Wise Business Group
March 29, 2025
An overview of the requirements for investing in a bakery or café in Germany
The bakery and café market has boomed in recent years in Germany, providing lucrative business opportunities, especially for non-European entrepreneurs. To successfully obtain German residency by starting a bakery or café, you must:
1. Take steps such as preparing a strong business plan, choosing a suitable location, proving financial feasibility, and securing initial capital. Creating local employment opportunities can be a specific advantage for obtaining German residency.
2. Show that your business has a positive impact on the economy of the target region and that you have the financial stability and sufficient capital to launch it. Taking health and pension insurance is mandatory, and for greater credibility, it is better to choose the GmbH legal form for your company in Germany.
3. After consulting with experts, you can register your company in Germany and obtain the necessary licenses. Then, submit your application for German residency to the relevant authorities.
March 19, 2025
Starting a kindergarten in Germany requires following strict regulations and obtaining specific permits. To do this, you must follow these steps:
1. Estimate the demand in the target area and prepare a solid business plan.
2. Choose the appropriate legal form for running your daycare and register your business.
3. Choose a location for the establishment that complies with German building standards and safety regulations.
4. Submit your application for approval of programs and obtaining an operating license to the Youth Welfare Department.
5. Hire certified trainers and qualified personnel for administrative, support, or cleaning tasks.
6. Create an educational program according to the standards and pay attention to the children's needs for growth in daily activities.
7. Decide how to finance the business and the cost structure for parents.
8. Obtain the required insurance and prepare contracts for employees and parents according to regulations.
9. Implement marketing measures and define a process for children's registration.
10. Establish an appropriate management structure for daily activities and create conditions for maximum parental participation.
11. Be prepared for regular inspections by the Youth Welfare Office and continuously focus on improving the quality of your daycare.
March 10, 2025
A brief look at the steps to opening a café in Germany
1. The first step is to register your business with the local trade office. Then, you can obtain a business certificate and apply for tax registration. You will also need a restaurant license to serve alcoholic beverages.
2. Before starting your café in Germany, you must get approval from the health department. Then, attend food hygiene training sessions and comply with relevant regulations.
3. If you want to make changes to your café space in Germany, you must apply for a building permit. Then, you will also need to obtain a fire safety permit.
4. If you plan to serve alcoholic beverages or play music in your café in Germany, you will need to apply for the relevant permits.
February 8, 2025
An overview of eight key points for buying a ready-made factory in Germany
1. Compliance with laws and regulations: Ensure valid company registration (GmbH or UG), compliance with regional laws, obtaining environmental permits, and adherence to health and safety standards.
2. Financial assessment: Review the purchase and operation cost, factory due diligence, and tax implications with a financial advisor.
3. Business Evaluation: Check the property ownership, contracts, equipment status, employee contracts, and legal obligations of the desired factory in Germany.
4. Location Analysis: Assess accessibility, local labor, and proximity to markets.
5. Financing: Use bank loans and government incentives, or attract private investors to buy and develop the desired factory.
6. Cultural and commercial issues: Overcome language barriers, become familiar with business etiquette, and build effective relationships.
7. Obtaining professional help: Hire a real estate agent, lawyer, tax advisor, and technical engineer for expert guidance.
8. Ownership transfer planning: Develop a plan for transitioning operations, training employees, and deciding whether to rebrand or integrate.
January 17, 2025
Obtaining an export license (Ausfuhrgenehmigung) from the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) requires the following eight simple steps:
1. Check if the goods you considered goods require a license.
2. Register with BAFA through the ELAN-K2 system.
3. Collect required documents such as end-use certificates and invoices.
4. Submit your request for a license to BAFA online.
5. Wait for the BAFA review and be ready for additional requests!
6. Receive BAFA's final decision to approve or provide feedback on your application.
7. Follow the conditions related to the license strictly.
8. If necessary, renew your license for continuous export.
Note: Cases involving exports of goods with dual military and civilian uses or exports to sanctioned countries require greater caution!
By carefully following the above steps, you can ensure your success in obtaining an export license in Germany and starting your export business.
December 17, 2024
A brief look at prominent points for regulating the company object in Germany
• Accuracy and transparency: State your company object clearly and understandably and use general terms to maintain flexibility.
• Alignment with business activities: Mention all of the company's current and anticipated activities in your chosen topic.
• Legal compliance: Ensure that your company's activities comply with German laws and obtain required licenses for specific industries.
• Tax considerations: Structure your company object in Germany free of unwanted tax consequences.
• Broad vs. limited scope: Avoid overly general terms and add essential details to the subject of your activity.
• Industry-Specific Details: Focus on specific industry areas such as manufacturing, services, and research.
• Inclusion of side activities: Specify additional company activities such as administrative duties or side investments.
• Flexibility for future reforms: Set your activity theme so that you can change it.
• Professional language: For clarity with legal authorities, use formal legal and business language.
• Consulting with experts: Consult an attorney or tax advisor for legal and tax compliance.
November 20, 2024
In summary, we can say that the initial capital needed to start a business in Germany consists of the following factors:
• The chosen business structure
• The industry sector in which you are going to operate.
• The geographical location of the business in Germany
• The operational scale
• Market conditions
• Technological needs
• Unforeseen costs
It is necessary to carefully evaluate all of these factors and make necessary plans for them before starting your business. In this case, you can successfully go through the business starting process in Germany and ensure the viability of your company.
September 26, 2024
An overview of the financial requirements for obtaining a self-employment residence permit in Germany
As an applicant for a self-employed residence permit in Germany, you must provide documents based on having sufficient financial resources to start a business and cover your expenses in Germany. Also, you need to prove that your business has a good chance of success in the German market and can be favorably profitable. Other financial requirements include:
• A document based on obtaining private or public health insurance in Germany
• Realistic predictions of how to make money in the first years after starting a business in Germany
• A document based on the ability to provide the minimum required initial capital and start-up costs
Evidence of the ability to cover other expenses in a business setting up procedure in Germany, including licensing fees, office space, and operational requirements.
September 16, 2024
A summary of the crucial points for self-employment through import or export in Germany
To answer your questions regarding import or export in Germany, you can get help from the following institutions and authorities:
Rules and regulations:
• German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA): It is possible to see the regulations related to import or export restriction of commercial goods here.
• German Federal Agriculture and Food Agency (BLE): This department is responsible for checking export or import restrictions of agricultural products.
• Customs: You should get complete information about customs rules and regulations. You can access this information through the Atlas electronic system and handle your customs affairs online.
Information on countries, markets, and a database for searching business partners
• Foreign chambers of commerce, as your contacts in the target country, can provide information in this field.
• German trade and investment also provide great information and support international businesses.
• You can also search for information and business partners on the iXPOS portal.
Export insurance
• Click here to enter the federal information portal related to export insurance in Germany.
Foreign trade statistics and data
• The Federal Bureau of Statistics provides foreign trade data.
• These data are presented graphically in the Foreign Trade Statistical Atlas.
