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Craft; determination of the necessity of craft registration
The authorization to independently operate a craft requiring a license, a craft not requiring a license and a craft similar to a craft as a standing trade is regulated in the Crafts Code.
Forms
Forms
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Information sheet on commercial activities for delimitation under craft law
This form can be submitted electronically without signature (e.g. via a secure contact form or by e-mail) or in paper form to the responsible authority.
Responsible for you
For contact details of the responsible authoritiy and local valid information select under "Select location" a location.
Procedure details
Description
The Crafts Code (HwO) distinguishes between two categories of skilled trades:
- For trades requiring a license, which are listed in Annex A of the Crafts Code, you need to be entered in the Crafts Register (for more details on the registration requirements, see "Related topics" under "Crafts Register; applying for registration").
- Crafts that do not require a license and similar trades that are listed in Annex B of the Crafts Code can be practiced without special qualifications. They must be registered with the Chamber of Skilled Crafts (more details on registration can be found under "Related topics" under "Skilled crafts law; registration of a craft not requiring a license or a trade similar to a craft").
Separate regulations apply to the temporary and occasional provision of services in a craft requiring a license without a branch in Germany by EU nationals and persons with equivalent status (see in detail under "Related topics" under "Crafts law; notification of cross-border provision of services").
To determine whether your project requires registration under craft law, please complete the information form and send it to your Single Point of Contact or the Chamber of Crafts responsible for you. They can then inform you of the formalities required in your specific case.
Legal bases
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§ 1 Gesetz zur Ordnung des Handwerks (Handwerksordnung - HwO)Zulassungspflichtiges Handwerk, Eintragung in die Handwerksrolle
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§§ 18 - 20 Gesetz zur Ordnung des Handwerks (Handwerksordnung - HwO)zulassungsfreie Handwerke und handwerksähnliche Gewerbe
Related links
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Anlage A zum Gesetz zur Ordnung des Handwerks (Handwerksordnung - HwO)Verzeichnis der Gewerbe, die als zulassungspflichtige Handwerke betrieben werden können
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Anlage B zum Gesetz zur Ordnung des Handwerks (Handwerksordnung - HwO)Verzeichnis der Gewerbe, die als zulassungsfreie Handwerke oder handwerksähnliche Gewerbe betrieben werden können
Related issues
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Vocational training in the skilled trades; application for recognition of professional aptitude for trainingAnyone who wants to hire and train apprentices in skilled trades but is not authorized to train them needs to have their professional aptitude recognized.
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Craft; notification of the start of independent operation of a craft or craft-like trade not requiring a license
If you would like to practice a craft that does not require a license or a trade similar to a craft on a self-employed basis, you must notify your Chamber of Skilled Crafts of the start of your commercial activity.
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Crafts law; notification of cross-border provision of services in a craft requiring a license
The temporary and occasional provision of services of a craft requiring a license by EU nationals and equivalent persons in Germany without a branch must be reported.
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Trade law; information on administrative offensesCrafts law is regulated in the Crafts Code. Among other things, it contains provisions on professional licensing, professional practice, vocational training in the skilled trades and the tasks of the skilled trades organizations. The responsibilities for administrative offenses are regulated separately.
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Craft register; application for authorization to practice another craft requiring a license
Are you registered in the Register of Craftsmen with a craft requiring a license and would like to practice another craft? Then, under certain conditions, you can apply for a license to practice another trade.
Status: 08.08.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie
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