Germany · Startup Visa
Germany Startup Visa and Founder Permits
Germany has no visa called a startup visa. Non-EU founders normally apply for a residence permit for self-employment under section 21 of the Residence Act, while freelancers and job seekers rely on separate permits.
- Startup route
- Residence permit for self-employment (section 21)
- Minimum capital
- No fixed minimum; financing must be secured
- Permanent residence
- 3 years (section 21 settlement permit)
- Citizenship
- 5 years (3-year route repealed Oct 2025)
Residence permit for self-employment (section 21(1) Residence Act)
Section 21(1) is the permit most company founders use. It may be granted when there is an economic interest or a regional need for the business, the activity is expected to benefit the economy, and financing is secured through own capital or a loan commitment. The authority weighs the viability of the business idea, the founder's entrepreneurial experience, the capital invested, the effect on jobs and training places, and any contribution to innovation and research. Local expert bodies, trade authorities and professional associations are consulted. The law sets no minimum investment figure, and applicants older than 45 should show adequate provision for old age.
- Validity
- Up to 3 years per permit
- Processing time
- Varies; confirm with the German mission or foreigners authority
- Government fee
- EUR 75 national visa; EUR 100 residence permit
- Minimum capital
- No fixed amount; financing must be secured
- Family
- Spouse and children may join; spouse exempt from basic German
- Leads to
- Settlement permit after 3 years if the business succeeds
Requirements
- A business idea that serves an economic interest or a regional need in Germany.
- An expected positive effect on the economy, such as new jobs, training places or innovation.
- Financing secured through personal capital or a binding loan commitment.
- Any license or permit that the planned activity requires.
- Adequate old-age provision if the applicant is older than 45.
How to apply
- Prepare a business plan, proof of financing, a CV and any license the activity needs.
- Apply for a national D visa for self-employment at the German mission responsible for the applicant's place of residence.
- Local chambers, trade authorities and professional bodies are consulted on the viability of the business.
- After entry, obtain the residence permit from the local foreigners authority.
Residence permit for freelancers (section 21(5) Residence Act)
Freelancers in the liberal professions follow a lighter test. Section 21(5) allows a residence permit even when the economic-interest conditions of section 21(1) are not met. The applicant must show the means to fund the activity and cover living costs, and any professional license must already be issued or promised. Local bodies are still consulted. The key difference comes later: the three-year settlement rule in section 21(4) does not apply to freelancers, so permanent residence follows the general rules and, according to Berlin's foreigners authority, comes at the earliest after five years.
- Who it suits
- Liberal professions working on their own account
- Processing time
- Varies; confirm with the foreigners authority
- Government fee
- EUR 75 national visa; EUR 100 residence permit
- Over 45
- Proof of adequate old-age provision required
- Leads to
- Settlement permit after 5 years at the earliest
Requirements
- Work that qualifies as a freelance profession rather than a commercial trade.
- Means to finance the activity and cover living costs.
- Any professional license already issued or formally promised.
- Proof of adequate old-age provision for applicants older than 45.
How to apply
- Prepare proof of funds, a description of the planned freelance work and any professional license.
- Apply for a national D visa at the German mission in the country of residence.
- Collect the residence permit from the local foreigners authority after arrival.
Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, section 20a Residence Act)
The Opportunity Card is a job-search permit, not a business permit. It lets recognized skilled workers, or applicants who reach the points threshold, stay for up to one year to look for qualified work or pursue recognition of their qualifications. Points reflect qualifications, German or English skills, work experience, age, earlier stays in Germany and a partner who applies at the same time. Holders may work an average of 20 hours a week and take trial jobs of up to two weeks. Founders who want to run a company still need a self-employment permit.
- Validity
- Up to 1 year for the job search
- Work allowed
- Average of 20 hours a week, plus trial work
- Eligibility
- Skilled-worker status or points-based assessment
- Government fee
- EUR 75 national visa
- Extension
- Up to 2 more years with a qualified job offer
Requirements
- Recognized skilled-worker status, or enough points under the statutory points table.
- For the points route, a state-recognized foreign vocational qualification of at least two years or a foreign university degree.
- For the points route, basic German or English at level B2.
- A secured livelihood for the whole stay.
How to apply
- Check skilled-worker status or the points total against the criteria in section 20b.
- Apply for the Opportunity Card visa at the German mission.
- Search for work in Germany, and apply for a self-employment permit before running a business.
How German law treats company founders
German residence law grants permits for specific purposes, and self-employment is one of them. Instead of a single startup program, section 21 of the Residence Act contains several founder routes. The main one, section 21(1), applies a discretionary test of economic interest, expected benefit and secured financing. Section 21(2a) makes access easier for graduates of German universities, EU Blue Card holders and certain other permit holders, provided the business relates to their studies or research. Section 21(2b) covers skilled workers whose company preparation is funded by a scholarship from a German business organization or public body, for up to 18 months.
The line between a commercial business and a freelance profession matters from day one. A founder of a commercial company applies under section 21(1) or 21(2a) and can seek a settlement permit after three years. A freelancer applies under section 21(5), faces no economic-interest test, but cannot use the three-year settlement rule. Holders of another residence permit, such as one for employment, can also be allowed to take up self-employment alongside their existing purpose of stay under section 21(6).
Questions and answers
Does Germany offer a startup visa?
Not under that name. A founder from outside the EU usually applies for a national visa and then a residence permit for self-employment under section 21 of the Residence Act. Freelancers use section 21(5), and job seekers can use the Opportunity Card, but neither is designed as a dedicated startup program.
How much capital does a founder need in Germany?
The Residence Act sets no minimum amount. The authority checks that financing is secured through own capital or a loan commitment, and it weighs the capital invested together with the business plan, the founder's experience and the expected effect on jobs. A well-documented plan therefore carries more weight than any single figure.
Can the Opportunity Card be used to start a company?
The Opportunity Card is built for job searching. It allows employment averaging 20 hours a week and short trial work, but section 20a does not provide for running a business. A founder who spots an opportunity while in Germany would normally apply for a self-employment permit under section 21.
Is there an easier route for graduates of German universities?
Yes. Section 21(2a) says graduates of a German university or comparable institution, EU Blue Card holders and certain other permit holders should generally receive a self-employment permit even without meeting the economic-interest test, as long as the business relates to their studies or research.
Official sources
- Aufenthaltsgesetz § 21 Selbständige Tätigkeitwww.gesetze-im-internet.de
- Aufenthaltsgesetz § 20a (Chancenkarte)www.gesetze-im-internet.de
- Is it true that foreign nationals can now come to Germany to start their own business? - Federal Foreign Officewww.auswaertiges-amt.de
- Aufenthaltsverordnung § 46 (visa fees)www.gesetze-im-internet.de
- Aufenthaltsgesetz § 30 Ehegattennachzugwww.gesetze-im-internet.de
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Germany.
Startup visa
National D visa for self-employment from a German mission abroad
02Temporary residence
Section 21 permit for up to 3 years, extendable if the business works
03Permanent residence
Settlement permit after 3 years if business income covers the household
04Citizenship
5 years of lawful residence, B1 German and a test; dual citizenship allowed