If you want to quit your job to start a business or become a freelancer, you might need a different residence permit. Usually, you must apply for a freelance visa.
This guide shows you how to go from employee to freelancer. It’s based on my personal experience.
Side business with a work visa
If you can, start your business before you quit your job. You have more time to register your business, find clients, and prepare for the transition. You need at least a few weeks to register your business and apply for the freelance visa.
How to start a business in Germany
Does your residence permit allow it?
If you need a residence permit to live in Germany, check if it allows self-employment. Check your Zusatzblatt.
Residence permits for self-employment
Some residence permits allow part time self-employment. You must keep your job, and it must be your main source of income. To be self-employed full time, you might need to apply for a freelance visa.
Does your job allow freelancing?
You do not need permission from your employer to have a side business,1 but there are exceptions:
- If you are a civil servant, soldier or judge, you need permission from their employer.
- If your work contract prevents you from having a side business.1 Each work contract is different.
Apply for the freelance visa
Next, you must apply for the freelance visa. This can take many weeks.
The freelance visa will replace your current residence permit. You can’t have both at the same time. When you get your freelance visa, your old residence permit will become invalid. If your freelance visa does not allow employment, you must stop working for your employer.
Tell your health insurer
When you are an employee, your employer pays half of your health insurance. When you are self-employed, you pay the full amount yourself. This means that your health insurance will be twice as expensive.
Let's find the right health insurance. What is your occupation?
Tell us a bit more about you…
It helps us calculate prices and recommend the right health insurance.
Need help choosing?
You can switch to private health insurance. It can be better and cheaper than public health insurance. I switched, and I save around €600 per month. It’s a complex decision. Ask my insurance expert if it makes sense for you.
How to choose German health insurance
When you are an employee, health insurance is taken from your paycheck. When you are self-employed, you pay by bank transfer every month. The cost of public health insurance is based on your estimated income. It’s adjusted every year when you prove your real income.
Need help?
Where to ask immigration questions
Where to ask business questions