Best Residence by Investment Lawyers in Kitzingen

About Residence by Investment Law in Kitzingen, Germany

Germany does not offer a classic golden visa. There is no residence permit granted purely for buying property or purchasing government bonds. Instead, Germany provides a pathway for non-EU nationals who actively build or run a business that serves an economic interest. This pathway is the self-employment residence permit under Section 21 of the German Residence Act. Kitzingen, a town in Bavaria, follows the same national rules, with local assessment by the district immigration authority and regional economic bodies.

Under Section 21, you can qualify if you establish or take over a business or pursue a liberal profession, and the project meets public economic interest, has positive regional effects, and you have secured financing. Authorities look at the quality of your business plan, your professional and entrepreneurial background, demand in the Kitzingen region, job creation potential, and the sustainability of your model. There is no statutory minimum investment amount. Real estate purchases on their own do not qualify, but real estate can be part of an operational business, such as a hotel or care facility, if the business itself meets the criteria.

If granted, the initial permit is usually temporary. With a successful business and secured livelihood, self-employed entrepreneurs can often qualify for a permanent settlement permit after several years. Family members can usually join you through family reunification, and spouses are typically granted broad access to the labor market.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Residence by investment in Germany is not a buy-a-visa process. It is a regulatory exercise that requires careful planning, precise documentation, and coordination with several authorities. A lawyer can help you avoid costly mistakes and delays.

You may need a lawyer if you must design a business plan that meets regional needs and evidences economic interest, choose and form a suitable company type such as a GmbH or UG, structure financing and demonstrate proof of funds lawfully, prepare visa and residence applications and supporting documents, interface with the Kitzingen immigration office and the Chamber of Commerce, negotiate commercial leases or purchase agreements, comply with employer obligations if you plan to hire staff, set up tax and social security registrations, or handle refusals, appeals, or renewals. Legal guidance is particularly valuable when coordinating timelines between overseas visa processing and on-the-ground steps like opening a bank account, notarizations, and municipal registrations.

Local Laws Overview

Residence rules are federal, but the process is local. Applications for the self-employment permit rely on Section 21 of the Residence Act and the Residence Ordinance. Your long-stay national visa is filed at the German mission abroad. After arrival, the local immigration authority in Kitzingen, typically the Ausländerbehörde at the Landratsamt Kitzingen, decides on your residence permit. Regional economic bodies, such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Würzburg-Schweinfurt and the Chamber of Crafts for Lower Franconia, may be consulted to assess the viability and regional interest of your project.

Key points that matter in Kitzingen include the strength of your business plan and its fit with regional demand, evidence of secured financing and lawful origin of funds, your professional qualifications and entrepreneurial experience, and concrete steps taken such as a draft lease, letters of intent from clients, supplier agreements, or local partnerships. There is no nationwide minimum investment threshold, and outdated figures sometimes quoted online do not reflect current law. Decisions are case-by-case.

Company formation is governed by German commercial law. Common vehicles include a GmbH that requires 25,000 euros share capital or a UG that can start with 1 euro but has profit retention rules. These are corporate law requirements and do not replace residence eligibility criteria. You will also interact with the city of Kitzingen for trade registration if your activity is a commercial business, the tax office for tax IDs and VAT, and health insurance providers for proof of adequate cover, which is mandatory. Local trade tax applies and varies by municipality. Labor law, data protection, and workplace safety rules apply if you hire employees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Germany have a golden visa program?

No. Germany does not grant residence solely for investing money. The viable route is an active self-employment or entrepreneurial residence permit under Section 21 of the Residence Act, based on a business that meets an economic interest.

How much do I need to invest to qualify?

There is no fixed minimum investment in the law. Authorities assess the viability and regional economic value of your business case, the adequacy of financing for the specific project, and your qualifications. Large figures do not guarantee approval, and smaller, well-structured projects can succeed.

Can I obtain residence by buying real estate?

No. Purchasing property alone does not lead to a residence permit. Real estate can be part of an operational business, such as a hospitality venture, where the business operations meet the criteria for self-employment residence.

Do I have to create jobs in Kitzingen?

Job creation is not a strict legal requirement, but it is a strong positive factor. Authorities consider whether your project benefits the regional economy, fills a market gap, and is sustainable. Plans to hire and train local staff can strengthen your application.

Can my family join me, and can my spouse work?

Yes. Eligible family members can usually apply for family reunification. Spouses generally receive permission to work. You must show sufficient living space and secure livelihood, and provide standard civil status documents.

How long until I can get permanent residence?

Self-employed entrepreneurs may qualify for a permanent settlement permit after several years if the business has been successfully established and your livelihood is secured. The exact timing and conditions depend on your permit category and individual circumstances. A lawyer can advise on the applicable route for you.

Do I need German language skills?

Initial self-employment residence is not tied to a formal language test in many cases. However, language ability helps with integration, business operations, and customer relations. For permanent residence, general integration conditions, including German language skills, typically apply.

Can I switch from a visitor status to a self-employment residence inside Germany?

Most applicants must obtain a national visa for self-employment before entering Germany. Citizens of certain visa-exempt countries can enter without a visa and apply in-country. Always confirm your nationality-specific rules before traveling.

What documents are typically required?

Expect to provide a detailed business plan, financing proof and lawful origin of funds, CV and qualifications, draft contracts or letters of intent, proof of accommodation in Kitzingen, health insurance, company formation documents, trade registration if applicable, and standard passport and civil status documents. The exact list depends on your case.

Which company form should I choose for my project?

Many investors choose a GmbH for credibility and liability protection, while a UG can suit lean startups. Liberal professions may operate as sole practitioners. The choice affects capital requirements, governance, tax, and perception by authorities. Seek legal and tax advice tailored to your model.

Additional Resources

Landratsamt Kitzingen Ausländerwesen - The district immigration authority that processes residence permits for Kitzingen.

Stadt Kitzingen Gewerbeamt - The city trade office for trade registrations and local business formalities.

Industrie- und Handelskammer Würzburg-Schweinfurt - Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry that can assess business plans and regional economic interest.

Handwerkskammer für Unterfranken - Chamber of Crafts for regulated trades, licensing guidance, and assessments.

Finanzamt Kitzingen - Local tax office for tax numbers, VAT registration, and tax compliance.

German Missions Abroad - Embassies and consulates that accept national visa applications for self-employment.

Federal Office for Migration and Refugees BAMF - Federal migration information and integration programs.

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action - Guidance on doing business in Germany and support programs.

Invest in Bavaria - The state-level business promotion agency that supports investors in Bavaria.

Wirtschaftsförderung Landkreis Kitzingen - Local economic development office that can provide regional insights and contacts.

Next Steps

Clarify your objective and profile. Determine whether your activity is a commercial business or a liberal profession, define your value proposition for the Kitzingen region, and assess whether you meet the criteria for self-employment residence.

Engage a lawyer and a tax advisor. Request a case assessment focused on Section 21 eligibility, corporate structure, tax impact, and a timeline that aligns visa processing with company formation milestones.

Develop a robust business plan. Include market analysis for Kitzingen and Lower Franconia, competitive landscape, hiring plan, location and premises strategy, regulatory requirements, three-year financial projections, and risk mitigation measures. Obtain letters of intent or partnership indications where feasible.

Secure financing and supporting evidence. Prepare bank confirmations, investment agreements, and proof of lawful origin of funds. If using a GmbH or UG, plan your notary appointment and capital contribution.

Coordinate with local stakeholders. Seek informal feedback from the Chamber of Commerce or Chamber of Crafts and speak with the local economic development office to align your plan with regional demand.

Prepare your visa file. Compile documents required by the German mission for the national visa, including your business plan and supporting evidence. If you are visa-exempt for entry, prepare for an in-country application with the Kitzingen immigration office.

Handle arrivals and registrations. After arrival, complete address registration in Kitzingen, finalize company formation, open bank accounts, register for taxes, and submit your residence permit application to the Ausländerbehörde with updated documents.

Maintain compliance. Keep proper accounting, file taxes on time, respect labor and social security rules, maintain adequate health insurance, and notify authorities of business changes. Plan renewals early and collect evidence that your business is operating successfully.

Beware of false promises. There is no guaranteed approval and no automatic visa in exchange for money. Avoid any service offering a fixed-price investment that claims to ensure a residence permit.

Schedule a consultation. If you need tailored legal assistance for a Residence by Investment strategy in Kitzingen, gather your CV, project summary, and questions, and arrange a meeting with a lawyer experienced in German self-employment residence and Bavarian procedures.