Most countries have at least one work visa option available to foreigners. In general, these visas require an employer to sponsor the employee. This type of work visa presents a challenge for entrepreneurs and freelancers who do not have an employer in the traditional sense, but rather work for themselves or for a company on a contract basis. Because of the recent increase in entrepreneurship and the gig economy, countries are responding by creating new visa options for these people without employers. In Germany, this option is the lesser known freelance visa. This article will briefly describe the freelance visa application process and outline the generally required documents.
Am I eligible for a German freelance visa?
A German freelance visa is available to, of course, freelancers. What makes the freelance visa particularly appealing is that there aren’t too many strict requirements and you don’t have to be sponsored by an employer. The freelance visa is great for freelancers and consultants, and to individuals who want to start a business (there are some extra documents required for those of you who are starting a new business in Germany) or to work for multiple startups on a consulting basis.
When should I apply for the visa?
If you come from certain countries, including the US, Canada Australia, and Israel, you can apply for a freelance visa after you have arrived in Germany, however, citizens of most countries must apply for this visa before entering Germany at their local German consulate. Because the application and decisionmaking processes can be long, you should apply for your visa well in advance of your intended move/travel date.
How do I apply for a German freelance visa?
Although the application process is not too difficult, there is a process that you must follow and gathering the required documentation can be tedious. Before diving into the process and required documentation, you should find a person who is fluent in German to help you. This assistance is not only helpful to you, but also to the various government employees who will be tasked with working with you throughout your application process, because their (and thus the application) working language will be German. You can also hire a professional to help you through the application process who can help as little or as much as you need. The Globig Marketplace includes vetted immigration experts from around the world.
Even before you begin the application process, there are a number of preliminary steps you must go through. Those steps include finding a place to live (and getting a rental agreement/lease signed) and opening a bank account. Finding a place to live and opening a bank account can be complicated, so those are topics for another article.
After you have found a place to live and opened a bank account, you need to complete the following pieces of the application process.
1. Register your local address: Within two weeks of moving to Germany, you need to register, or at least get an appointment to register, your address at a local registration office, known as Bürgeramt.
2. Get health insurance: You need to provide proof of insurance. The easiest way to do this is to get health insurance through a private provider. Make sure your health insurance is sufficient, which generally means comparable to public health insurance coverage.
3. Organize your documentation: A list of generally required documentation is below.
4. Schedule your appointment: You are required to go through an in-person interview at your local immigration office, known as Ausländerbehörd. You can schedule this appointment online.
5. Attend your appointment and pay the applicable fee: Make sure you bring all of the correct documentation with you to your appointment. You will be required to pay a fee, which generally ranges from €50-100.
6. Wait for your visa: It can take several months for your visa to be granted. Make sure you keep your contact information up-to-date so you don’t unnecessarily prolong the process.
7. Register for a tax ID: As soon as your visa is processed and granted, you should register for a tax ID. You will be required to pay taxes in Germany.
Required documents include:
- Passport
- Current biometric photograph
- the form “Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels” (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit)
- Financing plan
- Revenue forecast
- Curriculum vitae
- Professional permit (if required for your occupation)
- Health insurance
- Adequate pension plan (with some exceptions and if over 45 years of age)
- Lease or proof of home ownership
The German freelance visa application process is not too difficult. The challenge comes in gathering the required documentation, working with German speaking government employees, and having the patience to follow through with the process. This article should be used as a guide in navigating the process and required documents, but you should always do your own research, consider working with an expert, and start the process well in advance of when you need the visa.
Related Articles and Content You Might Like:
Hiring and Visa Options in Germany
Ways to Do Business in Germany
PODCAST: The State of Investment Funding in Bavaria, Germany
About Globig:
Get out of managing your international employees in spreadsheets + email. Get into Globig – one platform for managing international employees, business, and GDPR compliance.
Want to learn more? Join Globig now. We’re here to help.
