Germany
§21 Residence Permit for Self-Employed / Entrepreneurs
Germany's §21 residence permit allows non-EU entrepreneurs to start or run a business in Germany. The permit is granted for business activities that serve regional economic interests, have positive economic effects, and are backed by viable financing. While more demanding than a freelancer visa, it's suitable for founders planning to build substantial businesses.
- Business plan approved by Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK)
- Economic interest or regional need for the business
- Positive effects on German economy (job creation, innovation, etc.)
- Secure financing (personal capital, loans, or investment)
- Relevant experience and qualifications for the business
- Over 45: adequate pension provisions required
- Valid passport
- Health insurance
- Business must serve economic interest (evaluated by authorities)
- Cannot be primarily a one-person freelance operation
- Must create jobs or have other positive economic impact
- Subject to approval by local immigration and economic authorities
Processing time: 2-6 months
Fee: €100-200 plus professional fees for business plan
Complex process involving IHK evaluation and immigration authority. Apply at German embassy or local Foreigners Office
Links
Other Digital Nomad Visas in Europe
Country↑ | Program↕ | Income↕ | Duration↕ | Dependants↕ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇦🇱 Albania | Unique Permit for Digital Mobile Workers | ||||
🇦🇩 Andorra | Digital Nomad Residence Permit | ||||
🇦🇩 Andorra | Passive Residency Program | ||||
🇦🇹 Austria | Residence Permit (Independent Means) | ||||
🇦🇹 Austria | Job Seeker Visa (Red-White-Red Card) | ||||
🇧🇬 Bulgaria | Digital Nomad Residence Permit | ||||
🇭🇷 Croatia | Temporary Stay of Digital Nomads | ||||
🇨🇾 Cyprus | Digital Nomad Visa | ||||
🇨🇾 Cyprus | Financially Independent Person Permit (Category F) | ||||
🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Digital Nomad Program | ||||
🇩🇰 Denmark | Startup Denmark | ||||
🇪🇪 Estonia | Digital Nomad Visa | ||||
🇪🇪 Estonia | Startup Visa (Startup Estonia) | ||||
🇫🇮 Finland | Startup Permit | ||||
🇫🇷 France | French Tech Visa (Startup Founder) | ||||
🇫🇷 France | Passeport Talent - Profession Libérale | ||||
🇫🇷 France | Long-Stay Visitor Visa (Visiteur) | ||||
🇩🇪 Germany | Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | ||||
🇩🇪 Germany | Freelance Residence Permit | ||||
🇩🇪 Germany | §21 Residence Permit for Self-Employed / Entrepreneurs | ||||
🇬🇷 Greece | Digital Nomad Visa | ||||
🇬🇷 Greece | Financially Independent Person (FIP) Permit | ||||
🇬🇷 Greece | Golden Visa Program | ||||
🇭🇺 Hungary | White Card | ||||
🇮🇸 Iceland | Long-Term Visa for Remote Work | ||||
🇮🇪 Ireland | Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) | ||||
🇮🇪 Ireland | Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) | ||||
🇮🇹 Italy | Digital Nomad Visa | ||||
🇮🇹 Italy | Elective Residence Visa (Passive Income) | ||||
🇮🇹 Italy | Investor Visa for Italy | ||||
🇮🇹 Italy | Italia Startup Visa | ||||
🇱🇻 Latvia | Long-Stay Visa for Remote Work | ||||
🇱🇻 Latvia | Residence Permit by Investment | ||||
🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Investor Residence Permit | ||||
🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Job Seeker Authorisation | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Nomad Residence Permit | ||||
🇲🇹 Malta | Ordinary Residence / Financially Independent Person | ||||
🇲🇩 Moldova | Digital Nomad Visa | ||||
🇲🇪 Montenegro | Digital Nomad Residence Permit | ||||
🇳🇱 Netherlands | Residence Permit for Foreign Investors | ||||
🇳🇱 Netherlands | Startup Visa (Self-Employed) | ||||
🇳🇴 Norway | Self-Employed Residence Permit | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | D7 Passive Income Visa | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | D8 Digital Nomad Visa | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | Digital Nomad Visa - Residence Permit | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | Golden Visa Program | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | Job Seeker Visa | ||||
🇵🇹 Portugal | Startup Visa | ||||
🇷🇴 Romania | Digital Nomad Visa | ||||
🇷🇸 Serbia | Digital Nomad Visa | unknown | |||
🇸🇮 Slovenia | Temporary Residence Permit for Digital Nomads | ||||
🇪🇸 Spain | Golden Visa (Investor Residence) | ||||
🇪🇸 Spain | International Telework Visa | ||||
🇪🇸 Spain | Non-Lucrative Visa | ||||
🇪🇸 Spain | Startup Visa (Startup Act / ENISA) | ||||
🇸🇪 Sweden | Residence Permit for Job Seeking | ||||
🇸🇪 Sweden | Startup Visa (Self-Employed) | ||||
🇨🇭 Switzerland | Residence Without Gainful Activity | ||||
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Global Talent Visa | ||||
🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Innovator Founder Visa |