Starting a business
Guides for the entrepreneurial Berliner
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How to start a business in Germany
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 apply for a German freelance visa
The process and the requirements to get a German freelance visa or artist visa. This is how you become self-employed in Germany.
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How to go from employee to freelancer in Germany
This is how you go from a full time job to freelancing when you have a German work visa or Blue Card.
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Freelance developer rates in Berlin
Detailed information about what to charge your freelance client. This guide is frequently updated.
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How to join the Künstlersozialkasse (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.
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How VAT works in Germany
A guide to the value-added tax (VAT) for German freelancers and businesses.
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How being a Kleinunternehmer works
This guide explains what a Kleinunternehmer is, and when it makes sense to be one.
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What is the trade tax (Gewerbesteuer)?
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.
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Freiberufler or Gewerbe: what's the difference?
Learn the differences between being a freelancer (Freiberufler) and a tradesperson (Gewerbetreibender). It's not as easy as it seems!
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How to do your Gewerbeanmeldung in Berlin
The Gewerbeanmeldung is how you get a trade licence (Gewerbeschein) and register for the trade tax (Gewerbesteuer).
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How to run a website in Germany
The laws and regulations you must follow to run a website legally in Germany: the Impressum, analytics, cookie banners, GDPR, etc.
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My review of Kontist: it's not worth it
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.