
Health Insurance is mandatory for every person moving to Germany, including freelancers. Before their trip to Germany, freelancers can purchase health insurance that will cover them for the period needed. Freelancers can also come to
Germany with travel health insurance that covers them in the first few days or weeks, and before its expiration, to purchase health insurance from a provider in Germany.
Those that have insurance from a provider of their home country, that also covers Germany, do not need to switch it for another, only if they want to.
Opening a Bank Account as a Freelancer
A bank account number is compulsory in order to complete several other steps, including getting a residence permit, for foreigners in Germany. You also need it to get paid by your clients, so it is best to open one as soon as you register your address.
Most banks in Germany have English speaking representatives. They also have special bank offers for freelancers, so you can check with them and find the one most suitable for you.
Germany Residence Permit for Freelancers
Every freelancer, after they register their home address, get health insurance and open their bank account, must proceed with the other steps in order for their stay in the country to be legal.
Applying for a residence permit is next in the list. Because of its importance, it seems as a huge deal and a difficult process, but in fact it isn’t. It is way easier than getting a visa for those that need to. Freelancers need to set an appointment with the local immigration office nearest their home.
There are some documents required for application and a few rules that every freelancer needs to obey.
Registering as a Freelancer in Germany
Within about ten days of registering their address at the Foreigner’s Office, every freelancer automatically receives a letter with their personal tax ID. The ID contains the tax identification number which is necessary to get the tax number as a freelancer (please do not mix these two as in German the first is known as Identifikationsnummer and the second as Steuernummer)
You can get this number by only completing the relevant form called Fragebogen zur steuerlichenErfassung, and submitting it at the right office – Finanzamt – in the German city where you live.
