Self-Employment Visa (Section 21)
🇩🇪 Germany visas · Business
What it is
Residence permit for entrepreneurs founding a business or freelancers practising a regulated independent profession in Germany.
Key facts
- Category
- Business
- Duration
- Initially issued for up to 3 years (extendable if business succeeds and living costs covered)
- Processing time
- Not specified on page
- Maximum validity
- 3 years
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Yes
- How to apply
- Embassy
- Health insurance
- Required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (national (D) visa to enter)
- EUR 75
- Application fee (residence permit, issued after arrival)
- EUR 100
Key requirements
- Economic interest in or regional demand for the product or service
- Positive economic impact foreseeable
- Financing of the business concept via own capital or loan commitment
- Required professional licences (for freelancers in regulated professions)
- Applicants over 45 must show adequate pension provisions
Working on this visa
Self-employed business activity (positive economic effect, secured financing) or, under §21(5), freelance (freiberufliche) activity. Start-up preparation title under §21(2b) is capped at 18 months.
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 27 July 2026.