ExpatBusiness.de — Simplifying Business in Germany
Visa & eligibility

What can you start on your visa?

We'll help you understand your options. Explore visa eligibility, compare business types, and get a personalised comparison.

Eligibility questions, answered

No. It reflects the general rules per residence status under German law (AufenthG) and is informational only. Your permit’s individual conditions (Nebenbestimmungen) always win — verify with the Ausländerbehörde or a lawyer.

Pick the closest match for orientation, then contact us with your exact permit wording. Many permits carry individual clauses that allow or restrict self-employment.

The matrix reflects 2026 rules and is reviewed against official sources. Immigration practice still varies by city and case officer, so treat a green result as "normally possible", not a guarantee.

Open the setup roadmap for your legal form — it lists every step, document, typical duration and cost. Or book a consultation and we plan the sequence with you.

Yes — a GmbH/UG can be set up with a Power of Attorney while you apply for a §21 visa from abroad. We coordinate the notary and consulate attestation steps.

Simplified guide based on §21 AufenthG and common practice (2026). Edge cases are decided individually by the Ausländerbehörde — confirm yours before acting. Not legal or immigration advice.