​​Checklist: What you need to get your German freelance visa 
​​Here’s a step-by-step checklist to go through making it easy and mildly keeping you sane. Links are attached. If anything is broken, reach out to me. 
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  • ​​Find a fluent German speaker 
  • ​​Passport (obvious, but still included)
  • ​​Without doing so, you get nowhere. 
  • ​​Open a bank account
  • ​​Visa Application
  • ​​Application has a fee. They have a machine that takes cash, EC card, and credit cards. It’s no more than €60.
  • ​​Get two (2) biometric photos
  • ​​Google for passport photos in the area you’re staying.
  • ​​Get Health Insurance (Public or Private). 
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  • ​​You won’t obtain a visa without any German insurance though. Just note that.
  • ​​CV / Resume
  • ​​Cover Letter
  • ​​Essentially a mission statement with your profession, what you do, and why you’re interested in obtaining a freelance visa in Germany.
  • ​​Portfolio of your work (Printed; yes…I know)
  • ​​Business Plan (It’s Germany, people)
  • ​​How you’d be generating new clients and work
  • ​​Events you’d be attending 
  • ​​Set goals you plan to achieve
  • ​​Taking a German language course is always brownie points
  • ​​Bank Statement
  • ​​In this case, more money isn’t more problems. The more cash in the bank, the better you look. They want to know you’re not going to tap into the German Bank if you go broke.
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  • ​​If you can, ask a friend or relative to wire you some money. That bank account just needs to look safe. In Germany, it’s all about financial safety.
  • ​​2-3 Recommendation Letters
  • ​​* Contracts are crucial and help a ton.
  • ​​Companies who have agreed to provide you with freelance work over the course of time.
  • ​​A solid contract is even better
  • ​​Tax Accountant
  • ​​You’re going to need one to handle your finances, and all things related to the tax authority. Finding one eliminates a lot of paper work you yourself need to fill out, and less hair you have to rip out of your head.
  • ​​Profit & Loss Statement
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