How to start a business
A detailed guide to all the rules you must follow when starting a business in Germany, from registering as a freelancer to paying your taxes.
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How to register your business
This is how you fill the Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung and register your business with the Finanzamt.-
Being a Kleinunternehmer
This guide explains what a Kleinunternehmer is, and when it makes sense to be one. -
Are you a Freiberufler or a Gewerbe?
Learn the differences between being a freelancer (Freiberufler) and a tradesperson (Gewerbetreibender). It's not as easy as it seems! -
How to do the Gewerbeanmeldung
The Gewerbeanmeldung is how you get a trade licence (Gewerbeschein) and register for the trade tax (Gewerbesteuer). -
What is a Handelsregisternummer?
The German Registernummer, what it looks like and where to find it.
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Being a Kleinunternehmer
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How the trade tax works
If you are self-employed in Germany, you might need to pay a trade tax. This is how it works, and how much it costs. -
How VAT works
A guide to the value-added tax (VAT) for German freelancers and businesses. -
How to run a website
The laws and regulations you must follow to run a website legally in Germany: the Impressum, analytics, cookie banners, GDPR, etc. -
How to go from employee to freelancer
This is how you go from a full time job to freelancing when you have a German work visa or Blue Card. -
Freelance developer salaries
Detailed information about what to charge your freelance client. This guide is frequently updated.