Germany Self-employed permit

Permit to run a business where there is an economic interest or regional need, a positive effect on the economy is expected and financing is secured by equity or a credit commitment. Business-idea viability, experience, capital invested, employment effects and innovation contribution are assessed, with local chambers and trade offices consulted. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6}

What you must show and pay

• A fee of EUR 100 (≈ $110) · Fee for issuing the residence permit, regardless of validity. ⁷
• A fee of EUR 75 (≈ $84) · Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries. ⁸

Requirements

• The applicant is a third-country national. ^{1 2}
• There is an economic interest or regional need for the business. ¹
• A positive effect on the economy is expected. ¹
• Applicants over 45 need adequate old-age provision. ¹
• Graduates of German universities and certain researchers or Blue Card holders qualify under a softened test (section 21(2a)). ¹
• Financing is secured by equity or a credit commitment; the law sets no fixed capital amount. ^{1 2}
• Viability, experience, capital invested, employment effects and innovation contribution are assessed. ^{1 2}
• Local chambers and trade offices are consulted. ^{1 2}
• A scholarship-funded founding stay of up to 18 months is possible for skilled workers (section 21(2b)). ¹

Stay

• Permit limited to at most three years; a settlement permit may be granted after three years of self-employment if the business is successful, income secures your livelihood and that of dependent family members, and no public-security or public-order reasons stand against it.
• First stay: up to 36 months, decided case by case.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Work

Self-employed activity.

Family

The spouse can join if the marriage existed when the permit was issued and the stay will exceed one year; proof of simple German (A1) is waived. Minor unmarried children can join under section 32. Your spouse or partner may work in Germany without a separate permit.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. AufenthG section 21 self-employment · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-10
2. Visa Handbook (Visumhandbuch): subsistence table (valid from 09/2025), Opportunity Card (01/2025), Working Holiday (06/2026) · Federal Foreign Office · checked 2026-10-10
3. AufenthG § 4a Zugang zur Erwerbstätigkeit · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
4. AufenthG § 30 Ehegattennachzug · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
5. Family reunification with third-country nationals (Nachzug zu Drittstaatsangehörigen) · Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) · checked 2026-10-12
6. AufenthG § 29 Familiennachzug zu Ausländern · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
7. Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 45: fees for the residence permit, Blue Card EU and ICT card · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
8. Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 46: fees for the visa · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
9. Nationality Act (StAG) section 10: naturalisation after lawful residence · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
10. Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV) section 41: privileged nationals who may obtain the residence title after entry · Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de · checked 2026-10-12
11. AufenthG section 51: expiry of residence titles · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11