---
title: "Germany Self-employed permit requirements 2026: 3-year stay"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/self-employment-21/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Germany · Business / Startup

# Germany Self-employed permit

**First stay:** 3 yrs

Residence permit for self-employment (section 21 AufenthG)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **First stay:** 3 yrs (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.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.)
- **Spouse work:** Can work (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.)

## Key facts

Self-employed permit is a business / startup route for Germany. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Government fees:** €100 ≈ $110 · €75 ≈ $84
- **First stay:** 3 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

**Government fees: €100 ≈ $110 · €75 ≈ $84**

- EUR 100 (≈ $110) Fee for issuing the residence permit, regardless of validity.
- EUR 75 (≈ $84) Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries.

**Renewal: Renewable**

The permit is limited to at most three years and can be extended while the business continues.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__21.html)

**Permanent residence: After 3 years of residence**

A settlement permit may be granted after 3 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; the usual 60 months of pension contributions are not required on this route.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__21.html)

**Citizenship: After 5 years of residence**

Naturalisation needs 5 years of lawful habitual residence, secured livelihood, German at level B1 and a commitment to the democratic order.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stag/__10.html)

**Where to apply: From abroad**

Apply for a national visa at the German mission abroad; nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, the UK and the US can enter visa-free and apply in Germany within 90 days.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__21.html) [Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__41.html)

**Presence rules: Stay rule**

The residence permit expires if you leave Germany and do not return within six months, unless the authority sets a longer period.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__51.html)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Applications are made from outside Germany, not after arriving
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is a third-country national.
- There is an economic interest or regional need for the business.
- A positive effect on the economy is expected.
- Applicants over 45 need adequate old-age provision.
- Graduates of German universities and certain researchers or Blue Card holders qualify under a softened test (section 21(2a)).

#### What you must show

- Financing is secured by equity or a credit commitment; the law sets no fixed capital amount.

#### Steps

1. Viability, experience, capital invested, employment effects and innovation contribution are assessed.
2. Local chambers and trade offices are consulted.
3. A scholarship-funded founding stay of up to 18 months is possible for skilled workers (section 21(2b)).

## When you become tax resident

How Germany decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **Up to 3 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** A continuous stay of more than six months counts as habitual abode from the start (section 9 AO), unless it is solely for a visit, recreation, cure or similar private purpose and lasts no longer than one year; a dwelling kept available for use creates a domicile (section 8 AO).
- **Foreign-source income:** Residents are taxed on worldwide income.

[All tax rules for Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

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. (sources 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. (source 7)
- A fee of EUR 75 (≈ $84) · Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries. (source 8)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is a third-country national. (sources 1, 2)
- There is an economic interest or regional need for the business. (source 1)
- A positive effect on the economy is expected. (source 1)
- Applicants over 45 need adequate old-age provision. (source 1)
- Graduates of German universities and certain researchers or Blue Card holders qualify under a softened test (section 21(2a)). (source 1)
- Financing is secured by equity or a credit commitment; the law sets no fixed capital amount. (sources 1, 2)
- Viability, experience, capital invested, employment effects and innovation contribution are assessed. (sources 1, 2)
- Local chambers and trade offices are consulted. (sources 1, 2)
- A scholarship-funded founding stay of up to 18 months is possible for skilled workers (section 21(2b)). (source 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](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__21.html) · 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)](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/resource/blob/207816/5f5be4158ee61f51115a2a32e2885c67/visumhandbuch-data.pdf) · Federal Foreign Office · checked 2026-10-10
3. [AufenthG § 4a Zugang zur Erwerbstätigkeit](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__4a.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
4. [AufenthG § 30 Ehegattennachzug](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__30.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Family reunification with third-country nationals (Nachzug zu Drittstaatsangehörigen)](https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Familie/NachzugZuDrittstaatlern/nachzug-zu-drittstaatlern-node.html) · Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) · checked 2026-10-12
6. [AufenthG § 29 Familiennachzug zu Ausländern](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__29.html) · 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](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__45.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
8. [Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 46: fees for the visa](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__46.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
9. [Nationality Act (StAG) section 10: naturalisation after lawful residence](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stag/__10.html) · 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](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__41.html) · Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de · checked 2026-10-12
11. [AufenthG section 51: expiry of residence titles](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__51.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11

## Self-employed permit and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Self-employed permit | – | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| [Freelancer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/freelance-21-5/) | – | – | – |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/startup-visa-89-4/) Portugal | Needs savings of €6,446+ ≈ $7,200 | 2 yr, renewable | – |
| [Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/entrepreneur-visa/) Spain | – | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/startup-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €50k+ ≈ $56k | 1 yr, renewable | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Self-employed permit?

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

### How long can I stay on the Self-employed permit?

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.

### Can I work on the Self-employed permit?

Self-employed activity.

### Can I bring my family on the Self-employed permit?

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.

### Who can apply for the Self-employed permit?

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.

### Does the Self-employed permit lead to permanent residence in Germany?

Time on the Self-employed permit counts toward permanent residence in Germany, which the rules allow after 3 years of residence. Time on the Self-employed permit counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence.

### How are Self-employed permit holders taxed in Germany?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Self-employed permit. The standard rules apply: Residents are taxed on worldwide income. The 2026 tariff is zero up to EUR12,348, (≈ $13,800) rising progressively to a 42% marginal rate from EUR69,879 (≈ $78,100) and 45% from EUR277,826 (≈ $310,000).

## More in Germany

[Opportunity Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/opportunity-card-job-search/) [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/working-holiday/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/eu-blue-card/) [Intra-company transfer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/ict-card-19/) [Experienced professional permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/experienced-professional-19c2/) [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/researcher-18d/) [Skilled worker · degree](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/skilled-worker-18b/) [Skilled worker · vocational](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/skilled-worker-18a/)

## Business / startup visas elsewhere

[🇬🇷 Business investor permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/business-investment-b2/) [🇫🇷 Entrepreneur / freelancer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/entrepreneur-liberal/) [🇬🇧 Innovator Founder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/innovator-founder/) [🇳🇱 DAFT self-employed](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/daft-self-employed/) [🇨🇾 Startup visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/startup-visa/) [🇦🇱 Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/self-employed/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 11 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [AufenthG section 21 self-employment](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__21.html) · 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)](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/resource/blob/207816/5f5be4158ee61f51115a2a32e2885c67/visumhandbuch-data.pdf) · Federal Foreign Office · checked 2026-10-10
3. [AufenthG § 4a Zugang zur Erwerbstätigkeit](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__4a.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
4. [AufenthG § 30 Ehegattennachzug](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__30.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Family reunification with third-country nationals (Nachzug zu Drittstaatsangehörigen)](https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Familie/NachzugZuDrittstaatlern/nachzug-zu-drittstaatlern-node.html) · Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) · checked 2026-10-12
6. [AufenthG § 29 Familiennachzug zu Ausländern](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__29.html) · 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](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__45.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
8. [Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 46: fees for the visa](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__46.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
9. [Nationality Act (StAG) section 10: naturalisation after lawful residence](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stag/__10.html) · 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](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__41.html) · Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de · checked 2026-10-12
11. [AufenthG section 51: expiry of residence titles](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__51.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.