4 Steps To Start A Small Business In Germany [Side Hustle]

Learn the steps you need to take to start a side hustle in Germany.
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⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:41 - Check Your Residence Permit
03:29 - Freelancer vs. Trade Sole-proprietor
08:19 - Register With the Tax Authorities
09:51 - Open Your Business Bank Account
12:29 - Overview of Business Tax in Germany
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We know how frustrating and painful it might be to move to a new country, especially if you don't fully speak the language. That's why we created Simple Germany.
Simple Germany provides tips & information in English about living in Germany as an expat. We talk about services that are friendly and easy to use to beat German bureaucracy. We also cover the cultural aspects of living in Germany. All of this brought to you from the eyes of an expat and a German duo. We want to help you settle in Germany more smoothly.🍻
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[@ammarburhani8328]

this video came out at exactly right time.. I am in the process of setting up my shopify store to sell goods online.. Thanks Simple Germany! You do make life easier.. hehehe

[@melraybee]

This has been so helpful! Thank you! 😊

[@TalhoEvenstar]

Another informative video. Thank you!

[@rohantaneja]

Thank you for making this video. Valuable information!

[@AnelyBek]

You guys are the best! Thank you!

[@lindapertiwi1600]

This is really great and beyond helpful video Thank you so much!

[@RanitaVideos]

Thank you so much! I was feeling very overwhelmed and this help create an action plan

[@mak8972]

Thank you so much for this video! It's beyond helpful. You made the german bureaucratic jungle much less scary to enter ❤

[@elenaollero8588]

This channel is the best!!! You're making everyone life so much easier!! Toi toi toi! Keep it up and thank you so much 🙏🏻❤

[@fabrizioollargiu5530]

In few-minutes-only you gave me the answers and infos that I have been looking for weeks (probably much more). Unbelievable video, thank you :)

[@zeerakkhan274]

Great informative video 🫶🏻

[@cathalmeenagh4423]

Thanks so much for this!!

[@thewebconsultant]

what do you sell in Germany?

[@ayushsharan9083]

Great video again. Thanks for putting this out. Both of you are doing an outstanding job by putting great meaningful content out here. Is it important to do all of the procedures before one starts generating income or can they wait until they really start generating a regular cashflow to do all of the formalities?

[@hebatallaabouzeid9980]

the most useful channel on youtube great work

[@bijanzohouri98]

Thx for sharing this

[@virg79]

Amazing video! So useful and inspiring to start a side hustle. ❤

[@thewebconsultant]

I have ideas for you!

[@user-cx8bp9pr8y]

Such a good & nice information, much better than other platform. Thanks a lot 🤓🤓😃😃

[@FreyaIvy]

Can someone please help me I've been looking for things to do, I got my LLC started and my credit score is about a 560 i am not getting anywhere. Am homeless living in my truck. I need help please someone help me.

[@laureneastwood5936]

I so love the outtakes! 😂😊

[@eranbenavraham]

Love your content. I'm Australian and my partner is German. I will move to Germany soon to marry. After watching your awesome channel, I don't feel like moving to Germany, permanently. Too many rules and regulations. Sounds like a nightmare place to live.

[@simplegermany]

That highly depends on where you are coming from and what you are looking for 😉 and yes, it’s not for everyone.

[@stevedaniel7065]

I'm Kiwi and my wife is German. I've found these regulations very unclear and often the government people don't agree on the correct rules XD

[@thericksbuhaygermany726]

Thank you.. great help….

[@Dunklekarte]

Kinda jealous of the Americans and their lack of bureaucracy to start a business

[@juliarays1271]

Hola from Düsseldorf chicas! Danke sehr. Helpful.

[@fannychristozova8158]

Really well presented and completely adaptable! I do consider starting something of my own in Germany - in time. or after I settle with my pace of life and ideas and... you know how it is. I spotted a few new visuals in this video, like the disclaimer and the editing brings more dynamics. The bloopers were cool too, but did you also debut a new piece of SG clothing? 👚🤩

[@simplegermany]

Well spotted! Hihi - it was actually a first try before the smoothly shirts. We just have a couple of them and thought, why not wear them after all 😉

[@fannychristozova8158]

@@simplegermany Yea.. I saw your reply to a previous comment, only after I posted mine. But hey, you do know it will certainly be worth it and pay off, at any moment now or as a future merch to your consideration! I'm happy you decided to wear it on camera!

[@katherinealexandre8064]

15:53 thank you for this and all your videos they are always helpful. I shared your investment video with the hubby and he loved it so much he opened an account with DKB (I think that’s who they are) It was also great meeting you at Aldi the other day❤😊…. I needed this information so I can put my TEFL certificates to good use, especially the Business English one😅.

[@chathulasampath3257]

This is a great video. I have a plan to open a resturant. Can you create a video about the procedure?

[@fernandapostal5077]

Love all your videos! This one specially answered all the questions that I had about how to open a small business (legally speaking). Thank you! Just got you a coffee ;) Enjoy it and keep up with the good content fun vibes! :D

[@simplegermany]

Thank you so much for supporting us!

[@vladimirvoskanyan7861]

Hello, first of all I want to thank you. I am here already one year and every time I struggle I get my answers in your videos. Keep the good job. My question: I am a Creative Marketing Manager working with remote clients abroad, how can i check if my specialization is considered as a trade or freelance? Is there an up-to-date list? Thanks in advance.

[@me0101001000]

I'm a grad student, and I've got a side hustle of busking in the Innerstadt of my country. I really appreciate all of this! Thanks!!

[@simplegermany]

Cool, what kind of music do you play? 😊

[@me0101001000]

@@simplegermany most of my performances entail an art form called poi, where I swing LEDs at the end of chords in each of my hands in different patterns to leave trails of light in the air. Makes for a cool sight in the evenings :)

[@simplegermany]

Oh wow, sounds super interesting!

[@RenatoGjonej]

Hi,have you made any video of how to change tax class? Thanks for every video,they are all really helpful 😊

[@simplegermany]

We have a detailed guide on the tax classes including how to change it: www.simplegermany.com/tax-class-germany/

[@TMD21Apr09]

I appreciate your videos. One funny thing but that I see it as love factor. Yvonne looks at you very lovably and observes you looking at your mouth while you (Jen) speak 😂.

[@markrussell4682]

Just FYI, these rules are sometimes different in Berlin. For example, in Berlin, one can get an artist visa not available anywhere else in Germany.

[@labrujulademama]

Gracias por su contenido. Super explicado, qué pasa con los productos digitales, como se consideran? Y si Tengo una mezcla de asesorias con productsoa digitales me convendria freelance?

[@perla8888]

Thank you for all the information that you bring to us. I am a german citizen living in the USA, and I am planning on moving back to Germany within the next 5 years. Once in germany, I would like to start my own business offering hair removal services (electrology/nadelepilation). I would appreciate it if you had any information on this field. 😊

[@lifeadventure859]

Thanks for video! Just in time ♥️🇺🇦

[@thewebconsultant]

What products/services do you have in Germany?

[@pourdamghani]

Oh, is there going to be a new merch dropping by soon? I see your logo on your T-Shirt, Jen :D

[@simplegermany]

Well spotted! Hihi - it was actually a first try before the smoothly shirts. We just have a couple of them and thought, why not wear them after all 😉

[@pourdamghani]

@@simplegermany Aha, I see. 😊Maybe you can create a contest/quiz/... and have these remaining t-shirts as the prize, or maybe send them to the first person that spotted them 😁

[@Julia_001]

Thanks

[@omid_tavakoli]

Thanks for the useful content. How much Gernan langusge do I need to do business as an expat in Germany?

[@DanielTubul]

lol that was the most complicated aspect with living in Germany that made me go back 3 times :P

[@deegnis]

Hey Ladies, thanks a lot for your content - really helpful! the idea of having a side hustle comes more and more often to my mind. However, I might be in a tricky situation but you might already have a hint for me about it :) So the point is, I would like to turn my woodworking hobby workshop into an official business (which would be a kleigewerbe) but in addition to that I also run an KZbin channel where I post my DIY projects. Now, do you have any idea if both income sources can be associated with the kleingewerbe? or is there another "mandatory" field of activity to be associated with social media (youtube) income? Many thanks and keep up the good work!

[@Reizo27]

hi, such an informative video. i really appreciate the efforts you have given for this video. so, i was planning to start a dropshipping business here in germany and while looking for the informations i found out your video! so, my question is : are international students allowed to do dropshipping in germnay?

[@niveskurjak7290]

What happens if you primarly offer a service, have a youtube channel and also sell trough etsy or any kind a type of trade? Great video btw!

[@simplegermany]

The last part of your sentence hints at Gewerbe. But you need to ask a tax consultant for personal advice 😉

[@yaserhu]

Thank you both for this nice Video. I saw few days ago and thought of returning with more specific questions. I do marketing and media planning. So what if I want to start with 2 activities under same registration form- one towards freelancing in Upwork and Fiverr as a consultant, which can means selling ads in some scenarios? The second activity could be a service website or ecommerce/shopify/ affiliate or adsense. The reason for me saying this is not sure, what will work, everyone has to do some testing. The second main question, some of business transactions could be for another country. Example someone from UK want to buy a service in South Africa or Egypt, and I help them with that. Should this amount be also subject to tax or VAT- because except for me who is based in Germany the transaction with those 2 parties was outside Germany. Thank you

[@halatrejulien7613]

Hi, thank you again for all the videos and all tips about living in Germany. I have been through the article on your website, and i have just a question regarding the taxes. If we follow your example, the businesse is doing 102k€ in profit, but i do not want getting out the money of the business (so no income for me because i could count on the revenu of my wife for example). Does it mean that i have just to pay only the trade tax and the solidaridy tax ? Thank you for your reply ? and again thank you so much for sharing so much information in germany :)

[@simplegermany]

Profit is always taxed, regardless of whether it stays in the company or not. The tax rate depends on the identity of the company (sole proprietor, GmbH, etc). Please consult a tax advisor for more individual advice, through the partners that we mention in the video.

[@meteic]

First of all thank you for great content, I am newly getting to know your channel but it is seriously clear and informative. I have a question because somehow I feel like I heard this in a conversation. Would there be a problem if my "side business income" passes my "main income"?

[@simplegermany]

It depends on your individual situation, what your residence permit allows, what your employer allows....

[@knoz35]

Thanks for clarification! Very clear instructions. One question though, what happens when you make social media accounts and gain a lot of followers or you reach a point that you can monetize your videos?

[@simplegermany]

When you reach that point you need to register a Gewerbe, as we explain in the video 😊

[@knoz35]

@@simplegermany Thanks a lot for the quick reply! Do you know if this work/side hustle affects student part time work time? As you know, we are only allowed to work 20 hours per week. I wondered if it reduces the hours from there. Sorry if I miss it in the video :/

[@Bluebird2429]

Great video if I wanted to try out many forms of self emplyment like programming or designing , buy and resell products or sell my own product would I have to do the same process for each one of them seperately or one would be enough thanks.

[@simplegermany]

That depends on your interpretation and how you want to do business. Best to talk to an expert 😉

[@Bluebird2429]

@@simplegermany I see thanks anyway

[@SNEHDENCARDOSO]

Please make a video on how to learn German

[@RyanBorzoo]

First i wanna express how much i love you guys for making this video, thanks a lot!!! Second, If I come to Germany by language visa can I apply for the Gewerbeamt to run my KZbin and Facebook businesses?

[@simplegermany]

Most likely not as you visa will be tied to being a language student. But it depends what your residence permit states as we explain at the beginning of the video.

[@ilzevitola2354]

super

[@Leaf219]

I was wondering then starting freelance. If you knew learning skills experiencing. You need to repot right away but you dont know if it works or you will do anything with it? Or is it specific amount limit then you earn you should report? Makes no sense if you make just couple bucks?

[@alantaha]

Great video just on time I was researching about this :) My Zusatblatt indicates that "selbständige tätigkeit erlaubt nach 2 jahre" but I am not sure when does this "2 years" start? wheter it starts the moment I arrived to Germany or it starts with the date on the zusatblatt or the date in my residence permit. Because all 3 dates are different. I already asked this to Auslenderbehörde but if anyone has expereince, feel free to enlighten me.

[@simplegermany]

Good question! Could you please share the answer with us once you have it 😊

[@alantaha]

@@simplegermany So I found out that the date you began working in Germany is the base date for counting these 2 years or 5 years marks.

[@emmalexrelaxingsounds7403]

I had an online work in this case teachin online before moving to Germany. Does this affect any of my tax situation here? I keep receiving payments from abroad via my new German Bank Acc. Thanks for the info!!

[@simplegermany]

Any income you receive plays a role, also if it comes from abroad. You should seek professional tax advice.

[@haghighi251]

If somebody wants to start/have a business in another country like in their own country at the same time when they are working as an employee in Germany, Do they need to get any kind of permission from their employer in Germany?

[@biankavarnai2499]

Can I be a freelancer as a life coach? Is it regulated in Germany? Do I need to have professional education in life coaching?

[@anas6435]

Thanks for the valuable info.. Does starting a youtube tech channel in Germany requires registering as a "Nebengewerbe" or a "Nebentätigkeit" or a "freiberufler" ? The KZbin channel is a side hustle thing, not my main job..

[@simplegermany]

We touch on that question in the video 😉 in our opinion it qualifies more as a Gewerbe.

[@anas6435]

@@simplegermany Thanks for the quick reply ☺️ Yes I saw it @ 07:00 ,, but it was not clear to me if "Gewerbe" or "Nebengewerbe" is the choice for someone having a full time job..

[@zeerakkhan274]

As an international student pursuing masters in Germany, is it allowed to freelance while being a student?

[@19sangeeta]

Is it possible to start the process of getting permission during maternity protection leaves?

[@christelledutoit]

Hi. I have a question regarding your interaction with the Ausländerbehörde. Did you make an appointment to discuss with them or did you just phone them? What was the process, and at which points did you go there? I have my documentation ready but am not sure if I book an online appointment, phone them or just go there (I hate phoning people if I don't need to because my German language skills are still lacking).

[@simplegermany]

The Ausländerbehördes have changed their systems since then. We just send them an email asking for the permission to be allowed to have a side hustle with all the supporting documents.

[@n6113]

Hello ladies! I would like to ask you if i already work as an employee can i start my own company as a sole trader? Do i need to inform my employer? Thanks in advance!!

[@simplegermany]

We answer all questions in the video 😉

[@rukhsarhajizada]

you are doing great, I would like to Ask you, would it be possible to convert my type of Residents permits when I get my Small Business License, or to Convert to Blue Card, please kindly let me have your answer.

[@biankavarnai2499]

Is life coaching regulated in Germany? Can I be a life coach without certificate in Germany?

[@janu5730]

@simplegermany thank you so much for the video. Can you pls clarify in my case. I have received ERWERBSTATIGKEIT ERLAUBT. Can I work as self employed or start any business in Germany. Pls clarify, thank you.

[@simplegermany]

We can't give individual advice, but we do talk about your question in the video at the beginning.

[@augussierra]

Hi, I'm interested in starting a service-based agency with my partner. We wouldn't be either Solo Freelancers or sole proprietors. Our goal is to be able to pay ourselves from the business, at least as a Mini-job in the beginning. Would that be possible? Is there anything that I am not seeing? I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance.

[@simplegermany]

Yes of course that is possible. If you want to do a Gewerbe with your partner you should look into forming a GbR.

[@spacextreme1]

I got a question. Can I open a company if I'm on a student visa? The business will be online reselling

[@simplegermany]

Please watch the first part of the video where we talk about how to check whether your visa allows you to start a company.

[@chathurikagunarathna2370]

Can you plz give some details about doing a small business with aupair,volunteer and ausbildung visa ? Is it possible to do a small online bussiness like selling t shirt with any of these visa for non Eu citizen ? Thank you so much for your information ❤️

[@simplegermany]

We doubt that you can, since your ‘work type’ is restricted. But it all depends what is stated on your residence permit.

[@dinnerwithnanas1969]

Please how long will it take to get the visa after you ask for it

[@simplegermany]

It depends!🙂 You can view our How To Move To Germany Guide here: www.simplegermany.com/how-move-to-germany/#3_Apply_For_Your_Visa_In_Time

[@karalove3786]

Thank you for the video and I have been toying with the idea of getting a side hustle eventually after settling here. However I never realised that the prohibition not to do self employment or take on other similar non self employed work (i.e. "selbständige oder vergleichbare unselbststandige Tätigkeit nicht erlaubt") was a stand alone requirement in addition to the requirement about having to get the permission of the Ausländerbehörde for changing jobs in the first 2 years of working in Germany. I thought the 2 year time bar was for both. Therefore if there is no time limit on the prohibition for self employment or other non self employed work. Does this mean this requirement is a permanent feature even in a permanent residency permit? Or can it be removed on request at the time of application for permanent residency permit? Or must one wait until one starts a side hustle to ask for it's removal?

[@simplegermany]

As far as we know, once you reach permanent residency you are automatically allowed to also work as self-employed. And berforehand you can request to get special permission, like we explain in the video in Jen's case. But you should always consult your Ausländerbehörde as they ultimately decide.

[@katherinealexandre8064]

Goo to read from a fellow Mzansi person. Great question by the way!

[@supremachine]

Are you allowed to gamble as an international student in Germany?

[@thewebconsultant]

Yes!

[@norm238]

Before I finish registering everything I would forget what was I doing

[@luisalde]

My girlfriend works as a designer as part time. She is from EU, so there shouldn't be issues with the . The Finanzamt kind of tricked her to open a Kleingewerbe. They told her that was the only way of working as a freelancer. Everywhere we went, we told got the same response. Where can we get accurate information?

[@simplegermany]

From a licensed tax advisor.

[@sathyabalakrishnan]

Do u guys consult tax consultant for your KZbin channel

[@simplegermany]

Nope - like we mention in the video, we are not certified advisors, but the companies we talk about and list in the description can help you out.

[@anishajoy3401]

Hello, I am on dependant visa ,can I look for freelancing job in Germany as a digital artist

[@thewebconsultant]

Are you still searching for the job?

[@AhoySauza]

Can u talk about how to ship a car to germany ?

[@simplegermany]

Not really, as things change depending on where you want to ship from and it doesn't really make sense to ship in our opinion. You can find out on how to buy a car in Germany in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXy9g6qNgt6MarM

[@AhoySauza]

@@simplegermany no

[@rishiraj2548]

👍🙏

[@MorenikeAdekunle-hy6oj]

Great content, I sell really well on e commerce platform. Making 40k monthly but can you make a video for me about rules on Etsy in Germany, I've been lazy to do all the research here.

[@MorenikeAdekunle-hy6oj]

I want to expand my business to that platform, any information on that will be appreciated ☺️

[@CDGbyGraziaCosta]

I wouldn't necessarily suggest freelancing in Germany, the whole freelancing gig here is just not worth the stress!

[@Neoleono]

Can i start a small business as a master's international student in Germany?

[@simplegermany]

Hey Ankita! We have a couple of guides on our website that may be able to help you with this. 🙂 Take a look: - www.simplegermany.com/how-to-start-a-business-in-germany/ - www.simplegermany.com/freelancing-in-germany/#How_to_obtain_a_Freelance_visa_in_Germany

[@isuruamare6855]

LUCKILY PERMISSION CAME THROUGH!!!! Ausländerbehörde is probably the worst place on earth! It's unbelievable how hard to start your own company in germany as a non eu citizen. At this point of my life, I consider spending years to learn the german language and coming to germany as one of my worst decisions ever!

[@ronnanp]

Thanks again, Ladies! Hey, I just tried to buy you two a kofi (actually, one for each of you - lol), but there was a glitch (my bank first declined the transaction), then it was approved and has been debited from my account, but I'm not sure the kofi transaction actually went through on your site. Can you please let me know if you got my contribution? Sorry, this was the only place I could see to contact you. Thanks!

[@simplegermany]

Hey @ronnanp! Wow, thank you so much for wanting to buy us a kofi :). I just checked our kofi page, and unfortunately no kofi came in yesterday with your name. You can always send us a private message here: www.simplegermany.com/contact/

[@ronnanp]

I tried again, and this time I was successful. Enjoy the kaffee!