Understanding the German Trade License (Gewerbeanmeldung) – What Every Entrepreneur Must Know
Starting a business in Germany comes with exciting opportunities, but also specific legal steps you must follow. One of the first and most important steps is obtaining a Gewerbeanmeldung, the official German trade license. In this article, we explain what the Gewerbeanmeldung is, why you need it, and how to get it.
3/28/20252 min read


🧾 Understanding the German Trade License (Gewerbeanmeldung) – What Every Entrepreneur Must Know
Starting a business in Germany comes with exciting opportunities, but also specific legal steps you must follow. One of the first and most important steps is obtaining a Gewerbeanmeldung, the official German trade license.
In this article, we explain what the Gewerbeanmeldung is, why you need it, and how to get it.
✅ What Is the Gewerbeanmeldung?
The Gewerbeanmeldung is the registration of your trade or business with the local trade office (Gewerbeamt). It’s a legal requirement for almost all business activities, whether you’re starting a company (like a GmbH), becoming a self-employed tradesperson, or launching a small online shop.
Without this registration, you cannot legally operate a business in Germany.
🏢 Who Needs to Register?
You must register for a Gewerbeanmeldung if:
• You are opening a commercial business (Handel, Dienstleistung, Produktion, etc.)
• You are a freelancer in professions not classified as “liberal” (freiberuflich)
• You’re planning to employ staff
• You are launching a branch or subsidiary of a foreign company
Exceptions: Certain freelancers (e.g., doctors, lawyers, architects, journalists) don’t need a Gewerbeanmeldung, but must register with the tax office instead
📄 What Documents Are Required?
Here’s what you’ll typically need:
• Valid passport or national ID
• German address for your business (can be home office or coworking)
• Rental contract or letter of consent from your landlord (if applicable)
• For non-EU citizens: a residence permit allowing self-employment
• For companies: Articles of Association (Gesellschaftsvertrag) and registration excerpt (Handelsregisterauszug)
💶 What Does It Cost?
The Gewerbeanmeldung is affordable – usually between €20 to €60, depending on the city. You pay once at the registration appointment.
🕓 How Long Does It Take?
In most cases, registration takes 15–30 minutes at the local trade office. After that, you’ll receive a Gewerbeschein (business license certificate), usually by post within a few days.
📬 What Happens After Registration?
Once you register, your information is automatically forwarded to:
• The Tax Office (Finanzamt) – They’ll send you a questionnaire to get your tax number
• The Chamber of Commerce (IHK or HWK)
• The Trade Supervisory Authority (Gewerbeaufsichtsamt)
• The Statistical Office (for surveys/statistics)
You’re officially in business! But don’t forget:
💡 You must also register for taxes and consider VAT, invoicing, insurance, and more.
🧭 Need Help with Your Gewerbeanmeldung?
At Herzig – Your Business in Germany, we help international entrepreneurs register their businesses hassle-free. From choosing the right business form to submitting all documents, we offer full support in English, Arabic, and German.
👉 Contact us today to get your business started the right way in Germany!
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