Licences and authorisations

If your company belongs to an accident insurance institution and you have paid contributions to the statutory accident insurance, you can prove this with a clearance certificate.

Are you registered in the Register of Craftsmen with a craft requiring a license and would like to practice another craft requiring a license? Then you can apply for a license to practice another trade under certain conditions.

If you wish to apply for approval as an assembly center for livestock trade, you must submit an application to the local veterinary authority. Special requirements apply to the approval of assembly centers for livestock trade in accordance with the Livestock Traffic Ordinance.

Recognition as a professional practice company must be applied for in writing to the relevant Chamber of Tax Consultants.

As an undertaking for collective investment in transferable securities - capital management company or alternative investment fund capital management company, you can apply for a distribution certificate from the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).

In some cases, as a capital management company (KVG) for an investment fund that has acquired real estate, you require a certificate of appointment of the depositary for submission to the land registry (land registry certificate).

If you would like to take part in a training course to obtain specialist knowledge for the handling and purchase of explosive substances in accordance with the Explosives Act, you will need a clearance certificate.

If you wish to carry firearms requiring a permit to accompany or carry out guarding activities, you require a firearms permit. You can find out more here.

If you as an individual wish to acquire and possess weapons and/or ammunition, you must apply for a permit from the relevant weapons authority.

If you want to offer financial services, you need a license to do so.

If you handle Category 1 precursors that can potentially be converted into drugs, you need a permit.

If you wish to change your authorization to trade in category 1 precursors, you can submit an application. This may concern the precursors, the processes, the business premises or the responsible representative(s).

If you wish to exhibit animals or make them available for this purpose, you require permission from your local veterinary authority.

If you wish to participate in the narcotics trade, you must apply for a permit.

If you want to shoot with a firearm requiring a permit or without a permit, you must always apply for a permit beforehand.Exceptions to this are hunters when hunting and marksmen when shooting at authorized shooting ranges.

If you wish to carry alarm, irritant and signal weapons with the approval mark of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in public, you must first apply for a small firearms license.

If your company classifies carcasses of cattle, pigs and sheep in statutory commercial classes and categories, you need an approval. You can apply for this from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE).

If your company is to be responsible for the maintenance and inspection of aircraft, you will require an authorization as a continuing airworthiness management organization (CAMO). Changes to a CAMO are also subject to approval.

If you wish to apply for approval as a livestock trading company, you must submit the application to the State Office for Consumer Protection.

If your company wishes to operate as a maintenance organization (Part-145) or combined airworthiness organization (CAO) in the aviation sector, you require approval from the German Federal Aviation Office. Changes are also subject to approval.

If you wish to use road transport vehicles for the long-distance transportation of animals, you must apply for approval from the competent authority.

Do you want to inform consumers about the current fuel prices at filling stations? Then you can use real-time data from the Market Transparency Unit for Fuels under certain conditions.

If you want to transport animals over long distances, you need an official license as a transport company.

If the animal transport takes longer than 8 hours, it is considered a long journey. Special conditions apply to this type of animal transportation.

If the animal transport takes up to 8 hours, special conditions apply to you.

If you are transporting cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses or poultry, you must comply with special approval requirements.

If you wish to apply for approval as an assembly center for the livestock trade, you must submit an application to the local veterinary authority. Assembly center for livestock trade approval according to Art. 94 of Regulation 2016/429 special requirements apply.

If you wish to apply for approval as an assembly center for the livestock trade, you must submit an application to the local veterinary authority.

If you want to train aviation personnel as a company, you need a permit from the Federal Aviation Office.

You need approval from the Federal Aviation Office for the minimum equipment list of an aircraft. Changes to an existing list are also subject to approval. If you wish to extend the recovery period, you must notify the Federal Aviation Office.

If your company wishes to commercially develop technologies for aircraft and aeronautical equipment, you require a permit from the Federal Aviation Office. Changes to a permit are also subject to approval.

If you manufacture products, parts and equipment for aircraft, you require a permit from the Federal Aviation Office. Changes to an approval are also subject to approval.

You must apply for a permit from the Federal Aviation Authority (LBA) for flight, duty and rest times. Changes or exceptions are also subject to approval. You must notify the LBA of commanders' decisions involving more than one hour.

If you wish to make changes to your German air carrier under commercial and company law, you must report and apply for these changes.

If you would like to obtain a European Technical Assessment (ETA) for your construction product, you can apply to the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt).

If you want to test new technologies in telecommunications, you must first apply to the Federal Network Agency for frequencies for experimental radio.

Would you like to use frequencies for an aeronautical and air navigation radio station on the ground? You can apply for these from the Federal Network Agency.

If you want to use a trunked radio network, you must apply for frequencies from the Federal Network Agency.

You can apply for frequency allocations for analog railroad mobile radio from the Federal Network Agency.

If you want to use GNSS repeaters, you must have the corresponding frequencies allocated to you. To do this, submit an application to the Federal Network Agency.

Would you like to use certain frequencies for point-to-point radio relay? You must apply for these from the Federal Network Agency.

If you want to transmit video and audio signals for broadcasting distribution at changing locations via satellite radio, you must apply to the Federal Network Agency for frequencies for Satellite News Gathering (SNG).

Are you a company or an organization and would like to use radio communications for a short time at an event, such as a concert or trade fair? Then you need to apply to the Federal Network Agency for frequencies for short-term use.

Would you like to use certain frequencies for wireless network access? You must apply to the Federal Network Agency.

If you want to carry a firearm in public, you must first apply for a firearms license.

If you want to acquire and possess weapons and/or ammunition as a hunting association, you must apply for a permit from the relevant weapons authority.

If the Federal Network Agency has allocated you frequencies in the mobile network and you want to put them into operation, you must first apply for the determination of the location-related technical parameters for frequency use.

You can find out more about lotteries and draws.

If you want to grow wine on new vineyards, you generally need a permit from the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE).

As an aviation medical expert, you can apply for new examination centers or relocate existing ones. To do so, you must obtain approval from the Federal Aviation Office.

If you are an individual or organization wishing to conduct language examinations for pilots, you must apply to the Federal Office of Civil Aviation for recognition as a body for conducting language examinations.

If your company is active in the railroad sector and is a so-called conformity assessment body it needs to be recognized as a Designated Body (BSt) by the Federal Railway Authority (EBA).

If your company is active in the railroad sector and is a so-called conformity assessment body it needs to be recognized as a Notified Body (NB) by the German Federal Railway Authority (EBA).

If your company is active in the railroad sector and would like to work as a so-called ECM certification body (ECMZ), it requires corresponding recognition from the Federal Railway Authority (EBA).

If your company is active in the railroad sector and would like to work as a so-called Independent Assessment Body (UBS), it needs to be recognized by the Federal Railway Authority (EBA).

If you handle category 2 raw materials or export category 3 raw materials to countries outside the EU, you need a registration.

If you and your company classify carcasses of cattle, pigs and sheep in statutory commercial classes and categories, you require an approval. You can apply for an extension of the approval from the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food.

The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has allocated you frequencies in digital railroad mobile radio and you would like to put them into operation? Then you must first apply for the determination of the site-specific technical parameters for frequency use.

If you wish to set up a new air carrier, you must submit an application for approval of the new company.

If you want to manufacture devices with radioactive substances or systems for generating ionizing radiation that may be operated without a permit or notification, you can apply for a type approval.

If you trade in breeding cattle and/or livestock or wish to attend an exhibition or similar event with breeding cattle and/or livestock, you will need a health certificate.

After successfully passing your journeyman's or final examination and providing proof of qualified professional experience, you can be entered in the register of tradesmen and women as the owner or manager of a business in many trades requiring a license.

With a partial building permit, you can start construction work on building sections before the building permit for changing a facility is issued. To do this, you submit an application for partial building permission to the responsible lower building supervisory authority.

If your company is registered with the German Federal Aviation Office as an operator of unmanned aircraft, you can apply for a simplified operator certificate. This entitles you to handle certain approval processes for internal UAS operations independently.

Is it not possible to affix the license plate of an aircraft properly? Then, under certain conditions, you can apply for a license plate exemption.

Would you like to work in the field of patent law in Germany with a professional practice company with limited liability or as a foreign professional practice company? Then you need a license from the Chamber of Patent Attorneys.

If you actually want to transport prohibited dangerous goods by air, you must apply for a special permit or an overflight permit.

Citizens of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland who wish to practice a craft requiring a license in Germany can, under certain conditions, have their professional experience or training and qualification certificates recognized in Germany.

If you wish to extend your firearms license for firearms requiring a permit to accompany or carry out guarding activities, you must apply to the competent authority. You can find out more here.

If your project crosses a body of water or takes place in or on a body of water, you require a permit for this, which you will receive if the approval requirements are met.

If you wish to produce or distribute certain feedstuffs, you must apply for approval for the feed company concerned.

If you want to carry out animal experiments, you generally need a permit from the competent authority before starting the experiment.

If you want to conduct clinical trials as a manufacturer of medical devices, you may have to apply for approval from the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM).

The establishment of a further branch (secondary branch) as an authorized inspector or inspection expert for fire protection in Germany requires a permit. Further information can be found here.

The establishment of a further branch(secondary branch) as an authorized inspector or inspection expert for stability in Germany requires a permit. Further information can be found here.

Would you like to operate a bus company for occasional services? Then you must apply for a permit from your local licensing authority.

If you would like to extend your general flight permit or carry out individual flights and stationing, you can apply for this at the Federal Aviation Office.

If you own a railroad property that is no longer used for transportation and whose infrastructure will no longer be used in the long term, you can apply to the Federal Railway Authority (EBA) for exemption of the property under certain conditions.

Do you need approval for an exemption from European aviation law or an alternative verification procedure instead of the Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC)? If so, you must apply to the Federal Aviation Office, provided it is responsible in your case.

If you wish to manage investment funds as a capital management company with its registered office and head office in Germany, you require written permission or you must register.

Before you change the use of an installation that requires approval, you need a building permit. To do this, you submit a building application to the responsible lower building supervisory authority.

It is possible to carry out the simplified building permit procedure for special structures. In this case, fewer requirements are checked by the responsible lower building supervisory authority.

It is possible to carry out the simplified building permit procedure for special structures. In this case, fewer requirements are checked by the responsible lower building supervisory authority.

Before you change an installation that requires approval, you need a building permit. To do this, you submit a building application to the responsible lower building supervisory authority.

Have you been granted an exemption permit for a trade requiring a license and want to operate it as a standing trade? If so, you must have it entered in the register of craftsmen before starting your activity.

If you require the issue of a temporary traffic permit, a temporary permit to fly or the approval of flight conditions for an aircraft, you can apply for this under certain conditions.

Are you a company or an organization and would like to use satellite communication services with the help of earth stations? Then you need to apply for the appropriate frequencies from the Federal Network Agency.

Would you like to continue your bus company as an occasional service? Then you must apply for the necessary permit from the licensing authority responsible for you.

If you wish to fill management positions in your German aviation company for the first time or to fill new positions, you must apply for the appointment of management personnel.

If you wish to auction off third-party movable property, third-party land or third-party rights on a commercial basis, you require permission from the competent authority.

If you wish to operate a wholesale business with medicinal products, you require a permit from the competent authority. You can find out more here.

Anyone who bookmaker who wishes to place or broker bets on public horse races requires a license.

If you start a business, you must register it with the competent authority. The registration must be made at the same time as the start of the business.

Do you want to transport passengers commercially in a cab? You can apply for the necessary permit from the relevant transport authority.

If your permit expires, you can apply to the relevant licensing authority to have your permit reissued.

If you wish to operate a restaurant that serves alcohol, you are obliged to submit a business registration at least four weeks before the start of operations, together with certain documents.

Manufacturers of in-vitro diagnostics can apply for a certificate of free sale. The certificate of free sale confirms that the manufacturer or authorized representative has its registered place of business in Germany and that the product in question can be traded within the Union.

Manufacturers of medical devices can apply for a certificate of free sale. The certificate of free sale confirms that the manufacturer has its registered place of business in Germany and that the product in question can be traded within the Union.

As a capital management company (KVG), you can outsource tasks to other companies. You must notify the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) of this.

As a pension fund, you would like to introduce new insurance conditions or change existing insurance conditions and there is no requirement for approval.

If you want to send pharmacy-only medicines, you need a permit to do so.

If you, as a German airline, wish to use aircraft under wet lease agreements, you must apply for or notify us of this.

If you have had your weapons rendered inoperable or destroyed, you must report this within two weeks.

Upon request, the supervisory authority may exempt obligated parties from the obligation to document the risk analysis under certain conditions.

Have you completed a university degree in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland and the focus of your studies was in a craft requiring a license? Then you can set up a business in Germany and must first be entered in the register of craftsmen.

If you wish to work independently in a craft requiring a license with a professional qualification acquired abroad and the equivalence to a domestic master craftsman's examination has been established, you must first have this entered in the Register of Craftsmen.

Does your company want to offer new services in the financial sector? You may need to clarify whether your business idea requires a license.

As a financial investment broker or financial investment advisor, you require a license in Germany.

The operation of an arcade requires a permit. The State Administration Office is responsible for deciding on the application for this permit. The location at which the arcade is to be operated must be precisely designated.

As a commercial operator, you may only set up gaming devices with the possibility of winning (goods prizes, cash prizes) if the competent authority has confirmed in writing that the installation location is suitable for this purpose.

If you want to set up gaming machines with the possibility of winning commercially, you need a permit. In addition, you must prove that the chosen location is suitable for this purpose for each machine installed.

As a manufacturer, you must have new additives in plant protection products tested and approved by the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety.

If you form investment funds as a capital management company (KVG), investment stock corporation or open-ended investment limited partnership, you must have the investment conditions approved by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).

Before you publish a sales prospectus for investments, the publication must be approved by BaFin.

Before you publish a securities prospectus, you must have it approved by BaFin.

As a capital management company, you must obtain approval from the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) for every choice and every change to a new depositary.

Under certain conditions, you can use unauthorized plant protection products on plants, seeds or other infested objects if they are intended exclusively for export from Germany. You require a permit for this.

If you, as a capital management company, amend the investment conditions of your investment fund, you must have the amended investment conditions approved by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).

Anyone wishing to provide advice as an income tax assistance association requires arecognition.

If you wish to acquire shareholdings in a bank or financial services institution, you must inform the Deutsche Bundesbank and the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) in advance. The same applies if your shareholdings change.

If you wish to acquire and possess weapons and/or ammunition in order to test, inspect or examine them, you must apply for a permit from the relevant weapons authority.

Would you like to operate a rental car business? You can apply for the necessary permit from your local traffic authority.

If you would like to qualify in the field of IT security and prove your expertise, you can apply for certification under certain conditions.

If you as an employer intend to allow your employees to work with airbag or belt tensioner units of category P1 for the first time, you must notify the responsible body in advance.

If the articles of association of an auditing company are amended, the legal representatives of the auditing company must report the amendment to the Chamber of Public Accountants.

If you are a capital management company (KVG) appoint members to the Supervisory Board or an Advisory Board, you must report this to the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin). The same applies if members leave the Supervisory Board or an Advisory Board.

You must notify the relevant Chamber of Skilled Crafts of any new management or change in the management of a craft business subject to licensing.

Does your capital management company want to appoint a new managing director? You must report this to the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).

Plant protection products can be used in public areas, such as parks or cemeteries, by qualified persons if they have been approved for this purpose by the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety.

You require approval from the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) to transfer the management of an investment fund to another capital management company.

If you wish to carry firearms requiring a permit to accompany or carry out guarding activities, you require a firearms permit. You can find out more here.

If you are setting up a company, you will find information here on the procedures, formalities and permits you need to observe.

If you want to open or take over a pharmacy, you must submit a written application for an operating license.

If you wish to commercially organize other games with the possibility of winning (e.g. games of skill), you require a commercial permit from the competent authority.

If you wish to conduct public auctions of third-party property in accordance with certain provisions of the German Civil Code (BGB) and the German Commercial Code (HGB), which are ordered or implemented by force, you must be publicly appointed and sworn in as an auctioneer.

If you want to work in the pawnbroking business, you need a permit.

If you wish to use a depiction of the federal eagle, you must apply for permission.

For many activities involving the commercial handling of animals, you require a permit from the competent authority.

Would you like to occasionally offer goods for immediate sale at events such as trade fairs, exhibitions, public festivals or on special occasions? If so, you need a permit from the competent authority and do not require a traveling trade card.

Before you publish an investment information sheet (VIB) in accordance with Sections 2a, b, 13 VermAnlG, publication must be approved by BaFin.

In order to work as a fee-based financial investment advisor, you must apply for a license. You must also be entered in the register of intermediaries.

If you want to broker real estate or loan agreements commercially, you need a license to do so. You can find out more here.

Anyone wishing to broker real estate consumer loans or corresponding financing aids (mainly so-called finance lease agreements) or advise third parties on such agreements requires a license as a real estate loan broker in accordance with Section 34i GewO.

If you want to organize commercial shows of people in your business premises or make your business premises available for such events, you need a permit for this.

If you are a racing club, organize horse races and want to place bets, you need a permit to operate a totalizator.

If you would like to obtain accreditation as a De-Mail service provider, you can apply for this from the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).

To be recognized as an inspection expert for technical systems and equipment, you must submit a written application to the Supreme Building Inspectorate at the Saarland Ministry of the Interior, Buildingand Sport.

You can be recognized as a test engineer or test expert for fire protection upon application if you meet the requirements. Further information can be found here.

You can be recognized as a test engineer or test expert for stability upon application if you meet the requirements. Further information can be found here.

If you wish to transport more than 1000 pieces of slaughter poultry within Germany, you must register them in advance with the competent authority for ante-mortem inspection.

You are a recognized body for the measurement of radon-222 activity concentration at workplaces, but your requirements for recognition change? Then you must notify the Federal Office for Radiation Protection.

Do you want to submit a prospectus for securities to the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority? Then you need access to the relevant specialist procedure.

Are you a life insurance company subject to federal supervision by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority and would you like to change a technical business plan for existing life insurance contracts? Then you must apply for approval from BaFin.

Are you a pension fund and would like to introduce or change a technical business plan? You need approval for this.

Are you a pension fund and would like to introduce new insurance conditions or change existing insurance conditions? As a regulated pension fund, you generally require approval for this. Approval may be required for other pension funds.

If you want to introduce or change training and screening programs for flight and cabin crews or issue flight attendant certificates, you need approval from the Federal Aviation Authority.

Would you like to launch a food on the German market and are unsure whether it is to be classified as a novel food? Then you can apply to the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) for a consultation procedure.

If there are any changes to the approval of your animal transport company, you must report these within 15 working days.

Do you want to distribute domestic public AIFs, i.e. alternative investment funds, in Germany as a capital management company? Then you must notify the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).

If you, as a domestic capital management company, wish to market European alternative investment funds (EU AIFs) or special funds in Germany, you must register this with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).

Would you like to introduce new operations manuals for air traffic operations or make changes to existing manuals? Then you must submit these in advance to the Federal Aviation Office for review.

Your voting rights based on shares in a listed company and/or your financial instruments in relation to such shares change? You may need to notify the company and the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).

Anyone who trains driving instructor candidates (training driving instructors) requires a permit (training driving instructor permit). The training driving instructor permit is issued upon application.

Only a few activities that do not require a travel trade license must be reported. Please check whether you need to notify the competent authority before taking up an activity that does not require a travel trade license.

If you do not have a commercial establishment or wish to offer goods for sale, services or entertaining activities as a showman or showwoman or as a showman or showwoman, you must apply for a permit (traveling trade license).

If you operate a traveling trade, you need a traveling trade card. Some cards are temporary. Before your temporary card becomes invalid, you can have it extended by the competent authority.

You can change or extend the activities listed on the travel trade license with the competent authority.

If you want to temporarily take weapons or ammunition from Germany abroad, temporarily take them to Germany or take them through Germany, you need a permit.

If you have lost a weapon, ammunition or a permit under weapons law, such as a weapons possession card or a weapons license, you must report this immediately to the responsible weapons authority.