Work & Study
Self-employment and freelancing residence permit (§21 AufenthG)
For people planning to work for themselves in Germany. See what the authorities usually look at and how to organise your application.
- Up to 3 yearsfirst permitSource: Up to 3 years first permit (opens in new tab)
- 3 yearsto a possible settlement permit for business foundersSource: 3 years to a possible settlement permit for business founders (opens in new tab)
Your local offices
City not listed? Find your Bürgeramt with the federal service search and your Ausländerbehörde with BAMF-NAvI, or see the guide for your state.
General information summarised from official sources. Rules change and the authorities make every decision. Check with your Ausländerbehörde or a qualified adviser.
General information only, and no outcome is promised. Check with your local Ausländerbehörde before acting.
Your local office: documents, fees, booking and waiting times are set by each Ausländerbehörde and differ from city to city. Pick your situation and city in the step finder to get a direct link to your own office, or see the local office guide for your state. You can also find your office with BAMF-NAvI or the federal service finder.
Who it's for
- Business founders, sole traders and managing directors with entrepreneurial responsibility (§21 Abs. 1, 2a, 2b) (§21, checked 2026-11-04).
- Freelancers in the liberal professions (§21 Abs. 5), e.g. artists, writers, language teachers, and self-employed doctors, engineers or architects (MIG, checked 2026-11-04).
Requirements
- Business: an economic interest or regional need, an expected positive economic effect, and financing secured through equity or a loan commitment (§21 Abs. 1; MIG, checked 2026-11-04).
- Alternative: you graduated from a German university, or you are a researcher or Blue Card scientist, and the business relates to your studies or research (§21 Abs. 2a) (§21, checked 2026-11-04). Another alternative: a founder scholarship from a German public body, e.g. EXIST.
- Freelance: a liberal profession under §18 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 EStG, expected positive economic or cultural effects, sufficient funds and any required licences (MIG, checked 2026-11-04).
- Aged 45+: adequate pension provision. Since 1 July 2025, that means a prospective pension of €1,612.53/month at age 67, or assets of €232,204. This is waived for nationals of the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka Not yet confirmed.
Documents, fees and steps at your local office
Each Ausländerbehörde publishes its own document checklist, fees and booking or online-application process, so this guide doesn't copy one city's list. Pick your situation and city in the step finder for a direct link to your office's page, or open the local office guide for your state. Fees for residence permits are set nationwide in § 45 AufenthV; your office tells you the exact amount.
Processing notes
- A label can be issued at the appointment; an eAT usually takes several weeks Not yet confirmed. Processing times vary by office.
- Validity: MIG says "up to three years" (MIG, checked 2026-11-04).
- MIG says a settlement permit after 3 years is an option for business founders (MIG, checked 2026-11-04). By law it may be granted after 3 years of self-employment if the business is expected to keep developing successfully and the livelihood of you and your dependants is secured by sufficient income (§21 Abs. 4, checked 2026-11-04).