Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Baden-Baden

About Golden Visa Law in Baden-Baden, Germany

Germany does not operate a classic golden visa that grants residence in exchange for a passive investment. What many people call the German golden visa is usually a residence permit for self-employment or business founders under the German Residence Act. If you establish or take over a business that meets regional economic interests, shows positive economic effects, and is properly financed, you can apply for a residence permit and live in places like Baden-Baden. Baden-Baden is in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg and has strong tourism, health, hospitality, wellness, and real estate services sectors, which often shape how business plans are evaluated locally.

The most common pathways marketed as a golden visa in Germany are a self-employment residence permit for entrepreneurs, a residence permit for freelancers in regulated or liberal professions, and related options for senior managers who come to run a German entity. There is no citizenship by investment in Germany and buying property alone does not give a right to live in Germany.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Investor and entrepreneur residence in Germany is decided case-by-case, and local practice matters. A lawyer can align your business concept with regional priorities in Baden-Baden, structure the company correctly, and address immigration, corporate, tax, and regulatory issues in one plan. Common situations where legal help is valuable include designing a viable business plan that meets the economic interest test, forming a GmbH or UG and appointing a managing director with the right immigration status, securing licenses for regulated trades such as gastronomy, healthcare, or personal services, documenting lawful source of funds and anti-money laundering compliance, planning for family reunification and school enrollment, resolving prior visa refusals or status changes, and coordinating with the Foreigners Authority, Chamber of Commerce, and trade office to avoid delays.

Local Laws Overview

Legal basis. The German Residence Act includes a route for self-employment. Authorities assess whether there is an economic interest or regional need, whether the activity will have positive economic effects, and whether financing is secured. Factors include viability of the business plan, entrepreneurial experience, amount of capital, job creation and training opportunities, and sustainability. Applicants aged 45 or older must show adequate pension provision. A freelancer path exists for liberal professions such as doctors, architects, artists, and certain consultants if licensing and market demand are shown.

Process. Most applicants apply for a national visa for long stays at a German mission abroad, then receive a residence permit card from the local Foreigners Authority in Baden-Baden after arrival. Initial permits are typically granted for 1 to 3 years and are renewable if the business continues to meet requirements. A settlement permit is possible after 3 years if the business has been successfully implemented and your livelihood is secure. Naturalization is generally possible after long-term lawful residence, with recent reforms allowing it commonly after 5 years if all conditions are met.

No property-by-right route. Purchasing real estate in Baden-Baden does not grant residence. Investment in property can be part of a broader, active business plan, but a purely passive property investment does not qualify on its own.

Company formation. Common legal forms include a GmbH with a minimum share capital and a UG as a limited liability start-up form. Incorporation requires a notary, registration in the commercial register, and capital deposit through a German bank account. Many activities require a trade registration at the local trade office. If you serve as managing director primarily from Germany, you will need the appropriate residence authorization.

Local coordination. The Foreigners Authority of the City of Baden-Baden handles residence permits. The local Chamber of Commerce and Industry and, for crafts, the Chamber of Crafts may be consulted by authorities when evaluating business plans. Depending on the activity, additional permits can be required, for example in hospitality, medical services, or personal care. Health insurance is mandatory. Address registration at the residents office is required shortly after moving in. Tax registration with the local tax office follows incorporation or trade registration.

Taxes and compliance. Expect corporate or personal income tax depending on your structure, trade tax set by the municipality, and value-added tax for most goods and services. The combined corporate tax burden for a standard corporation is commonly around the high 20s to low 30s percentage range, with trade tax varying by municipality. Keep proper bookkeeping, file returns on time, and document the lawful origin of investment funds. Germany applies strict anti-money laundering rules and banks will conduct detailed checks.

Family and mobility. Spouses and minor children can usually join under family reunion if income, housing, and insurance are adequate. Family members typically receive broad work and study rights. With a valid German residence permit, you can travel within the Schengen area for short stays, but Germany must remain your main place of residence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Germany have a golden visa and can I get it in Baden-Baden

Germany does not have a classic golden visa based on a set investment amount. In practice, many applicants use the self-employment route to start or acquire a business that meets regional needs. If your plan is viable and financed, you can apply for residence and live in Baden-Baden. The decision is case-by-case and depends on your business plan and its local impact.

Is there a minimum investment amount

No fixed minimum is set by law. Older informal thresholds you may find online are outdated. Authorities focus on whether your funding is adequate for your specific plan, whether the activity serves a regional interest, and whether it creates sustained economic benefit. Some projects will require higher capital, others less. Quality of the plan matters more than a fixed number.

Can buying a house or apartment in Baden-Baden get me residency

No. Real estate purchase alone does not give a right of residence in Germany. Property can be part of a larger active business, for example a licensed hospitality venture, but a passive investment does not qualify.

What business forms work best for investor residence

A GmbH is common for operating businesses because it signals substance and limits liability. A UG can work for smaller or phased projects but can be perceived as less robust. Freelancers in liberal professions can apply without forming a corporation if the profession and licensing allow it. The right form depends on your sector, financing, and staffing plans.

How long does the process take

Timing varies by consulate and the complexity of your plan. A realistic window is several weeks to a few months for the visa decision after a complete filing. Add time for company formation, bank account opening, and local registrations. Building in a 3 to 6 month timeline for end-to-end execution is common for well prepared cases.

What documents will I need

Expect to provide a passport, a detailed business plan with financials, evidence of funding and lawful source of funds, professional CV and references, any licenses required for your sector, proof of health insurance, proof of accommodation, marriage and birth certificates for family members, clean criminal record certificates as applicable, and pension provision evidence if you are 45 or older. Certified translations are required for foreign language documents.

Can my spouse and children come, and can they work or study

Yes, spouses and minor children can usually join under family reunion if you meet income, housing, and insurance requirements. Spouses typically obtain unrestricted labor market access, and children can attend school. Bring legalized and translated civil status documents to avoid delays.

What are my tax obligations if I move to Baden-Baden as an investor

If you become a tax resident, your worldwide income is generally taxable in Germany. A corporation will be subject to corporate income tax and trade tax, and most businesses must handle VAT. Remuneration you take as a managing director is subject to payroll tax and social security if applicable. Engage a tax advisor early to structure salary, dividends, and intercompany transactions correctly and to register with the local tax office.

When can I obtain permanent residence or citizenship

Under the self-employment route, a settlement permit can be possible after 3 years if the business is successful and your livelihood is secure. For citizenship, recent reforms allow naturalization commonly after 5 years of lawful residence if language, integration, and other criteria are met. Time frames depend on individual circumstances and compliance.

What are common reasons for refusal and how can I avoid them

Frequent issues include a weak or generic business plan, lack of regional benefit, insufficient or unproven funding, missing insurance, incomplete documentation, unrealistic financial forecasts, unmanaged licensing requirements, and concerns about the origin of funds. You can reduce risk by tailoring your plan to Baden-Baden, obtaining sector feedback, documenting funds thoroughly, securing pre-approvals where possible, and filing a complete, well organized application.

Additional Resources

Foreigners Authority of the City of Baden-Baden for residence permits and local procedures.

Local Chamber of Commerce and Industry responsible for the Baden-Baden region for business plan assessments and company support.

Chamber of Crafts for craft and trade licensing where applicable.

Trade Office of Baden-Baden for trade registration and business licenses.

Residents Office of Baden-Baden for address registration and civil matters.

Federal Foreign Office and German missions abroad for national visa applications.

Local tax office and qualified tax advisors for registrations and ongoing filing obligations.

Notaries and banks in Baden-Baden for incorporation, capital deposit, and account opening.

Welcome centers and business development agencies in Baden-Wuerttemberg for settlement guidance and local market information.

Certified translators and interpreters for legalized translations of foreign documents.

Next Steps

Clarify your goal. Decide whether you will found a new company, acquire an existing business, or practice a liberal profession. Align your sector with Baden-Baden’s economy and highlight expected local benefits such as jobs, training, and services.

Engage advisors. Retain an immigration lawyer to shape the residence strategy, a corporate lawyer or notary for formation, and a tax advisor for structuring and registrations. Early coordination prevents conflicting positions across authorities.

Draft a robust business plan. Include market analysis specific to Baden-Baden, regulatory requirements, staffing and salary plans, 3 to 5 year financial projections, funding sources with documentation, and a clear timeline for rollout. Address risks and mitigations.

Select legal form and governance. Choose between GmbH, UG, or freelance setup. Determine the managing director and signatory structure, especially if you will direct operations in Germany.

Seek informal feedback. Where appropriate, your lawyer can coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce and the Foreigners Authority to test the feasibility of your plan before you file.

Prepare documents. Collect passports, civil status documents, proof of funds, CVs, licenses, insurance, and accommodation proof. Arrange certified translations and legalizations as required.

Apply for a national visa. File the long-stay visa application at the competent German mission with your business plan and supporting documents. If you are already in Germany on a status that allows an in-country change, consult your lawyer on local filing options.

Incorporate and register. After arrival, execute notarial deeds, open a bank account, deposit share capital, register in the commercial register, register with the trade office, and complete tax registration. Obtain any sector-specific permits.

Complete local formalities. Register your address, finalize health insurance, enroll family members in schools as needed, and apply for your residence permit card at the Foreigners Authority in Baden-Baden.

Operate and maintain compliance. Keep books, file taxes, meet employment and immigration reporting duties, and track renewal and settlement timelines. Update the authority if your business model changes materially.

If you face obstacles. If you receive an intent to deny or a refusal, consult your lawyer immediately about remedial filings, additional evidence, or an appeal within the statutory time limits.