5 steps for starting a business Start your self-employment journey successfully: Here you can find the most important steps to make your individual start-up project a success. 1. Register your business Before you set up a business in Germany, you must complete a number of formalities. These also depend on whether you want to work on a self-employed (gewerblich) or freelance (freiberuflich) basis. Freelancers must register with the tax office ( Finanzamt) . If you want to register as a self-emplo...

Unemployment You have lost your job? No problem! If you worked in Germany before, you will receive support. If you have yet to find a job, register with your local employment agency (Arbeitsagentur) If you are not taking up employment immediately upon your return to Germany, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits . You will need to visit your local employment agency in person to register. If you are not residing in Germany, you do not have to notify the agency three months prior to the en...

Health insurance In Germany, you are required to take out health insurance. We will give you an overview of the types of health insurance and their services. In Germany, it is compulsory to take out health insurance. A distinction is made between statutory and private health insurance. These are two different systems and you cannot switch between them freely. It is advisable to take out international health insurance for the first few days or weeks of your stay in Germany before you have health...

Study and work Many students work part-time during their studies to earn some extra money. Find out how to juggle studying and working here. Student jobs and internships Many students in Germany have jobs in their spare time. Some may work as research assistants in universities, research institutes or libraries, while others may work as waiters or babysitters. International students also have the opportunity to work in addition to studying. Students from third countries are permitted to work up...

Bank account How do I open a bank account in Germany? We explain what you need to consider when opening an account. If you plan on living in Germany long term, you require a German bank account ( current account ) to rent a flat or to receive your salary via bank transfer, for instance. But you will also be able to use your debit card (Girokarte) in your day-to-day life, for example, to pay at the supermarket. You can use you debit card in other countries in Europe which use the euro as currency...

Additional insurances Safety first: find out which insurances you should take out in Germany. Liability insurance Liability insurance pays if you damage or destroy another person's belongings. For example, if you break a vase or spill coffee on a friend's smartphone. Most Germans have that kind of insurance because it is inexpensive and protects you from having to pay for the damage with your own money. Household contents insurance This insurance covers all items inside your house or flat. For e...

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...

Child care Every child is entitled to childcare in order to receive individual support. Find out here what types of childcare exist. Early support for children in child daycare facilities is an important contribution to equal opportunities. Children can build relationships with their peers and benefit from age-appropriate educational programmes. Early childhood educators support and accompany them in this process. Through a variety of offers, activities and different pedagogical approaches, they...

Settlement permit Would you like to stay in Germany on a permanent basis? Find out about the requirements for obtaining a settlement permit. A settlement permit opens many doors. You can live in Germany with your family without any restrictions. You can also take up employment or be self-employed. Are you already working and living in Germany on a temporary residence permit and would like to stay here permanently? As a skilled worker , you may, under certain conditions, be able to apply for a pe...

Types of new businesses In Germany, there are two ways of setting up a business, either commercially or freelance. Here you can find out which business type suits your plans. Self-employed or freelance? In Germany, there are two ways of setting up a business . You are either self-employed or a freelancer. This depends on the occupation you are engaged in. Your status of being self-employed or a freelancer has an impact in regard to certain formalities as well as the legal structure of your busin...