Requirements & information centres

Business start-ups can expect promising growth and development prospects in Rhineland-Palatinate. The federal state's dynamic and diverse economic structure provides feasible conditions to set up shop. 

The Rhineland-Palatinate Chambers of Industry and Commerce and Chambers of Crafts will be pleased to assist you in implementing your start-up project successfully at their advisory service centres for founders (Starterzentrum). If you decide to set up a business in Rhineland-Palatinate, stable political and economic conditions aexpect you benefit of the immediate proximity to the neighbouring countries of France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Design a company open to the world by using your knowledge of your own country of origin to establish an international network. We show you how to find your individual path as a business founder in Germany.

Requirements for setting up a business in Rhineland-Palatinate

There are several requirements that you must meet before getting started with your business idea in Rhineland-Palatinate. 

Requirements according to residential law 

Due to the prevailing freedom of establishment, citizens of the European Union as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland may settle and set up business in Germany. Citizens from third countries require a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment in order to be able to establish a business in Germany. If you are located outside of Germany, you need a visa for the purpose of self-employment. You can apply for it at a German mission abroad in your country of origin. Find further information on this procedure at "Make it in Germany".

Recognition of qualifications 

In either case, be aware of the legal requirements you must meet in order to become self-employed in Germany with your qualifications. In some professions, it is necessary to apply for recognition of your professional qualifications. This applies to activities in the health, legal and educational sectors, as well as in the crafts. Therefore, you should allow sufficient time to be able to gather information in advance. On "Make it in Germany" as well as „Wir gründen in Deutschland“ (Start a business in Germany), you will find further information on the recognition procedure in Germany.

Types of business start-ups: freelance or self-employed? 

In Germany, a distinction is made between so-called freelance or self-employed activities. Depending on the nature of your activity, formalities and the legal structure of your company will change. Freelance activities - also known as "Freie Berufe" - are, for instance, healthcare professions, consulting, scientific and technical, information-providing (i.e. journalistic) or creative and educational activities. Further information regarding the freelance professions can be obtained from the “Landesverband der Freien Berufe Rheinland-Pfalz e.V.” as well as on the business start-up website of the state government of Rhineland-Palatinate and also personally through the advisory service centres for founders (Starterzentrum) of the Chambers of industry and commerce and Chambers of crafts.

Self-employed activities include, for example, professions in crafts, trade or industry. You must register a business in order to exercise such a profession. This can be done at the town hall of the town in which you wish to practise your profession. Please note that there are certain admission requirements for some businesses, since they are subject to prior authorisation (erlaubnispflichtige Gewerbe). In order to register such a business you will require certain permits, licenses or professional qualifications. Further information regarding the self-employed professions can be obtained from „Wir gründen in Deutschland"  as well as on „Make it in Germany“ and also personally through the advisory service centres for founders (Starterzentrum) of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce and Chambers of Crafts.

Information centres in Rhineland-Palatinate

You are planning to start a business? We recommend you schedule a consultation appointment with experts on this subject. If you are interested in setting up a business in the crafts sector, you can obtain individual consultation directly from the Chamber of Crafts in your area. The Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Rhineland-Palatinate offer services for people interested in setting up a business in the industrial and commercial sector. Furthermore, you can consult the following information and advice centres: 

• A first point of contact is the business start-up website of the state government of Rhineland-Palatinate. Here you will also find comprehensive information on financing and funding your project as well as interesting events and helpful webinars on the subject of setting up a business. 
• The Institute for Liberal Professions in Rhineland-Palatinate also offers advice on setting up a business in the liberal professions. 
• For self-employed people in the sectors of industry, trade or crafts, the so called “Starterzentrum” of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce and the Chambers of Crafts in Rhineland-Palatinate function as central points of contact. 
• Please also visit the website of the "Uternehmenswerkstatt Rheinland-Pfalz", which was created in cooperation with the Chambers of Industry and Commerce, Chambers of Crafts and other business start-up supporting institutions. They offer a digital tool for the preparation of a business plan, as well as digital individual consultation by consultants who support you throughout the entire process.

You can also contact the nationwide information centres. A comprehensive list of points of contacts can be found on the BMWi business start-up portal or by clicking on the authorities' guide (Behördenwegweiser).

Information centres in Rhineland-Palatinate

You are planning to start a business? We recommend you schedule a consultation appointment with experts on this subject. If you are interested in setting up a business in the crafts sector, you can obtain individual consultation directly from the Chamber of Crafts in your area. The Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Rhineland-Palatinate offer services for people interested in setting up a business in the industrial and commercial sector. Furthermore, you can consult the following information and advice centres: 

• A first point of contact is the business start-up website of the state government of Rhineland-Palatinate. Here you will also find comprehensive information on financing and funding your project as well as interesting events and helpful webinars on the subject of setting up a business. 
• The Institute for Liberal Professions in Rhineland-Palatinate also offers advice on setting up a business in the liberal professions. 
• For self-employed people in the sectors of industry, trade or crafts, the so called “Starterzentrum” of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce and the Chambers of Crafts in Rhineland-Palatinate function as central points of contact. 
• Please also visit the website of the "Gründungswerkstatt Rheinland-Pfalz", which was created in cooperation with the Chambers of Industry and Commerce, Chambers of Crafts and other business start-up supporting institutions. They offer a digital tool for the preparation of a business plan, as well as digital individual consultation by consultants who support you throughout the entire process.

You can also contact the nationwide information centres. A comprehensive list of points of contacts can be found on the BMWi business start-up portal or by clicking on the authorities' guide (Behördenwegweiser).