Financial services companies are included in trades which require a permit.
If you wish to provide certain financial services as a freelance worker, you need to apply for a permit from the competent chamber of industry and commerce.
Please note: In case of partnerships without their own legal personality (for example GbR, OHG, KG), all managing partners require their own permit.
You require the permit if you provide investment advice for the following products or wish to broker contracts concerning the purchase of these investments:
- Shares in domestic open investment assets, open EU investment assets or foreign open investment assets which are sold in accordance with the Capital Investments Act (Kapitalanlagegesetzbuch).
- Shares in domestic closed investment assets, closed EU investment assets or foreign closed investment assets which are sold in accordance with the Capital Investments Act (Kapitalanlagegesetzbuch).
- Investment assets in accordance with § 1 Paragraph 2 of the Assets Investment Act (Vermögensanlagengesetz)
Note: For other financial services, you may require a License for financial service providers in accordance with the German Banking Act. Please check which permit is necessary for your business before making the application.
The permit is valid in the whole of Germany and lasts indefinitely (if the authorities do not revoke it). It can be limited to one or more categories.
Tip: More detailed information concerning the permit procedures, checklists and forms can be found in the portal for finance brokers of the chamber of industry and commerce.