Citizen of Honduras: Setting up a Business in Germany?

Frage

I am a citizen of Honduras and I currently own an education agency and recruit students for German universities and German language schools. I am also cooperating with a GmbH established in Germany to recruit for foreign qualified doctors to work or study in Germany. My husband and I own the company and we have two children. We would love to base our work in Germany completely online and continue to recruit students from Latin American countries. We do not charge our clients fees. We are paid by the universities, which we represent. What would be the processes for us to settle in Germany as a family and continue operating our business? It clearly affects the German economy because we bring students who will spend funds in studying and living while their studies. We do not have employees, it is all managed by my husband and me and would not need to hire anyone or have an office.

Antwort

Thank you for your inquiry and your interest in setting up a business in Germany. Make it in Germany provides international professionals with information on working and living in Germany.

As a citizen of Honduras, in order to set up a business in Germany, you will need a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment (“Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung einer selbständigen Tätigkeit”).

As you are still living in Honduras, you need to apply for a visa for the purpose of self-employed occupation at the German mission in your home country before entering Germany. You can find the corresponding local contact on our “world map”.

Please note that the visa applied for must correspond to the actual purpose of the stay. For example, a visa issued for a short stay does not allow for permanent residence. Please note that, due to the pandemic situation, German authorities and public institutions may only be accessible to a limited extent - this may also apply to your foreign mission. You can obtain current information here.

Generally, to apply for a visa, several criteria need to be met. This depends on whether you

work as a freelancer (“Freiberufler”)
or wish to set up a business as a self-employed entrepreneur (“Gewerbe”)

Being self-employed or a freelancer makes a difference regarding certain formalities and has an impact on your company’s legal structure. Here you will find out more about the two different ways of setting up a business.

Moreover, to work as a self-employed professional the same conditions apply for Germans. Please find out about these regulations.

For further questions on visa and entry regulations, please contact the experts of the hotline “Working and Living in Germany”. Telephone number +49 30 1815 – 1111. The hotline offers personal advice in German or English. General information on visa processes are available on “Make it in Germany”.

Keep in mind, as you are operating in Germany, a good command of the German language is important. When preparing to set up your business, you will learn that many official documents are available in German only. If your German is not good enough yet, you should take a language course, before you set up your business. Some advanced courses focus business German.

Please note that “Make it in Germany” does not issue or support any visa application even if you may be qualified for that. The information presented on “Make it in Germany” is a general service offering. Only the German missions and the foreigner’s authorities are responsible for the issuance of visa and residence permits. For further questions, please contact directly the respective authority.

Reference: Justina Godesberg
Projekt „Make it in Germany“
Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft Köln e.V.
Juni 2020

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