Craft or trade businesses (cross-border services)

You have the right to temporary or occasionally provide services with a craft or trade business that is subject to registration in Germany if you have a legally established similar business in another EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Iceland.

When exercising a trade in Germany, the following legal provisions generally apply:

• German trade regulations (GewO)
• Crafts and Trade Code (HwO)
• EU EEA Crafts and Trades Regulation (EU-EWRHwV)

Appendix A of the Crafts and Trade Code holds a list showing all occupations that are seen as crafts and trades.

Appendix B of the Crafts and Trade Code holds a list showing all occupations that are seen as businesses similar to craft and trade businesses.

Prior to providing your service for the first time, you have to notify your trade activity to the competent Chamber of Trades and Crafts. The notification may also be submitted to the Point of Single Contact "Einheitlicher Ansprechpartner Schleswig-Holstein". For further information and the notification form, go to the section "Register of craftsmen: "Notice of exemption for citizens of other EU member states" in the authority finder Schleswig-Holstein.

to the ZuFiSH service: "Register of craftsmen: Notice of exemption for citizens of other EU member states"

With the exemption of a few areas that are subject to special arrangements, you can start your trade in Germany immediately after notification of your trade activity. You do not have to wait for the acknowledgement of receipt that you will receive within one month from notification from the competent Chamber of Trades and Crafts.

Exemptions from the permission to provide services immediately after completed registration (legal exemption):

If you want to provide cross-border services in one of the following trades, please observe the applicable legal exemptions.

• Chimney sweeper
• Optometrist
• Hearing aid audiologist
• Orthopaedic technician
• Orthopaedic shoemaker
• Dental technician

to the legal exemptions

What do I have to bear in mind when registering?

The notification must be signed by hand or bear a qualified electronic signature and must include the following documents:

• Application form (filled out completely) Notification of temporary provision of services acc. to § 8 (1) of the EU/EEA Crafts and Trades Regulations - status: July 2015)
• Copy of identification card/passport or a similar proof of identification
• Proof of legal establishment in the home country; if required in the home country: Proof of entry in the register

• Proof of competence or proof of exercise of a profession:

  • Proof of qualification if the activity is a regulated profession in the country of origin
  • Proof of education and training if the profession is not regulated in the country of origin, but the training leading to the profession is subject to regulation
  • Proof that you have pursued the profession in question for at least two years as self-employed craftsman in your country of origin if neither the profession nor the education and training leading to the profession is regulated in your home country

for download: Application form - Notification of temporary provision of a service

When do I have to renew my notification?

If you want to provide again a service you have already notified, you have to renew your notification (informal letter) once a year. Renewal of notification is done at the competent Chamber of Trades and Crafts or via the Point of Single Contact Schleswig-Holstein.

Furthermore, any relevant changes in the notified business must be notified to the Chamber of Trades and Crafts without undue delay.