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IMPORTANT: Select a location.To obtain application forms, location-specific information and contacts, select a town or zip code.

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Which place to enter?

The location is used to determine the responsible office for the selected administrative service. In most cases you can enter your place of residence to find the competent authority. However, there are also cases in which a different location must be specified. Here are some examples:

Birth certificateYou want to get married and need a birth certificate. You live in Hanover, but you were born in Celle. You must therefore state your place of birth, i.e. Celle.

Business registrationYou would like to register a business in Braunschweig. Your place of residence is Hanover. You must therefore state the location of your future business, i.e. Braunschweig.

Apply for a building permitYou would like to build a house in Wunstorf and therefore apply for a building permit. Her place of residence is currently Hanover. You must indicate the place where the house is to be built. In this case it is Wunstorf.

Entry in the register of craftsmen

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If you wish to practise a craft requiring a license, you must be entered in a register kept by your regional Chamber of Crafts (Register of Craftsmen) before starting your business activities. In addition to the business owner (sole proprietor, partnership with legal capacity or legal entity), the register of craftsmen also lists who is responsible for the management of the business. Management can be exercised either by the business owner or a salaried manager. The management must have the professional qualifications required to practice the craft requiring a license. Proof must be provided in the form of a master craftsman's certificate for the respective trade or an equivalent relevant professional qualification. You can find more information on this in the "Requirements" section.

The following professions, among others, belong to the trades requiring authorization:

  • Bricklayers, carpenters, roofers, road builders, scaffolders, metal workers, tilers, screed layers,
  • stonemasons, stone sculptors, plasterers,
  • Painters and varnishers, interior decorators,
  • body and vehicle builders,
  • Information, automotive and electrical technicians,
  • plumbers and heating engineers, tank and apparatus builders,
  • bakers, confectioners, butchers,
  • hairdressers,
  • glassblowers and glass apparatus makers,
  • chimney sweeps,
  • orthopaedic technicians and dental technicians.

A complete list can be found in Appendix A of the Crafts Code (HwO). The trade does not have to be practiced as a whole. Essential (partial) activities can also be practiced.

Please note: You may only ever practice the craft requiring authorization that has been registered. If several trades subject to licensing are practised, each of these trades subject to licensing must normally be entered in the trades register.

Who should I contact?

The responsibility lies with the Chamber of Crafts in whose district the (future) permanent establishment is located.

Requirements

  • Completed master craftsman's examination in
  • the craft you want to practice or
  • in a craft subject to authorisation related to that craft
  • The Crafts Code also provides for provisions according to which you or your management
  • as a graduate engineer,
  • with a Bachelor's or Master's degree or
  • can be entered in the register of craftsmen with a German state or state-recognized examination equivalent to the master craftsman's examination.

The prerequisite is that the study or school focus of your examination corresponds to the craft to be registered.

  • In addition, there is the possibility of granting an exemption permit or right to exercise.
  • For nationals of a member state of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, there are special regulations for the recognition of professional qualifications within the framework of an exemption procedure.
  • In addition, equivalence can be determined for professional qualifications acquired abroad.

Which documents are required?

 

1. In the case of sole proprietorships:

  • Copy of identity card or comparable identification document
  • Proof of the qualification (e.g. copy of master craftsman's certificate, technician's certificate) of the owner or the employed management (see more details under 5.)
  • Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later after entry in the register of craftsmen)

2. In the case of partnerships under civil law (GbR):

  • Copies of the identity card or a comparable identification document of the shareholders or authorized representatives
  • Copy of the articles of association (unless informally concluded)
  • Proof of the qualification (e.g. copy of master craftsman's certificate, technician's certificate) of the partner or employed management (see more details under 5.)
  • Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later after entry in the register of craftsmen)

3. In the case of commercial partnerships with legal capacity, i.e. the general partnership (OHG), limited partnership (KG) and corresponding foreign company forms:

  • Copies of the identity card or a comparable identification document of the shareholders or persons authorized to represent the company
  • for proof of entrepreneurial legal form:
  • at the company's registered office in Germany:
  • in the case of companies entered in the commercial register: extract from the register, in the case of the OHG additionally a copy of the articles of association
  • if no entry in the register has been made: copy of the articles of association
  • in the case of foreign legal forms:
  • Extract from the register of the competent foreign register in the case of companies entered in registers, otherwise
  • Copy of the articles of association
  • Proof of qualification (e.g. copy of master craftsman's certificate, technician's certificate) of the shareholder(s) or salaried management (see more details under 5.)
  • Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later after entry in the register of craftsmen)

4. In the case of legal entities (limited liability company (GmbH), entrepreneurial company (limited liability) or UG (limited liability), stock corporation (AG), registered cooperative (eG)):

  • Copies of the identity card or a comparable identification document of the persons authorized to represent the company
  • for proof of entrepreneurial legal form:
  • at the company's registered office in Germany: Excerpt from the commercial or cooperative register
  • in the case of foreign legal forms: extract from the register of the competent foreign register
  • Copy of the business registration (can be submitted later after entry in the register of craftsmen)
  • Management details: see 5.

5. If a farm manager is employed, the following documents must also be submitted:

  • Statement of the Principal
  • Proof of management activities (copy of the employment contract)
  • Proof of social security of the management
  • Proof of qualification from the management (e.g. copy of master craftsman's certificate, technician's certificate, exemption permit)

Note: If you employ a second person as a farm manager – for example if you carry out several trades subject to approval – you must also submit the farm manager's declaration with further documents mentioned under 5 for this person. 

What are the fees?

The specific fee can be found in the schedule of fees of the Chamber of Crafts, which can be accessed on the Chamber's website.

Process flow

Registration in the register of craftsmen is made electronically via online service or in writing at your local Chamber of Crafts.

Online application

  • Go to the website of your local Chamber of Crafts or to the service portal of your federal state and select the right online service.
  • The online service guides you step by step through the application.
  • You can submit the required documents digitally.

Written application

  • Download the application form from the website of your local Chamber of Crafts.
  • Alternatively, you can also have the required documents sent to you via the local Chamber of Crafts.
  • Fill out the form and send it to your local Chamber of Crafts together with the required evidence.
  • The competent Chamber of Commerce examines the documents.
  • If you meet the registration requirements, you will receive a written notification of registration.
  • Together with the notification of registration, your company will receive the so-called craft card (§ 10 para. 2 HwO).

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Notification of craft activity: before the start

Processing duration

The processing time depends on the completeness of the submitted documents.

If all documents are complete and no further procedure is necessary, the registration in the register of craftsmen can be completed within a few days.

Other procedures extend the processing time, such as the granting of an exemption permit.

What else should I know?

Under the links below you will find:

  • Advice from your Chamber of Crafts – contact details of the Chambers of Crafts
  • the Ordinance on Related Crafts
  • a list of all skilled trades subject to authorisation

Legal basis

§ 6 para. 1 of the Crafts Code (HwO), see link below.

§ 7 Crafts Code (HwO), see link below.

Appeal

In the context of the information on legal remedies, legal action applies in Lower Saxony, as there is no longer any provision for preliminary administrative proceedings.

Source: Serviceportal Niedersachsen (Linie6Plus)

Further Links

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Single points of contact of the state of Lower Saxony, Single points of contact of the countries of Europe, advice and assistance for EU citizens and their families.
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