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Start a Business / Register a Trade in Augsburg

Step by step into self-employment in Augsburg – from business registration to your first invoice.

Progress0 of 5 steps completed

5 Schritte · ca. 4 Minuten0%

✓ Du bist in 4 Minuten fertig

Step 1⏱ 2–5 Min

Trade or Freelancer?

Before you start: Clarify whether you need to register a trade or can start directly at the tax office as a freelancer (doctor, lawyer, artist, teacher, IT consultant etc.). Freelancers don't need a trade registration!

⚠️Wrong classification costs money – ask IHK Schwaben or a tax advisor if unsure.

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•IHK Schwaben: Stettenstraße 1+3, 86150 Augsburg | Tel. 0821 3162-0

💡 Weitere Tipps

Freelancers: doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, journalists, IT consultants, artists → no trade registration needed
Trade registration required for: retail, crafts, services (non-freelance)

IHK Schwaben – Start-up consulting↗

Step 2⏱ 5–10 Min

Register trade at Bürgerbüro Augsburg

Trade registration is done at Bürgerbüro Augsburg – in person with appointment or online. Cost: approx. €26. From the registration date the trade may be operated.

⏰ Before starting the business activity💰 ca. 26 €

📄 Required Documents

ID card or passport(Required)

Residence permit (for non-EU citizens)(Optional)

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•Bürgerbüro Augsburg: An der Blauen Kappe 18, 86152 Augsburg | Tel. 0821 324-9999

💡 Weitere Tipps

Appointment required – online: augsburg.de

Step 3⏱ 5–10 Min

Tax registration at Finanzamt Augsburg-Stadt

After trade registration (or directly as a freelancer) you must register for tax purposes at Finanzamt Augsburg-Stadt. You receive a tax number. Possible online via ELSTER.

⏰ Within one month of starting business activity💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

Tax registration questionnaire (ELSTER)(Required)

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•Finanzamt Augsburg-Stadt: Prinzregentenplatz 2, 86150 Augsburg | Tel. 0821 506-01

💡 Weitere Tipps

Online via ELSTER: elster.de
Check Kleinunternehmerregelung: revenue below €25,000 → no VAT advance return needed

ELSTER – Tax registration↗

Step 4⏱ 2–5 Min

IHK Schwaben & HWK Schwaben

With trade registration you automatically become a member of IHK Schwaben (for traders) or Handwerkskammer Schwaben (for regulated crafts). Both offer free start-up consulting.

💰 Pflichtmitgliedschaft (Beitrag je nach Umsatz)

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•IHK Schwaben: Stettenstraße 1+3, 86150 Augsburg | Tel. 0821 3162-0

•Handwerkskammer Schwaben: Siebentischstraße 52-58, 86161 Augsburg | Tel. 0821 3259-0

💡 Weitere Tipps

IHK offers free start-up consulting

IHK Schwaben↗

Step 5⏱ 2–5 Min

💳 Business account & accounting software

A separate business account is recommended for self-employed (mandatory for GmbH). Good accounting software saves time and avoids mistakes in tax returns.

💰 0 € – 30 €/Monat

💡 Weitere Tipps