- Many countries offer a temporary or PR visa in exchange for an investment
- Investment amounts can range from $50,000 to $500,000 or more
About Y-Axis: Y-Axis is your companion, guide, and facilitator, giving you purpose to immigrate and live opportunities. We help you prepare for the big leap abroad with our online language training courses and counseling sessions.
About Y-Axis: Y-Axis is your companion, guide, and facilitator, giving you purpose to immigrate and live opportunities. We help you prepare for the big leap abroad with our online language training courses and counseling sessions.
German Freelance visa
“Freiberufler” Visa
The German Freelance “Freiberufler” Visa or Self-Employment Visa is a long-term visa that allows Freelancers to stay and work independently in the country without an employer. You can stay in the country for a few years until you show proof of work and financial means and apply for a residence permit.
Why apply for a German Freelance Visa?
A German Freelance Visa, or “Freiberufler” Visa, allows foreign nationals to initially work independently without an employer or start a business in the country for three years. It is a multiple-entry visa, and you can stay longer by showing proof of work and financial means.
- No job offer required
- No language proficiency required
- Best pathway for people willing to start a business
- Move to Germany along with your family
- Get PR Visa after 3 years

What is Germany's Freelance Visa?
Individuals with a German Freelance Visa can migrate and live in Germany, start a business, or become freelancers. The freelancer visa also permits digital nomads to visit other Schengen countries with a chance to apply for permanent residency after 3 to 5 years.
This German Freelance visa is divided into two components:
- Freelance Entry Visa
- Freelance Residence Permit
| Purpose | You can work as a Freelancer or start a business |
| Type | Long-stay, national-D visa |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Entries | Multiple entries |
| Dependants | You can move along with your family |
| Cost | € 75 |
Types of German Freelance Visa
There are primarily two types of German Freelance Visas –
-
Freiberufler or Freelance Visa:
The visa is for people whose occupation positively impacts German culture and economy. This category can include artists, writers, IT professionals, doctors, engineers, language teachers, interpreters, auditors, or architects.
-
Selbständiger or Self-employment Visa:
The visa can be issued if the eligible candidate is a company founder, sole proprietor, managing director, or legal representative of a partnership or corporation.

Who can apply for a German Freelance Visa?
There is a wide range of professions that are eligible to apply for the German Freelance Visa:
- Creative Fields: Artists, musicians, designers, photographers, writers, journalists, translators, and interpreters.
- Technical and Scientific Fields: Engineers, architects, IT consultants, scientists, and researchers.
- Medical and Healthcare: Doctors, dentists, therapists, and other medical professionals.
Benefits of the German Visa for Freelancers
- Stay and work in Germany for up to three years.
- Great chance to get PR in the country.
- A temporary residence permit can be converted to permanent residency.
- Enables free travel around the Schengen area.
- Can freelance for both German and international companies.
- Plenty of job opportunities with international exposure.
- Flexible work modes
German Freelance Visa Requirements
Below is the checklist of documents required to apply for a German Freelance Visa:
- A valid passport
- Passport-size photograph
- The application form for Freelance Residence Permit
- Estimation of the income
- At least two letters of Intent for Collaboration from prospective clients
- Health insurance
- Germany Certificate of Address Registration
- Confirmation of the rental lease, if applicable
- If applicable, proof of home ownership is required
- Candidates over 45 years of age must provide evidence of a retirement plan
- An updated CV
- A university graduate must provide proof of degree
- A business or company owner must provide
- A business plan
- A plan of finances
- Registration with the Trade Register
- A letter from the university confirms that the knowledge acquired was relevant to the business idea
Note:
- When applying for an entry visa, the candidate must submit the above-required documents to the German Embassy in the home country.
- Translated copies are necessary if your documents are in English or any other language.

How can I get a German Freelance Visa from India?
The steps to apply for a Germany Freelance Visa are as follows-
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Step 2: Gather and arrange the required documents
Step 3: Attend the interview
Step 4: Wait for visa processing
Step 5: Migrate to Germany
Processing time for a German Freelancer Visa
The processing time for a German Freelance Visa is around 6 to 10 weeks.
German Freelancer Visa Processing Fees
The complete breakdown of the processing fee for the German Freelance visa is mentioned below:
|
Types of Fee |
Cost |
|
Embassy Fee |
€75 |
|
Ausländerbehörde fee |
€100 (€28.80 especially for Turkish citizens) |
|
Extension of the Temporary Residence Permit |
€100 |
|
Settlement (PR) Permit |
€124 |
How can Y-Axis assist you?
Sign up with Y-Axis, the world's No. 1 overseas immigration company, and they will guide you to live in Germany as a Digital Nomad. Our thorough process and end-to-end support ensure you take the right action at every step. We help you with the following:
- Job Search Services to help individuals find the right jobs in Germany.
- Expert guidance in arranging a checklist of required documents.