Permits and monitored activities in Germany
(erlaubnispflichtige und überwachungsbedürftige Tätigkeiten)
When opening a business in Germany, there are many things you need to know in order to start your activity correctly. One of those things is knowing if your chosen business activity requires any special permits or there are other requirements to be met. From this article you will learn what activities require a permit (erlaubnispflichtige Tätigkeiten) and what are the so-called “monitored” activities (überwachungsbedürftige Tätigkeiten).
Our company, Nexus-Europe GmbH, assists foreigners with starting and developing their own business in Germany and moving to Germany through business. Over 20 years of operation we have helped more than 7000 customers.
Watch our video about permits and monitored activities (erlaubnispflichtige und überwachungsbedürftige Tätigkeiten):
There are 3 general groups your GmbH or UG may belong to that you need to pay special attention to. You’ll see detailed lists* below:
1. Activities that require a permit (erlaubnispflichtige Tätigkeiten) according to Trade Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung)
The activities are as follows:
- Operation of hospitals
- Display of people, such as cabaret or dance performances,
- Operation of gaming machines and other games with the possibility of winning
- Operation of a gaming arcade
- Operation of pawn-broker’s
- Activities in the security industry
- Carrying out auctions
- Real estate agents, loan brokers, property developers, construction supervisors, residential property managers
- Insurance intermediaries, insurance advisors
- Financial investment brokers
- Fee-based financial investment advisor
- Real estate loan broker
- Travel trade
2. Activities that require a permit according to other laws
Apart from those defined by the Trade Regulation Act, there are following activities requiring a permit according to other laws:
- Ambulatory nursing service
- Pharmacies
- Handling explosives
- Banking and financial services
- Letter transport
- Accounting assistant
- Personnel leasing
- Driving school
- Restaurant business / serving of alcoholic beverages
- Road haulage
- Pharmaceutical production
- Trade, keeping and breeding of animals
- Aviation companies
- Passenger transport including taxi companies
- Broadcasting
- Weapons manufacture and trade, acquisition and possession, use and shooting of firearms
- Debt collection companies
- Credit/capital investments
3. Monitored activities (überwachungsbedürftige Tätigkeiten)
These activities don’t require a special permit however are considered the “monitored”. In such cases, right after the business registration is made the credibility of the business has to be verified by competent authorities.
Such activities include:
- Purchase and sale of high-quality consumer goods, in particular electronics, carpets, fur and leather clothing, motor vehicles and bicycles, precious metals, gemstones, pearls and jewelry, scrap metals,
- Providing information about financial circumstances and personal matters (credit agencies, detective agencies),
- Arranging marriages, partnerships and acquaintances,
- Operating travel agencies and arranging accommodation,
- Sales and installation of building security devices including locksmith services,
- Manufacture and distribution of special theft-related opening tools.
Our company, Nexus-Europe GmbH, assists foreigners with establishing their own successful business in Germany and moving to Germany.
* Source: Chamber of Commerce (IHK)