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Germany self-employment and freelance visa
quote after we review the task
Business immigration to Germany in 2026 rests on Section 21 of the Residence Act (AufenthG): an entrepreneur receives a residence permit for self-employment if the business serves an economic interest or a regional need, is expected to benefit the economy and is financed by own capital or a loan commitment. The law sets no minimum investment, the first permit is issued for up to 3 years, and after 3 successful years a settlement permit is possible. Freelancers in liberal professions have a separate rule, Section 21(5), often called the Germany freelance visa. Germany has no dedicated digital nomad visa and no golden visa. Checked against the text of the AufenthG on 09.10.2026.
What we do
- Choose the ground: Section 21(1) for entrepreneurs, Section 21(5) for freelancers, Section 21(2a) for German graduates and Blue Card holders.
- Review the business idea against the criteria used by the authority and the local chamber of commerce.
- Prepare the file: business plan, financing, proof of experience, pension provision for applicants over 45.
- Plan the D visa at the consulate or a change of status in Germany where the law allows it.
- Map the route to permanent residence and citizenship.
What we need from you
- A description of the business or profession, clients and the German market.
- Documents on education and business experience.
- Proof of own funds or a loan commitment.
- For regulated liberal professions, the licence to practise.
Grounds for business and self-employment
| Ground | Who it suits | Key legal conditions | Route to settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 21(1) self-employment | Company founders, sole traders, partners | Economic interest or regional need; positive economic effect; financing by own capital or a loan commitment | After 3 years under Section 21(4) if the business succeeds and income is secured |
| Section 21(5) liberal profession | Freelancers: IT specialists, designers, translators, consultants, doctors, lawyers | Professional licence where required; conditions of subsection 1 do not apply | General route under Section 9: 5 years and 60 months of pension contributions |
| Section 21(2a) | German graduates, researchers, Blue Card holders | Activity linked to the degree or research; the permit should be granted without subsection 1 conditions | General rules |
| Section 21(2b) | Skilled workers with a start-up scholarship | Scholarship from a German business organisation or public body | For the scholarship period, up to 18 months |
| Section 21(6) | Holders of a permit for another purpose | Permission for self-employment while keeping the original purpose | Under the main permit |
How the authority assesses a business under Section 21(1)
The law names no investment threshold or number of jobs. The assessment follows the criteria listed in Section 21(1): viability of the business idea, the applicant's entrepreneurial experience, the amount of capital, the effect on employment and training, and the contribution to innovation and research. Chambers of commerce at the place of activity, trade offices, professional chambers and licensing bodies take part in the review.
- Over 45: the permit should be granted only with adequate pension provision (Section 21(3)).
- Duration: up to 3 years (Section 21(4)).
- Settlement after 3 years: if the activity is successful, further development is expected and income supports you and your family.
Older websites still quote "€250,000 and 5 jobs". The current text of Section 21 contains no such figures, so we build the financing plan around the specific business and its real costs.
Germany freelance visa: Section 21(5)
A permit for a liberal profession (freiberufliche Tätigkeit) is granted without the economic-interest test of subsection 1. If the profession is regulated in Germany, the licence must be granted or promised. The relevant chambers also take part. The 3-year settlement rule of Section 21(4) does not apply to freelancers: they follow the general Section 9 route of 5 years and 60 months of pension contributions.
Remote work for foreign clients with no link to Germany has no separate ground. The law only allows a permit "in justified cases" for a purpose it does not cover (Section 7(1)), and that permit carries no right to work.
Procedure
We compare Section 21(1), 21(5), 21(2a) and employment grounds, and decide whether a company is needed and in which form.
We prepare documents against the Section 21(1) criteria: market, clients, capital, jobs, experience.
Ukrainian citizens are not on the Section 41 AufenthV list, so from abroad they apply for a national D visa at the consulate. People who arrived from Ukraine under the transitional ordinance may obtain the permit inside Germany (Section 3 UkraineAufenthÜV).
After entry, the foreigners' authority issues an electronic card for up to 3 years.
After 3 successful years, a settlement permit under Section 21(4); freelancers under Section 9.
Related services
Blue Card, Opportunity Card, switching from Section 24.
Settlement permit: timelines and conditions.
5 years, B1, dual citizenship allowed.
Contracts, business, support.
GmbH or UG formation is handled by RegServ, GmbH accounting and reporting by Keys, and company taxes (15 % corporate income tax plus solidarity surcharge and trade tax) by Crystal Tax. Market entry through a subsidiary or branch: INNOVA Consulting Group.
Sources (as of 09.10.2026): AufenthG Section 21; AufenthG Section 7; AufenthG Section 9; AufenthV Section 41; Ukraine-Aufenthalts-Übergangsverordnung; GmbHG Section 5.
Can I get a German residence permit by starting a business?+
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Does Germany have a digital nomad visa?+
When can an entrepreneur get permanent residence in Germany?+
Can I apply for a business permit while in Germany under temporary protection?+
Is there an age limit for the self-employment permit?+
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NCAGE Number: A4E8J
"INNOVA CONSULTING GROUP"
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