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Stay informed for a smooth start!
Depending on your industry and business idea, you may need permits before you can start. Get an initial overview.
Start a business without surprises
Register your business and get going? It’s not always quite that simple. In Germany, different permits, licenses or registrations are required depending on the industry and profession. Among other things, they help ensure professional expertise and quality, protect consumers and employees, and maintain reliable standards.
Here you’ll find an initial overview of activities that may require a permit. The relevant authorities determine whether your business idea requires permits and, if so, which ones.
The experts in our advice network can also help with your questions.
Examples of activities requiring permits
Skilled trades
(hairdressers, bricklayers, carpenters, painters, automotive technicians, etc.)
Entry in the register of skilled trades
Where applicable, master craftsman qualification required for regulated trades
Restaurants and catering
Instruction under the Infection Protection Act and compliance with hygiene rules
Brokers and intermediaries
(insurance, real estate, financial investments, etc.)
Permit under the German Trade Regulation Act
Care services and healthcare professions
Professional permits, licenses to practice or approvals may be required
Taxi, hire car and bus companies
Permit under the German Passenger Transport Act
Liberal professions
(e.g. doctors, lawyers, tax advisors)
For regulated professions, a professional license and often membership of the relevant chamber
Guide to public authorities
What do you need to do, and where? Who can help you?
You’ll find a summary of institutions and public offices relevant to starting a business, with descriptions of their responsibilities, on the BMWE business startup portal.
Points of contact in the region
Local contacts can help you resolve open questions. Here you’ll find the main points of contact for starting a business in the Goslar district.
Learn from others to move your project forward.
Find support in our community:
- Connect with startups, businesses, funders, advisers and investors across Lower Saxony
- Search, connect and be discovered
- Events and informal meet-ups
