Visas for Setting Up Business

At some point within the process of setting up a new company in Germany, investors usually have to come to Germany in person. In principle, all nationals outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland require a visa to perform the steps necessary to set up a business in Germany. Exemptions exist for certain nationals from a number of different countries.

Please also refer to:

For most of the activities in the formation phase of your business, a Schengen Travel Visa (in this context often termed a business visa) is sufficient.

It enables its holder to stay in Germany for up to three months per half year, during which time business activities can be performed, including for example:

• Conclusion and notarization (where necessary) of the company agreement

• Commercial register application (through a German notary)

• Trade office notification

• Other preparatory activities for setting up a business 

Schengen Travel Visa applicants (business visa applicants) will usually be asked to present certain documentation such as:

• a letter of invitation by the German business partner

• documentation of employment and salary certificate

• a letter from the applicant’s employer confirming the business purpose of the trip

•  proof of travel health insurance

Where the entrepreneur personally applies for a Schengen Travel Visa (business visa), documents such as a copy of the foreign company's entry in the foreign commercial register, articles of association, and bank statements from the last three months may also be required.

For more inforamtion on how to apply for a visa, please refer to:

In some cases, authorities might require a national visa, namely a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment (Aufenthaltserlaubnis für selbstständige Tätigkeit), during the last phases of setting up a company.

If business proceedings for setting up a company exceed a period of three months per half year such a visa is also required.

A residence permit for the purpose of self-employment allows individuals to perform all of the steps necessary to establishing a business in Germany as well as running the business on-site.