Germany Freelance Visa: The Complete Guide for UK Applicants

Dreaming of swapping your UK work setup for a cafe in Berlin? Before you add to the 1.7 million self-employed people who call Germany home each year¹, you’re going to need to apply for the right visa - and that’s why we’ve put this article together.

Read on to learn what steps you need to complete to successfully apply for a D visa (the German National visa) under the Freiberufler route, which will allow you to work as a freelancer in certain professions in Germany. 

We’ve also explained how Wise Business can help you manage your hard-earned income in Germany with ease.

Register for Wise Business ✍️

Table of contents

Key facts How to apply for a Germany freelance visa Step 1: Check your eligibility Step 2: Gather the required documents Step 3: Prepare your business plan Step 4: Submit your application on VIDEX National Step 5: Pay the visa fees Step 6: Schedule your appointment Step 7: Collect your visa when it’s ready Step 8: Travel to Germany and obtain a residence permit Paying taxes as a self-employed freelancer in Germany Summary Manage your freelance earnings like a pro with Wise Business FAQs Do I need German clients before I apply for a visa for self-employment? Is health insurance mandatory for freelancers in Germany? Do freelancers make pension contributions in Germany? What are the most common reasons for a German work visa being rejected? What is the D Visa? What does Freiberufler mean in the context of a D visa?

Key facts

Topic	Notes
Visa Exemption 🛂	If you're an EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland citizen, then you don't need to get a visa for a business or tourist trip to Germany that lasts 90 days2.
The D Visa 🗺️	The D visa is Germany’s national visa. As a UK citizen, you must apply for this first and select the appropriate stream, such as Freiberufler (more on this below).
Visa stream for Liberal Professions (Freiberufler) 🎨	This route is for individuals in ‘liberal professions’ as defined in German law. Note: Freiberufler does not mean ‘freelancer’. Rather, obtaining Freiberufler status provides tax advantages, most notably an exemption from trade tax.
Visa stream for Commercial Activity (Gewerbe) 💡	If you’re self-employed, but your work doesn’t qualify as a ‘liberal profession’ as per German law, then you must register a trade (complete a Gewerbeanmeldung, or Gewerbe for short) with the local trade office to pay the appropriate trade tax3.
Registration Process ✍️	The registration path depends on your classification. Freiberufler freelancers register directly with the tax office, while commercial Gewerbe freelancers must first register with the trade office before registering with the tax office.
Visa Duration & Residency 🗓️	The initial D visa is an entry visa, typically valid for 3 to 6 months. Upon arrival, you use it to apply for your residence permit, which is then granted for up to 3 years4. After this period, you are eligible to apply for a settlement permit, which allows you to stay in Germany permanently.
Application Time ⌛	The freelance visa application process can take from several weeks to 3 months to be approved.

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⚠️ Before working as a freelancer in Germany, you'll need a residence permit. Find out how by reading our guide to getting a Residence Permit in Germany Guide for UK Citizens

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How to apply for a Germany freelance visa

1. Check your eligibility
2. Gather the required documents
3. Complete the online application form
4. Schedule a visa appointment
5. Pay the visa fees and submit your application
6. Track your visa application outcome

Step 1: Check your eligibility

To apply for a German residence permit for self-employment via the Freiberufler route, your profession must be one of the legally defined liberal professions⁵.

These professions typically fall into scientific, artistic, literary, or educational fields. We’ve listed some of the most common examples below:

• Creative professions, such as artists, journalists, writers and translators
• Healthcare professions, such as doctors and dentists working as Freiberufler
• Legal and financial professions, such as lawyers
• Scientific professions, such as engineers

If your self-employed activity does not fall into one of these categories, you would need to apply as a self-employed entrepreneur by registering a commercial trade (Gewerbe), which involves a different process and tax obligations.

Step 2: Gather the required documents

In order to apply to become a Freiberufler in Germany as a UK citizen, you must first get a D visa.

The D visa requires the following documents⁶:

1. A valid passport that:
   • You have signed
   • Was issued within the last 10 years
   • Will be valid for at least 3 months longer than the intended duration of the visa
   • Has at least two consecutive blank pages, plus one copy of all pages containing records
2. A recent passport photo (45x35mm)
3. Proof of your legal residence in the UK
4. Your CV
5. A comprehensive business plan detailing your freelance concept, an earning forecast and your marketing strategy
6. Proof of financial means to fund your life and business in Germany
7. Letters from future clients in Germany declaring their commitment to giving you work
8. Professional qualifications, such as university degrees (original plus copies, with certified German translations if required)
9. A portfolio of your existing work as a freelancer
10. Evidence of health insurance valid from your date of entry for the entire duration of your stay in Germany
11. Proof of accommodation in Germany, if already secured (e.g. a tenancy agreement)

Important things to note: 

You may require different licenses in order to practice certain professions in Germany, such as if you’re a medical doctor or a tax advisor.

You can check if this applies to your job by searching the professional recognition information database compiled by the German government.

You’ll usually need to get some of these documents translated into German by publicly appointed and authorised translators. 

Step 3: Prepare your business plan

Your business plan must contain:

• A clear description of your freelance activity - what you do, who your clients are and what your qualifications are
• A description of your product or service and how you will sell it to your target audience
• Your projected investment, financing methods, and expected sales and profitability

Note: As a freelancer, your business plan doesn’t have to be as comprehensive as someone who is applying to start a company in Germany. 

As long as it illustrates your services, intent, financial projections and ability to sustain yourself while in Germany, you’re good to go.

Step 4: Submit your application on VIDEX National

VIDEX National is the online application portal where you submit your application for a D visa.

You’ll need to complete one form for yourself and additional ones for anyone else travelling with you, such as your spouse, children, or any dependents.

When preparing your application, take the time to gather all the relevant documentation you require.

Step 5: Pay the visa fees

How much does the D visa cost?
The total cost is around £150 as of October 2025 (based on the current exchange rate). 

The total fees consist of the initial national visa (D visa) application fee of €75 (around £64) and the residence permit fee of €100 (around £86), which is paid after you arrive in Germany.

Note: The GBP figures above are as of October 2025. For more information on the residence permit, please read our guide to the German Residence Permit.

Step 6: Schedule your appointment

In the UK, German D visa appointments are managed by TLScontact⁷, who have centres in Edinburgh, Manchester, and London. 

Remember to print your appointment letter as this is mandatory. Arrive at the TLScontact centre on time with all the required documentation.

A member of staff will then review your documents, take your biometrics, and submit your visa for self-employment to the relevant consular authorities.

Step 7: Collect your visa when it’s ready

It can take several weeks to a few months to get the initial D visa.
The processing time can vary depending on whether you need to provide any additional information or documents to support your application.

You’ll be able to track your Freiberufler visa application through your TSLcontact account, and they’ll let you know if any additional information is required.

Step 8: Travel to Germany and obtain a residence permit

Once your visa is sorted, you can book your tickets to Germany. Upon landing, make time to register for a German residence permit so you can work there as a freelancer.

When registering, ensure you select either Freiberufler or Gewerbe as your purpose of stay.

What’s the difference between Freiberufler and Gewerbe again?
Freiberufler and Gewerbe are 2 different business classifications for self-employed people in Germany.If your profession is a liberal profession, you are a Freiberufler.For all other commercial activities, you must register a trade as a Gewerbetreibender³.The tax obligations are different for each classification.

Paying taxes as a self-employed freelancer in Germany

Once you arrive in Germany and have registered your address, you must register with your local tax office (Finanzamt). 

You will do this by completing a form called the Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung. After the tax office processes this form, they will issue you a tax number (Steuernummer), which you must include on all your invoices.

Germany uses a progressive income tax system, which means that the amount of tax you pay is based on your earnings. Tax is paid quarterly.

As of October 2025, the tax brackets⁸ are:

• Tax exempted on earnings up to €12,096 per year
• 14% to 42% tax on earnings of €12,097 to €68,429 per year
• 42% tax on earnings of €68,430 to €277,825 per year
• 45% tax on earnings over €277,826 per year

Summary

The ability to work from anywhere in the world has never been easier. But that doesn’t mean it’s completely straightforward.

If you’re considering applying for a Germany freelance visa, it’s important to think through a range of factors such as time, cost, documentation, and language skills you may need.

In particular, make sure you spend time on your business plan, including market research, viability, and profitability, as this is a key factor in the German government’s decision-making process.

Manage your freelance earnings like a pro with Wise Business

One of the most crucial aspects of your application for a freelance (Freiberufler) visa is having a clear business plan in place.

That means giving ample thought to how you'll manage international finances from day one - and this is where Wise Business can be part of your success story.

With a Wise Business Advanced plan*, you can hold funds in 40+ currencies and send money to 140+ countries. 

You can also get local account details to receive payments without any hidden fees, using the real mid-market exchange rate. It gives you all the financial tools you need to build a successful freelance career in Germany.

Don’t just take our word for it - try Wise Business today to see what makes it the ideal account for freelancers.

Register for Wise Business ✍️

**Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

I’ve been with Wise Business for five or six years now. I manage multiple currencies, and when I was searching for a business account, Wise stood out. It was the quickest, easiest, and probably the best one to use.

-- Tye Bate (230 Media)

FAQs

Do I need German clients before I apply for a visa for self-employment?

In an ideal world, yes. If you have letters from 2 or 3 German clients which show a local demand for work, this will provide strong evidence of your business’s viability. Relying solely on international clients may weaken your application.

Is health insurance mandatory for freelancers in Germany?

Yes, you will need to either take out a public or private health insurance policy. As a Freiberufler, you must have German health insurance.

Do freelancers make pension contributions in Germany?

While many liberal professions are exempt from the statutory state pension scheme, some (like doctors and lawyers) are required to contribute to a professional pension fund (Standeskammer). 

Artists and publicists have their own social insurance fund (Künstlersozialkasse). It is essential to check the specific requirements for your profession, so it’s advisable to get in touch with the tax office to be sure.

What are the most common reasons for a German work visa being rejected?

• The business plan was not robust enough
• There wasn’t enough proof that the freelancer would have German clients
• The financial forecasts weren’t clear enough
• The applicant seemingly had a lack of financial means or no health insurance in place
• The applicant applied under the wrong stream, e.g. applied to be a Freiberufler even though their profession is not one of the listed ‘liberal professions’ in Germany

What is the D Visa?

The D visa is Germany’s national visa for anyone looking to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days. This includes freelancers, people who want to start a business, and more.

What does Freiberufler mean in the context of a D visa?

Freiberufler is the purpose of stay you declare when you apply for a D visa. In other words, if you want to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days, work as a self-employed person, and your profession is one of the liberal professions under German law, then you are considered a Freiberufler and can select this when applying for a D visa.

Sources:

1. Federal Statistical Office of Germany, Migration Flows
2. Deutsche Boschart Oslo, Citizens of Norway, EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland
3. Handbook Germany, Trade-Based Self-Employment ("Gewerbe")
4. German Government, D visa
5. Ministerium Für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Landwirtschaft und Weinbau, Liberal Professions
6. German Government, National Visa for Self- and Freelance Employment
7. TLScontact, Application Procedure
8. PWC, Individual Taxes on Personal Income in Germany

Sources last checked on 6th October, 2025.

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.