The business plan Goals, financing and realisation – the business plan is your most important tool to convince partners and credit institutions of your company’s vision. You have found your business idea and want to put it into practice? Then you should prepare your start into self-employment . The most important instrument for this is the business plan. A business plan helps you to plan your project step by step. It is crucial if you want to convince someone of your business idea and plans – banks, for example, use the business plan to check whether they will grant you a loan. Advice to improve your business plan Get advice beforehand. An advisor can give you helpful tips on how to improve your business plan. You can find out how to write your business plan, what belongs in the plan and what else you need to consider on the pages of the start-up portal (External link) . You already know what should be in your business plan? Then the Platform for Founders (External link) will show you how to write it step by step. Are you wondering whether your business idea has been sufficiently thought through? Are you unsure of what your financial planning should look like? Then have a look at the checklists on the start-up portal (External link) . Advisory service Video: Setting up a business in Germany Information on the web Start-up Portal Checklist for your business plan IHK Berlin Short film summarizing the most important information about your business plan in a visual way Checklist

Recognition procedure How does the recognition procedure work? During the recognition procedure, the competent authority checks whether your qualification is equivalent to the German reference occupation. The recognition process determines the comparability of your qualification. Recognition is not always required - it depends on your profession and your qualification. In the section “ Who needs recognition? ”, you can find out whether the process applies to you. How does the recognition procedure work in Germany? During the recognition procedure , the respective competent authority in Germany checks whether your foreign qualification is equivalent to a German one or whether there are substantial differences. The procedure is also known as “equivalence assessment” ( Gleichwertigkeitsprüfung ). The competent authority assesses, generally within three to four months, your documents as soon as they have all been submitted. To find out exactly how the recognition procedure works and where you can get specific information about your profession in Germany, please use the Recognition Finder (External link) in the skilled-worker section of the “Anerkennung in Deutschland” portal. There you have the option to immediately start finning in your online application, if available. On the “ Anerkennung in Deutschland (External link) ” portal, you will also learn how the digital application process works and what you need to consider when filling out the application. Result of the recognition

Who needs recognition? Do I need recognition? Depending on your country of origin, profession and desired residence title, the recognition of your foreign qualification may be necessary. Find more detailed information below. Regulated professions You can only work in regulated professions in Germany if you have a very specific qualification. This, for example, applies to many professions in the fields of health care, legal advice, and teaching in state schools. There are also regulations for certain master craftworkers who run a business. In engineering professions, there is a regulation if the professional title of “engineer” is required for the occupation. To find out whether your profession is regulated in Germany, please use the Recognition Finder of “ Anerkennung in Deutschland (External link) ”. If you wish to work in one of these regulated professions in full capacity, your will generally require the recognition of your foreign qualification, regardless of your country of origin. For non-EU nationals, the full recognition is also a requirement for certain residence titles, such as the visa for qualified professionals or for most cases of the EU Blue Card . Moreover, no points must be scored for the opportunity card if the full recognition has been acquired. The recognition occurs in the framework of a so-called recognition procedure ; you will find detailed information on this in our “ Recognition procedure " section. In regulated professions, a licence to practise is

Politics, democracy, freedom You are moving to Germany and would like to know more about the country’s political system? This page provides you with an overview of the topic. Key facts at a glance Population 83.6 million Form of government Parliamentary democracy Capital Berlin Currency 1 euro (EUR) = 100 cents Safe and secure Since its founding, the Federal Republic of Germany has been a very politically stable country. The division of state authority prevents the abuse of power and legal security. This means, that the laws and the independent jurisdiction are reliable. Germany is one of the safest countries in the world. It is ranked 20 th out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index (External link) of 2025, and in the Corruption Perceptions Index (External link) of 2024 Germany is one of the fifteen countries most resistant to corruption. To preserve domestic peace and stability, the federal government invests a lot in security research. In case of emergency, there is a network of security authorities and rescue services ensuring the population’s safety and providing emergency services on a high technological and organisational level. Democracy Since the German nation state was founded in 1871, Germany has had a long history. There were many challenges, including the world wars and the dictatorship of the national socialists. The Federal Republic of Germany was founded in 1949, and it learned its lessons from its history. The 76-year-old Basic Law and a stable democracy

Learning German The German language is an important key to successfully settle down and to feel comfortable in Germany. We will show you what options you have to learn German – either in Germany or in your home country. Do I need to know German? Language classes Integration courses

Settling Here you can find information about everyday life in Germany. The section provides information on leisure activities, integration and settling in Germany. Leisure Find out how you can make a new life for yourself in Germany and get used to living and working here. Useful everyday knowledge What are the post office opening hours? How does waste sorting work? These FAQs tell you everything you need to know about everyday life in Germany.

Money & insurance How do you open a bank account in Germany? What do you have to consider in regard to medical insurance? Which other insurances should you take out? Here, you will find the answers. Bank account Health insurance Additional insurances

Housing & mobility How would you like to live and what is there to consider when signing a tenancy agreement? Is your driving license valid in Germany? Find answers to these questions in this category. Housing and registration Driving licence and mobility

Family life in Germany Germany places great importance on families. Here you can read more about family reunification, parenthood and the German school system. Financial support for families Child care School system & compulsory education

Work contract If you successfully applied for a job, the employment contract regulates the basic conditions of your future employment relationship. Find out what you need to pay attention to. In Germany, a written employment contract is the standard. It should contain information such as salary and holiday entitlement. Carefully read the contract before signing it. If there is something you do not understand, there is no need to fret: ask the HR department or the company's human resources manager. Make sure that all information is correct. What your employment contract should include Your employment contract must include the following information: Name and address of the employer and the employee. Inception of the contract: date on which you start as an employee of the company (i.e. when does the contract’s validity commence?). Time limit: is your contract limited to a certain period of time? If it is, when does the contract end? Probation period: how long is the probation period? This is the period in which you or the company can terminate the contract on short notice. Place of work: where are you going to work? If you will be working in different locations, it should be stated in the contract. Job description: what will your tasks in the company entail? Remuneration (salary): how much money will you earn for your work? Are there any additional allowances or bonuses, for example on Christmas or for working on weekends? When does the company pay your salary – at the end or at