How to Get a Freelance Visa for Germany: Step-by-Step Guide

Germany has become one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for freelancers, creatives and remote workers looking for a stable base with a high quality of life.

Whether you’re a designer, a writer, a software developer or a language teacher: the Germany freelance visa — also known as the Freiberufler visa — can be your key to living and working legally in cities like Berlin, Hamburg or Munich.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about applying for a freelance visa in Germany, including:

Who qualifies
What documents you need
How to prepare for your visa appointment
The difference between freelance and self-employment visas
Why health insurance is not optional
How Feather can help you meet the legal requirements with ease

Let’s dive in.

What is the freelance visa for Germany?

Germany’s freelance visa, or Freiberufler Aufenthaltstitel, is a residence permit that allows non-EU citizens to live and work in Germany as independent professionals. It’s designed for people offering services in liberal professions — and that’s a very broad criteria that includes artists, educators, journalists, translators and certain tech professionals.

The Germany freelance visa is not the same as the Germany business visa (also called the Selbständiger visa), which is typically for entrepreneurs starting a company or hiring staff. The freelance visa is tailored towards solo professionals who can provide services to German or international clients.

Who can apply for the Germany freelance visa?

To be eligible for the Germany visa for freelancers, you need to meet a few basic criteria:

You must be a non-EU/non-EEA citizen
You must work in a profession classified as a “liberal profession” (freelance, not commercial)
You must have clients or potential clients in Germany
You must prove financial stability to support yourself
You must have valid health insurance that complies with German legal requirements (generally, that's either private health insurance or expat health insurance)

Common freelance professions accepted include:

Writers and editors
Designers and photographers
Musicians and artists
Software developers
Language teachers or translators
Consultants and coaches

If your work is more business-oriented — like running a shop, employing others or launching a startup — you may fall under the self-employment visa (Selbständiger), which has slightly different requirements.

Where should you live with your German freelance visa?

Germany has a federal system, which means requirements can vary slightly by region. Some of the most freelancer-friendly cities include:

Berlin: The most popular city for international freelancers, especially in the creative and tech sectors. This means you can expect higher demand and longer processing times.
Hamburg: A good option for writers, consultants and media professionals, Hamburg is a great destination for a vibrant freelance life.
Munich: Business-oriented but more expensive, Munich is a city that is ideal if you work in the finance or engineering sectors.
Leipzig and Cologne: These are both growing freelance hubs with lower living costs and increasing opportunities.

How to apply for a freelance visa from Germany

Applying for a freelance visa while you’re already living in the country is possible and often more straightforward. It’s an option if you’re already in Germany on a valid visa (such as a tourist or job-seeker visa). Here’s how the process works:

Gather your documents

These include:

Your passport
A biometric photo
Proof of residence registration (Anmeldung), if available
Proof of health insurance
A detailed portfolio or CV
Letters of intent or contracts from German clients
A finance plan showing how you’ll support yourself.
You’ll also need to complete the application form and pay the visa fee – this ranges from €75 to €100 depending on what country you’re in.

Secure German health insurance

German health insurance is not optional – it’s required. To apply for a freelance visa in Germany, you must provide proof of valid, comprehensive health insurance. The plan must:

Be from a German or recognised EU provider
Cover basic health care, hospital treatment, and emergencies
Include no deductibles (some public consulates are strict on this)
Be valid for the duration of your stay

Feather’s expat health insurance plans are specifically designed to meet visa requirements — and they’re surprisingly affordable, especially for freelancers and the self-employed. Unlike public or traditional private insurance, which can cost twice as much for freelancers as for employees, Feather’s plans start at just €72, making them a much more accessible option.

It's also fully digital, visa-compliant, and you can sign up in minutes, with all documentation available in both English and German. It couldn’t be simpler.

If you’re looking for more extensive coverage, consider exploring private health insurance for the self-employed.

Attend your visa appointment

Book an appointment at your local Ausländerbehörde (Foreigner’s Office). It’s recommended to book this as early as possible, as wait times can be long in cities like Berlin or Munich.

At your appointment, you’ll present your documents and explain your freelance activity. Make sure to clearly demonstrate that your work is in demand and that you have German clients — this is key to getting approved.

If successful, you’ll receive a residence permit that allows you to live and work in Germany as a freelancer. It’s usually granted for one to three years and can be extended if you continue meeting the requirements.

How to apply for a freelance visa from abroad

To get started, you’ll need to apply through your local German embassy or consulate before entering the country.

Here’s how to prepare and apply for your Germany freelance visa from abroad:

Gather your documents

You’ll need to prepare a solid portfolio of documents for your visa appointment. These include:

A valid passport
Completed application form for residence permit
A cover letter explaining your work, why you want to live in Germany, and how you plan to support yourself
A detailed CV or résumé
A portfolio of your previous freelance work
Letters of intent or contracts from German clients (ideally 2–3)
Proof of financial stability (bank statements, savings, income forecast)
Proof of address in Germany (rental contract or sublet agreement)
Professional license or degree (if applicable to your field)
Health insurance certificate that meets German requirements.

Again, having German clients on paper before applying significantly increases your chances of approval. If you don’t yet have clients in Germany, try networking on platforms like Xing or local freelancer groups, like this one, before you apply. It could make all the difference to your success.

Secure German health insurance

Again, heath insurance is not optional – it’s essential. You must show proof of valid, comprehensive health insurance to apply for a freelance visa in Germany.

Attend your visa appointment after arriving in Germany

Book an appointment with the Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners’ Office). Processing times can vary widely by city, so book early.

Bring all original documents and multiple copies. You may also need to pay an application fee (typically €100–€110). This step is necessary after arriving in Germany.

Germany freelance visa: common mistakes to avoid

Give yourself the very best shot at a successful Germany freelance visa application by avoiding these common pitfalls:

Not having German clients lined up beforehand
Submitting incomplete or poorly translated documents
Using travel insurance instead of “real” health insurance
Underestimating the importance of a well-written cover letter

Many rejections come from insufficient financial documentation or unclear insurance. Make sure your plan is approved for visa purposes — not just for travel.

What to do after moving to Germany

Register your address

Before you can apply for your residence permit, you need to register your address at the local registration office (Bürgeramt). The process of registering at an address is called Anmeldung and for this you’ll need:

Your passport
A rental contract
A signed confirmation from your landlord (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)

This step is essential for getting your tax ID, opening a bank account and moving forward with your visa process.

Apply for a tax number

As a freelancer, you’ll also need to register with the tax office (Finanzamt) to get a freelancer tax ID. This allows you to issue invoices legally and pay taxes. You’ll fill out a form called the Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung, which asks for your estimated income and business details.

How long is the visa valid for?

Most freelance visas are issued for one to three years, depending on your income, client base and insurance coverage. You can renew your visa if you continue to meet the requirements, and in some cases, you can apply for permanent residency after five years.

Why health insurance matters

The German government requires all residents to have valid health insurance — and that includes freelancers. Without it, your visa application will be rejected.

Feather’s insurance plans are built with expats and freelancers in mind. Whether you’re applying from abroad or switching from a temporary policy, Feather offers:

Visa-compliant coverage with no deductibles
Full documentation in English and German
Fast online signup with no paperwork
Customer support from real people who understand the system

Start your Germany freelance visa journey with Feather

Moving to Germany as a freelancer is exciting, but it can be overwhelming without the right support. From gathering documents to securing the right insurance, preparation is key to getting your visa approved.

Feather makes the process easier by providing simple, trustworthy health insurance tailored to freelancers and expats in Germany. No hidden fees, no language barriers, no delays — just coverage you can count on.