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Residence permit for the purpose of self-employment - Issuance -
A residence permit for a self-employed occupation may be issued for
- Founder of a company,
- Sole proprietor and
- Managing directors and legal representatives of partnerships and corporations, if they have entrepreneurial responsibility.
Prerequisites
- Main residence in Berlin
-
Economic interest of the state of Berlin
A foreigner may be granted a residence permit for the pursuit of a self-employed occupation if
- an economic interest or a regional need exists,
- the occupation is expected to have a positive impact on the economy and
- the implementation is financed by equity or a loan commitment.
-
For university graduates, researchers and scientists
Another examination standard applies to foreigners who
- have successfully completed a course of study in Germany at a state, state-recognised or comparable training institution, or
- work as a researcher or scientist in Germany and hold a residence permit.
-
Adequate pension plan (only if you have already completed the 45th year of life)
The following applies from 1 July 2024:
Perspectively, at the age of 67, you must have
- either a monthly pension of 1,565.03 euros (for at least 12 years)
- or an asset amount of 225,364.00 euros.
(Note: An adequate pension is always necessary for the issuance of a permanent settlement permit - regardless of age or nationality.) -
Adequate health insurance
You have health insurance in Germany, either in the statutory health insurance system or a comparable private health insurance.
Foreign health insurance is generally not sufficient. For more information, please read the leaflet (see section "More information"). -
Personal appearance by appointment is required
- To make an appointment, please contact the relevant department using the contact form (see section "More information").
- If possible, please send your appointment request 8 weeks before your current residence permit expires.
Documents required
-
Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, English, French, Italian
(see section "Forms")
Only required for first-time application - Valid passport
-
1 current biometric photo
- From May 1, 2025, biometric passport photos may only be taken digitally directly in the authorities or in photo studios and transmitted by secure electronic means.
- Please check the website of the Berlin Immigration Office (see “More information”) in good time before your appointment for the current status.
-
Businessplan
You can find tips for creating your business plan, for example, on the start-up portal of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy - BMWi (see section "More information"). -
Financing plan
(see ‘Forms’) -
Resume / Curriculum vitae
Details of professional career, qualification certificates, diploma, references/sponsors -
For university graduates: A statement by the university
A statement by the university regarding the knowledge acquired in higher education and the connection to the business idea - For university graduates: Degree from a state-recognised university or comparable training institution in Germany (Original)
-
For researchers and scientists: A statement of the previous employer
A statement of the previous employer (e.g. research institution) on the connection between the occupation as researcher/scientist and the business idea -
Excerpt from the Trade Register - Handelsregisterauszug (Original)
However, at least the application for registration in the commercial register via a notary public; in the original -
Trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung)
Only if no entry in the trade register is required; in the original -
Health insurance
- If you have statutory health insurance: electronic health card and a current confirmation from the health insurance company stating the contribution to be paid
- In the case of private health insurance: certificate from the insurer regarding the scope and costs of the insurance in accordance with § 257 Para. 2a SGB V. V. Please point out to your insurer that you need the certificate for a residence permit for self-employment
- Lease or proof of home ownership
-
Housing costs (Original)
Proof of the monthly rental costs (e.g. current account statement) or costs of the inhabited property; in each case in original form -
Adequate pension plan (only if you have already completed the 45th year of life)
You can provide evidence of adequate retirement benefits (see section "Prerequisites") by:
- an offer from a private pension or life insurer,
- own assets,
- acquired pension rights or
- operating assets
-
Proof of your residence in Berlin
- Certificate of registration at the main residence or
- lease and written confirmation of occupancy from the landlord
Forms
- Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, English, French, Italian
- Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, Greek, Turkish, Vietnamese
- Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian
- Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, Serbian, Bosnian
- Financing plan
Fees
- 100.00 euros
- From the age of 24 years: 37.00 euros
- Until the age of 24 years: 22.80 euros
Legal basis
Average time to process request
After the appointment, it takes at least 4 weeks until the residence permit is issued as an electronic residence permit and can be collected.
More information
- Contact forms for making an appointment (Berlin Immigration Office)
- Digital passport photos for residence documents from 01.05.2025 (Berlin Immigration Office)
- Gründen in Berlin – Die Gründungsbroschüre (Industrie- und Handelskammer zu Berlin)
- Business start-up portal - Existenzgründungsportal (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie)
- Health insurance leaflet (Berlin Immigration Office)
- Certificate of registration at the main residence (Melde-Bestätigung)
- Example: confirmation of occupancy from the landlord (Wohnungsgeber-Bestätigung)
- Permanent settlement permit for self-employed persons (service)
- Residence permit for a freelance employment - Issuance (service)
Your point of contact
Download
Related services
- Opportunity card (Chancenkarte)
- Residence permit for a freelance employment - Issuance
- Residence permit for participation in a voluntary service
- Residence permit for qualified skilled workers with an academic education
- Residence permit for qualified skilled workers with vocational training
- Residence permit for research purposes
- Residence permit for the employment of certain nationals
- Residence permit to seek for a job following a stay in Germany
Service hotline 115
Bürgertelefon 115 - Ihr telefonischer Zugang zur Verwaltung: (030) 115; Montag - Freitag, 07:00 - 18:00 Uhr
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