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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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Procedure details

The register of proprietors of a craft that does not require a license or a craft-like trade is a register in which all

  • natural persons and
  • legal entities and
  • partnerships with legal capacity

who operate a craft that does not require a license or a trade similar to a craft. Crafts that do not require a license are listed in Section 1 of Annex B of the Crafts Code.

These include, among others:

  • Watchmakers,
  • Goldsmiths and silversmiths,
  • wood carvers,
  • sailmakers,
  • shoemakers,
  • millers,
  • brewers and maltsters,
  • textile cleaners,
  • building cleaners,
  • photographers,
  • bookbinders and
  • violin makers.

Trades similar to crafts are listed in Section 2 of Annex B of the Crafts Code. These include, among others:

  • Ironworkers,
  • floor layers,
  • metal grinders and metal polishers,
  • vehicle recyclers,
  • pipe and sewer cleaners,
  • ice cream makers,
  • beauticians and
  • piano tuners.

In order for the register to be kept correctly, there is a legal obligation to notify the Chamber of Skilled Crafts of the commencement or termination of self-employment in a craft or similar trade that does not require a license. Notification of the start of operations triggers a procedure for entry in the register.

  • You are self-employed in a craft or trade similar to a craft that does not require a license.
  • The registration includes anyone who carries out entrepreneurial activities in a craft or craft-like trade that does not require a license. The obligation to notify and register applies to the owners, in the case of partnerships to the partners and in the case of corporations to the authorized representatives (e.g. managing director of a GmbH) of the respective company.

  • Required document/s

    The actual notification of the start of operation of a craft that does not require a license or a craft-like trade can be made informally. The following documents must be submitted for the subsequent registration procedure:

    Sole proprietorship:

    • Copy of identity card or comparable identification document
    • Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later)

    Companies under civil law (GbR):

    • Copies of the identity cards or comparable identification documents of the partners or persons authorized to represent the company
    • Copy of the articles of association (if not concluded informally)
    • Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later)

    Commercial partnerships with legal capacity, general partnerships (OHG), limited partnerships (KG) and corresponding foreign company forms:

    • Copies of the identity cards or comparable identification documents of the partners or persons authorized to represent the company
    • For proof of the company's legal form
      • for companies domiciled in Germany:
        • for companies entered in the commercial register: extract from the register, for OHGs additionally a copy of the articles of association
        • if no entry has been made in the register: copy of the articles of association
      • for foreign legal forms:
        • Extract from the relevant foreign register for companies entered in registers, otherwise - copy of the articles of association
    • Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later)

    Legal entities - limited liability company (GmbH), limited liability entrepreneurial company (UG), public limited company (AG), registered cooperative (eG):

    • Copies of the identity cards or comparable identification documents of the persons authorized to represent the company
    • for proof of the company's legal form:
      • for companies based in Germany: extract from the commercial or cooperative register
      • for foreign legal forms: Extract from the relevant foreign register
    • Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later after entry in the register of craftsmen)

Bavaria-wide supplement

The notification of commencement must be submitted to the Chamber of Skilled Crafts in whose district the commercial establishment is located. The entry is then made in the business register.

Bavaria-wide supplement

about 70 - 153 EUR

Electronic payment via online banking is possible. Information on this is provided by the relevant Chamber of Crafts.

Immediately upon commencement of business activity

Status: 12.11.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Die Senatorin für Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Europa der Freien Hansestadt Bremen + Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie
Source: Federal Portal
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