How to Move to Germany as a Freelancer
Freelancing in Germany is on the rise! Each and every year, more and more workers are switching to self-employment, drawn in by exciting project opportunities and the benefits of remote work and a healthier work-life balance.
From teachers and translators to copywriters and architects, Germany currently has 1.5 million freelancers applying their trade on the freelance market. To find out how you can join this growing cohort of freelance professionals in Germany, follow our checklist below.
Freelance Visa
Unless you are an EU/EEA citizen, you will need a Freelance Visa before you can start working as a freelancer in Germany.
For instructions on how to apply for the visa at an immigration office in Germany, see our Freelance Visa Guide.
If you are instead applying for the German Freelance Visa before arriving in Germany, get in touch with your local German embassy or consulate in your home country for application instructions.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is mandatory for freelancers in Germany. This is also one of the key requirements for successfully applying for a German Freelance Visa.
In theory, freelancers in Germany can choose between:
To find out which policy is most suitable for you, see our German Health Insurance Guide.
Accommodation
When first arriving in Germany as a freelancer, you will of course need a place to live. To ensure you have suitable accommodation from day 1, we recommend that you initially book a short-term, furnished apartment before arriving in Germany.
Once in Germany, you will then have plenty of time to navigate Germany’s vast rental market and secure a long-term place to call home. To explore your options, see our German Apartment Hunting Guide.
Once you have found suitable accommodation in Germany, it is essential that you complete your address registration (Anmeldung). For further guidance, see our German Anmeldung Guide.
Banking
As a freelancer in Germany, you will want a euro bank account in order to get paid for your work and to avoid poor exchange rates and eye-watering international bank fees.
For freelancers, our favourite banking option is Wise because it is free, allows you to get paid in multiple currencies and comes with a debit Mastercard that can be used throughout Germany.
To explore alternative banking options in Germany, check out our German Banking Guide.
German Liability Insurance
While not mandatory, we believe everyone in Germany (including freelancers!) should have personal liability insurance. This insurance covers you in the event of personal injury or property damage to a third party. Without this, even fairly innocuous accidents and mishaps can have grave financial consequences.
When it comes to personal liability insurance providers, our favourite policy is with Feather. For further information about the benefits of private liability insurance and why you should have it when living in Germany as a freelancer, see our Private Liability Insurance Guide.
Freelance Tax Number
Known as a Steuernummer in Germany, you need a freelance tax number to invoice clients in Germany and to fulfil your tax obligations with the tax office (Finanzamt).
The quickest and easiest way to apply for your freelance tax number is via Sorted, who offer a free registration tool and will even take care of submitting your application for a freelance tax number to your local tax office.
➕ For more tips, see our article on how to get started as a freelancer in Germany.