To exercise a craft trade in Germany, you must comply with the legal provisions of the Crafts Code (HwO). Which professions belong to a craft or a craft-like trade can be found in Annexes A, B1 and B2 of the HwO.
If you are a craftsperson from the following states, have a business there and wish to carry out temporary work in Germany, you must observe certain regulations:
- other member states of the European Union (EU)
- another contracting state to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
Trades and crafts similar to trades that do not require a licence
The self-employed activityin Germany does not require a specific professional qualification. The crafts and trades concerned are listed in Annexes B1 and B2 to the Crafts Code. Foreign businesses can therefore carry out this work without having to prove certain prerequisites to the Chambers of Skilled Crafts beforehand or having to notify the activity.
Crafts requiring authorisation
Nationals of one of the above-mentionedare permitted to provide services on a temporary and occasional basis. To do so, you must meet certain requirements if the craft in question is subject to authorisation. The crafts concerned are listed in Annex A to the Crafts Code. You must notify the Chamber of Skilled Crafts of the exercise of a craft requiring authorisation.