Starting a business
Guides for the entrepreneurial Berliner
How to start a business in Germany 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.
How to apply for the German Freelance Visa How to get a freelance visa
The process and the requirements for obtaining a German freelance visa or a German artist visa. This is how you become self-employed in Germany.
How to move to Germany and become a freelancer How to move to Germany as a freelancer
A step by step guide on opening your business or becoming a freelancer in Germany.
How to go from employee to freelancer in Germany 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 rates in Berlin Freelance developer rates
Detailed information about what to charge your freelance client. This guide is frequently updated.
How to join the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK) How to join the KSK
This guide shows you how to apply for the Künstlersozialkasse. If you are a freelancer, this can save you hundreds of euros per month.
How VAT works in Germany How VAT works
A guide to the value-added tax (VAT) for German freelancers and businesses.
How being a Kleinunternehmer works Being a Kleinunternehmer
This guide explains what a Kleinunternehmer is, and when it makes sense to be one.
What is the trade tax (Gewerbesteuer)? What is the trade tax?
If you are self-employed in Germany, you might have to pay a trade tax. This is how it works, and how much it costs.
Freiberufler or Gewerbe: what's the difference? Freiberufler or Gewerbe?
Learn the differences between being a freelancer (Freiberufler) and a tradesman (Gewerbetreibende). It's not as easy as it seems!
How to get a Gewerbeschein in Berlin How to get a Gewerbeschein
This is how you get a trade licence (Gewerbeschein) and register for the trade tax (Gewerbesteuer).
How to run a website in Germany 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.
My review of Kontist: it's not worth it Review of Kontist
I use Kontist as my business bank since January 2022. All of my business goes through it. This is my honest review of their service.