Germany Self-employed Business Residence in Germany

Germany Self-employed Business Residence · Germany visa route

investment · last reviewed 2026-08-08 · all Germany routes

A route for establishing and running a business in Germany with economic interest, financing, and a positive economic effect.

Important notes

• Show an economic interest or regional demand for the proposed business and a positive expected economic effect.
• Provide a viable business plan and evidence of financing through own capital or an approved loan.
• Provide identity, accommodation, health-insurance, and, where applicable, pension-provision evidence; applicants over 45 have additional pension requirements.
• This is the business self-employment route, separate from freelance work in a liberal profession.

Official source

Official source: Make it in Germany

Also look at similar visas from these countries

🇩🇪 Germany Germany Freelance Residence A route for qualifying liberal-profession freelancers with project funding, professional permissions, and sufficient means. Open this route → 🇮🇹 Italy Italy Self-employed Work Visa A separate route for qualifying independent professional or business activity in Italy. Open this route → 🇳🇱 Netherlands Netherlands Self-employed Residence Permit A residence route for self-employed applicants whose business activity provides an essential economic contribution in the Netherlands. Open this route → 🇦🇹 Austria Red-White-Red Card for Self-employed Key Workers A route for self-employed activity that creates a wider economic benefit in Austria. Open this route →

Visa rules change frequently. This page is a research guide, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the official source before applying.