Freelancer Registration - Freelancer Registration

Registering as a Freelancer in Germany

Becoming a Freelancer in Germany is achieved by applying for a tax number (& VAT number). To do so, you need to fill out a tax registration form online.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Self-Employment in Germany: Registration, Tax Number, VAT Number, Tax Return & VAT Return.

Our Services for Freelancers & Self-employed in Germany

On our website, we guide you through all the steps you need to take when registering as a freelancer in Germany.

The relocation process for freelancers in Germany can be very challenging and stressful. That is why we gave our online platform a simple structure and adapted it to the needs of our customers. Our online and multilingual service has been designed to make the applying for the freelancer tax number and the filing of the tax & VAT return as easy as possible.

Whether you want to live in Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg or any other town in Germany, with our expert knowledge, you avoid the stress of moving and streamline the relocation process.

One - Freelancer Registration

ANMELDUNG

If you have just moved to Germany or have changed your address within the country then you are required by law to register with the German local citizens’ office (Bürgeramt). This has to be done within 14 days of your move-in date.

After the Anmeldung, you will get the Meldebescheinigung, which is a proof of residence used to do further procedures such as getting health insurance, becoming freelancer or obtaining a residence permit. Find out if we can help you.

Fill In Your Anmeldung Form Now

Sign up now and complete your registration form to get settled in Germany.

TAX ID (STEUER-ID)

If you want to work in Germany then you need to apply for a tax ID for the purposes of taxation, government benefits and health care.

The tax ID (in German: Steuer-ID or Identifikationsnummer) is a unique 11-digit number provided to you by the German Federal Tax Office. Your tax ID will be sent automatically to your registered address 2 to 4 weeks after you’ve done the Anmeldung. This tax ID will be valid forever. Find out if we can help you.

Two - Freelancer Registration
Two - Freelancer Registration

TAX ID (STEUER-ID)

If you want to work in Germany then you need to apply for a tax ID for the purposes of taxation, government benefits and health care.

The tax ID (in German: Steuer-ID or Identifikationsnummer) is a unique 11-digit number provided to you by the German Federal Tax Office. Your tax ID will be sent automatically to your registered address 2 to 4 weeks after you’ve done the Anmeldung. This tax ID will be valid forever. Find out if we can help you.

Retrieve your Tax ID

If you haven’t received the so-called Steuer-ID within 2-3 weeks of your address registration, you can ask the tax office to re-send it by post.

OR

Get a Tax ID

Sign up on our website and fill in your Anmeldung form in your preferred language to get registered in Germany and get a tax ID.

Three - Freelancer Registration

HEALTH INSURANCE

Health insurance is compulsory for the whole population in Germany.

If you are registered as a freelancer, you must take out private health insurance, unless you have already been part of the public health insurance scheme before.

There are currently 45 private health insurance companies in Germany. You should request free advice from an independent insurance broker to help you find the option that best fits your budget and meets your needs.

Need help finding the right health insurance?

Freelancers in Germany can either become members of statutory health insurance or private health insurance.

Finding the right health insurance that fulfills the requirements of the German law is important.

Let’s find a policy that fits you and your family.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

Freelancers aren’t obliged to take part in the German social security system.

If you already have private health insurance and need to apply for your social security number that will entitle you to a range of benefits, you can contact the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. If you are not member of the German social security system, then you will have first to find a private health insurance coverage for unemployment, accident and pension insurance.

Four - Freelancer Registration
Four - Freelancer Registration

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

Freelancers aren’t obliged to take part in the German social security system.

If you already have private health insurance and need to apply for your social security number that will entitle you to a range of benefits, you can contact the Deutsche Rentenversicherung. If you are not member of the German social security system, then you will have first to find a private health insurance coverage for unemployment, accident and pension insurance.

Need help finding the right health insurance?

Freelancers in Germany can either become members of the statutory health insurance or private health insurance.

Finding the right health insurance that fulfills the requirements of the German law is important.

Let’s find a policy that fits for you. 100% in English!

Five - Freelancer Registration

BANK ACCOUNT

A bank account is required by the Finanzamt: the account number needs to be added on the freelancer application form (lines 27 to 39).

We strongly advise to separate your private and business accounts in Germany, this will enable you to set up smooth VAT and tax return filing with the authorities.

The easiest accounts to open for freelancers are the N26 Business Account & the N26 YOU. They are free and in English. The opening procedure takes only eight minutes.

Find a plan for you now!

Join N26 to get a German bank account and a Mastercard to use all over the world. Manage your account from your smartphone, and start making mobile payments before your physical card arrives.

Compare all N26 bank accounts and choose an account that suits you.

GERMAN PHONE NUMBER

You are required to provide a German mobile phone number on most bureaucratic forms to become a freelancer (i.e. line 21 on the freelancer form).

You have to be reachable by the tax authorities in Germany in case they have some questions for you.

Six - Freelancer Registration
Six - Freelancer Registration

GERMAN PHONE NUMBER

You are required to provide a German mobile phone number on most bureaucratic forms to become a freelancer (i.e. line 21 on the freelancer form).

You have to be reachable by the tax authorities in Germany in case they have some questions for you.

Seven - Freelancer Registration

TAX NUMBER (STEUERNUMMER)

The tax number is not to be confused with the tax ID. The tax number, or Steuernummer, needs to be requested at the Finanzamt once you are registered in Germany. The Steuernummer is required to become a freelancer and file your taxes in Germany.

In order to get your tax number, you need to fill out a form called Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung. You can now fill in that form online, guided, and in English. It’s free!

Once you are ready, submit it directly online to the Finanzamt through the official ELSTER interface. Once you have submitted the form, it usually take 3-6 weeks for the Finanzamt to send your new tax number via post.

Register as a Freelancer Online

Fill the tax registration form (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung) online, guided, and in English now! It’s free!

Submit your freelancer form online to receive your Steuernummer and VAT number.

VAT NUMBER (UMSATZSTEUER)

As an individual freelancing in Germany, you may be required to obtain a VAT number (in German: Umsatzsteuer or USt-IdNr) in order to charge it to your clients and pay it to your tax office (VAT return), unless your yearly revenue is lower than 17.500 EUR.

The VAT or valued-added tax is a tax levied on almost all products and services in Germany. You can apply online for a VAT number here (from 6am to 11pm) unless you’ve already applied for it using the tax registration form (see point 7).

Eight - Freelancer Registration
Eight - Freelancer Registration

VAT NUMBER

As an individual freelancing in Germany, you may be required to obtain a VAT number (in German: Umsatzsteuer or USt-IdNr) in order to charge it to your clients and pay it to your tax office (VAT return), unless your yearly revenue is lower than 17.500 EUR.

The VAT or valued-added tax is a tax levied on almost all products and services in Germany. You can apply online for a VAT number here (from 6am to 11pm) unless you’ve already applied for it using the tax registration form (see point 7).

VAT Number Registration

If you haven’t applied for your VAT number (Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer) using the tax registration form above (see point 7), or if you did apply for it but have lost it, you can request it online between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. 

The online form is in German, but you can just select all the content, then right-click with your mouse and use Google translator to get the questions in your language.

Nine - Freelancer Registration

FREELANCER TAX RETURN

Tax declarations are compulsory for freelancers and self-employed people in Germany.

The income tax declaration is a summary of all your income and expenses during the year, and is done to determine the taxable income.

The deadline for submitting your tax return is the 31st of July of the following year, or the 28th of the second following year if the report is submitted by a certified tax advisor.

You can file your tax return online and in English with the help of our partner. Check out below if they can help you.

Freelancer Tax Return

Prepare and submit your tax return online. Get on demand help from a certified Steuerberater.

Create a free account today! Highlights: Certified Tax Consultants Available, Guides Available, Chat Option Available.

VAT RETURN

Freelancers who charge VAT need to submit either a monthly, a quarterly or an annual VAT declaration (Umsatzsteuererklärung).

If your yearly revenue is lower than 17.500 EUR, you don’t need to charge VAT.

If you charge VAT, You have to submit VAT returns every year to your Finanzamt through the ELSTER website. 

You can use our partner’s platform to prepare and submit your VAT declaration in English with on-demand help from certified tax consultants. Check below if they can help you.

Ten - Freelancer Registration
Ten - Freelancer Registration

VAT RETURN

Freelancers who charge VAT need to submit either a monthly, a quarterly or an annual VAT declaration (Umsatzsteuererklärung).

If your yearly revenue is lower than 17.500 EUR, you don’t need to charge VAT.

If you charge VAT, You have to submit VAT returns every year to your Finanzamt through the ELSTER website. 

You can use our partner’s platform to prepare and submit your VAT declaration in English with on-demand help from certified tax consultants. Check below if they can help you.

VAT Return - Online & in English

Prepare and submit your vat return in English. Get on demand help from a certified Steuerberater.

Create a free account today! Highlights: Certified Tax Consultants Available, Guides Available, Chat Option Available.

Ready to cut down your accounting costs?

100% in English – Tax registration (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung) – Income tax return (Steuererklärung) – Annual profit report (EÜR) – VAT return (Umsatzsteuererklärung) – Track your expenses – and more…

Our Health Insurance Service Explained

 

Public or Private Health Insurance Plans for Employees, Freelancers, Students & Visa Holders.

 

In brief:

  • If you are unemployed, self-employed or currently looking for a job and you've just moved to Germany from a non-EU country, then you should sign up for Expat Health Insurance (limited to 5 years). Once you have a steady income, you can easily cancel and switch to Public or Private Health Insurance. Get expat health insurance now!

  • If you need health insurance to get a visa or residence permit then we recommend that you take out Expat Health Insurance. You can cancel anytime. Once you find a job in Germany, you can easily cancel and switch to public health insurance. Get expat health insurance now!

  • If you are a university student under the age of 30, be sure to take out Public Health Insurance. TK has an incredibly affordable offer made just for students so be sure to take advantage of it! Sign up here. [Add-on: Dental Insurance].

  • If you are in any other situation (job seeker, au pair, holiday workers, language student, guest researcher, tourist, etc.), we recommend that you take out Expat Health Insurance. This will not only make sure that you are covered in case of an accident, but it will also fulfil the legal requirement for living in Germany. You can switch easily to Public or Private Health Insurance at a later stage. Get expat health insurance now!