How to Register as a Freelancer in Germany

How to Register as a Freelancer in Germany — and Why Sorted is Your Best Friend

Moving to Germany and starting your freelance journey can feel like stepping into a maze of forms, rules, and bureaucracy. But the good news is, you’re not alone. Thanks to digital tools like Sorted, navigating self-employment in Germany has never been easier.

In this post, we'll cover how to become a freelancer/self-employed individual or start a small business in Germany — and how Sorted can help you register, manage invoices, and even tackle taxes like a pro (without needing to speak fluent German or spend money!).

What is Sorted?

Sorted (by Deel Inc.) is a modern, English-speaking platform designed to help freelancers and self-employed people in Germany handle the often-intimidating bureaucracy around:

Freelance registration
Invoicing clients
Tax reports (like the Einnahmenüberschussrechnung or "income surplus statement")
VAT returns
Submitting tax returns directly to the Finanzamt (tax office)

It’s free to start, intuitive to use, and specifically built for expats and freelancers who are just trying to get things done without drowning in paperwork or needing a tax advisor on speed dial.

Step-by-Step: How to Register as a Freelancer in Germany (with Sorted)

1. Check your freelance status

In Germany, you can either be a Freiberufler (liberal profession) or a Gewerbetreibender (small business owner).

Freiberufler include:

Designers
Developers
Consultants
Journalists
Translators

If you offer creative, intellectual, or educational services, chances are you fall into this category.

If your work is more commercial (like selling products), you’ll need to register a Gewerbe (small business).

Sorted helps you figure this out during the registration process.

2. Register with the Tax Office (Finanzamt)

Normally, registering means filling out the intimidating Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung — a form that's entirely in German and full of tricky tax lingo.

But with Sorted, you can complete this form in English and submit it digitally for free. Here’s how:

Go to Sorted’s registration page
Create an account
Answer the guided questions in English
Sorted fills out the official tax form for you
Submit it to the Finanzamt electronically

You’ll receive your Steuernummer (tax number) within a few weeks.

3. Start Invoicing Clients

Once you're registered, you can start invoicing clients. Sorted offers a built-in invoicing tool where you can:

Create and send invoices in English or German
Automatically calculate VAT (MwSt)
Track unpaid invoices
Export financial summaries for bookkeeping

It’s a clean, professional system that makes you look legit from day one.

What About Small Businesses (Gewerbe)?

If you're not a Freiberufler and your work involves selling goods or commercial services, you’ll need to:

Register a Gewerbe at your local Gewerbeamt/Rathaus (city office)
Pay a small registration fee (usually €20–€60)
Notify the Finanzamt (you can use Sorted for this part)
Keep track of income & expenses (Sorted helps here too)
File Gewerbesteuer (business tax) if your income is high enough

Sorted doesn’t handle Gewerbe registration yet, but you can still use it for invoicing, tax filing, and managing income/expenses once you're registered.

Why Sorted Is a Game-Changer for Expats in Germany

✅ 100% in English
✅ No tax jargon
✅ Works for both beginners and pros
✅ Submit taxes without needing an expensive tax advisor
✅ Free to use (with optional paid tax support if needed)
✅ Built for German bureaucracy — but makes it painless

Bonus: What Else Can Sorted Do?

Monthly VAT reports
Automatic reminders for tax deadlines
Export documents for your tax advisor (if you use one)
Collaborate with an accountant in-app
Prepare your annual tax return (even if you’re part-time freelancing)

Final Thoughts

Starting your freelance life in Germany might seem daunting at first — but with tools like Sorted, it's totally manageable, even for non-German speakers.

Whether you’re a graphic designer in Berlin, a developer in Munich, or a translator in Hamburg, Sorted can help you register, send invoices, and stay compliant with the tax office without losing your mind.

💬 Ready to get started?
Check out Sorted by Deel Inc. and start your freelance journey today!