Tips for moving to Germany?

[whattodo]

Asking some questions on the accounting forum it sounds like being a freelancer isn't so clear cut...

If you work for the same Client co. all the time and use their hardware under their supervision, you'll have no basis to be FL. The only "Propper" way is to do Work Packages at your own "Office" with your own hardware.

That's what is was told by the local Finazamt Chief...

That could potentially make the take from a Client Co's contract pretty poor (<50%?) Here's me thinking there wouldn't be some wooly definition of freelance versus employed

[The Lone Gunman]

Asking some questions on the accounting forum it sounds like being a freelancer isn't so clear cut...



That could potentially make the take from a Client Co's contract pretty poor (<50%?) Here's me thinking there wouldn't be some wooly definition of freelance versus employed

It is less wooly than in the UK, but still not perfect.
You need to show you are a business and even the trivial things help. A business card, letterheaded paper etc. A web site (doesnt have to be fancy) are all plus pointers for you.

The one client issue can be a problem but if presented properly it does not have to be.
If you have had 1 client for 10 years then they will ask questions. If you have had 10 clients in 10 years they will accept this as multiple clients.
They do understand that for most contracts you will have to be full time on the clients site.

You will be better if you can get the client to produce a declared "work package" though you can still be freelance even if it is and "arbeitsuberlassung something" or AUG agreement.

I am in SW Germany. What Darmstadt says about registering is true, but not as heavily enforced as he suggests. I have had issues with deposits.

There are a few of us out here. Blaster in Frankfurt, Chef in Munich. Dont know where Darmie is right now and I am near Friedrichshafen. Chef has been to Stuttgart so one of us probably has some idea fo where you are looking for.

BTW its TLG not LGM

[chef]

There are a few of us out here. Chef in Munich.

Chef has been to Stuttgart

Stuttgart is bloody expensive to rent, Munich is much nicer with more choice IMO

BTW its TLG not LGM

It's in the details

[darmstadt]

Dont know where Darmie is right now and I am near Friedrichshafen.

Darmstadt of course but working mainly in Bonn for the government at the moment. Actually I'm primarily working for the Finanzamt and Zollamt (both state and states) and some of the information that I hear is quite interesting. I'm also the only foreigner

[AlfredJPruffock]

Darmstadt of course but working mainly in Bonn for the government at the moment. Actually I'm primarily working for the Finanzamt and Zollamt (both state and states) and some of the information that I hear is quite interesting. I'm also the only foreigner

So when's WW3 due ?

[darmstadt]

So when's WW3 due ?

Its already started by the looks of it, Finanzamt vs. British Contractors

[AlfredJPruffock]

Its already started by the looks of it, Finanzamt vs. British Contractors

[BlasterBates]

...hang on there are two separate issues here:

Freelancer vs Gewerbe(business)
Self-employed vs disguised employee

the first is about demonstrating you're an Engineer, ie. a professional as opposd to a blue-collar type to avoid business tax a "Freiberfudler", the second is about proving you're really self-employed, to avoid Social Insurance, 500 EUR a month.

Having business cards not supervised etc etc is about avoiding disguised employment status. This done by the German Pension Authority and not the Finanzamt. You only worry about this after a few years, involves no penalties as it isn't a tax.

The Freelancer thing is to prove that you are an "Engineer". they look at what you do. Complex system programming is considered "Engineer" if you do simple stuff this is not. There is the grey area.