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Germany

https://www.germany-visa.org/freelance-visa/#2

Germany has efficient public transport, world-famous dishes and festivals. Going outside of the cities, you’ve got loads of areas of natural beauty to explore, with 16 national parks, including The Black Forest National Park. Travelling around by bicycle is common, so get used to being on two wheels.

It’s another nation who are more environmentally conscious, with governmental policy protecting forests and other green areas. Like Estonia, the water quality is excellent and the rivers and lakes are super clean. Germany is dog-friendly too. They’re allowed in most places, including shopping malls and restaurants.

Germans are efficient: stuff works and runs on time, essentially. If you’re a stickler for rules and punctuality, this is your destination.

Name of visa: Two types of Freelancer Visa: Visa for freelance employment (Freiberufler) and Visa for self-employment (Selbständiger)

Length of stay: Three months

Can I extend my stay? Yes

Requirements:

  • Completed national entry visa application form
  • Valid passport
  • Two recently taken biometric photographs.
  • Public or private health or travel insurance
  • Recommendation letters from the previous employer
  • An up-to-date CV
  • Portfolio of previous work
  • Professional authorisation, if planning to practice a profession that requires prior experience in the field, e.g. medicine or law
  • Certificates of former education
  • Enough financial means, demonstrated through bank statements
  • Profit/loss statement from intended freelance activity
  • Evidence of a freelance plan.
  • At least two letters of commitment from future customers/employers, showing their intent to employ you when you enter Germany

Minimum salary: €9,000 per year (£7,926)

How to apply: Via appointment with your nearest German embassy

See also: A guide to working in the Berlin tech scene

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Anna Jordan

Anna is Senior Reporter, covering topics affecting SMEs such as grant funding, managing employees and the day-to-day running of a business.

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