Best Residence by Investment Lawyers in Stade

About Residence by Investment Law in Stade, Germany

Germany does not operate a classic golden visa program where simply buying real estate grants residence. Instead, investors and entrepreneurs can apply for a residence permit for self-employment under Section 21 of the German Residence Act. In practice, this means you set up or take over a business that serves an economic interest or regional need, creates positive economic effects, and is reliably financed. Stade is in the federal state of Lower Saxony and is part of the Hamburg metropolitan region. Applications are assessed on federal legal criteria, but local authorities in and around Stade evaluate the regional benefit of your project and your ability to implement it.

Successful applicants typically enter Germany with a national visa for self-employment, then receive a temporary residence permit on arrival. With a well-performing business, a settlement permit may be possible after a few years. Family members can often join through family reunification if income, housing, and insurance requirements are met.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Residence by investment in Germany is really residence through entrepreneurship or self-employment. The rules are detailed and the assessment is highly fact-specific. A lawyer can help you determine whether your plan fits Section 21 requirements, prepare a persuasive business plan that addresses regional benefit in the Stade area, and coordinate with the competent foreigners authority and chambers of commerce.

Legal counsel is particularly valuable if you need to choose and form the right company structure, such as GmbH or UG, draft shareholder and managing director agreements, and meet corporate governance duties. Lawyers can also coordinate with tax advisers to plan your tax footprint in Germany, guide you through local licensing or sector approvals, and ensure employment law compliance if you hire staff. If you intend to buy or lease premises, a lawyer can review contracts, zoning, and building-use rules. For family members, counsel can manage parallel applications and verify income, housing, schooling, and health insurance requirements. Finally, a lawyer can troubleshoot issues like bank account opening, source-of-funds documentation, or changes needed if your business plan must be adapted after arrival.

Local Laws Overview

Residence and immigration are governed by federal law, primarily the Residence Act and associated regulations. However, implementation is local. In Stade and the surrounding district, the competent foreigners authority decides on residence permits after considering input from economic bodies. Key points include the following.

Section 21 Residence Act - Self-employment. You must show a coherent business concept, regional interest or need, positive economic effects such as job creation or innovation, your personal entrepreneurial experience, and secured financing from equity or a committed loan. Professional freelancing is also possible in regulated liberal professions, subject to approvals where applicable.

Company formation. If you set up a GmbH you need notarized articles of association, share capital of at least 25,000 euros with at least half paid in before registration, and registration in the commercial register at the competent local court. A UG can be formed with lower capital but must build reserves. After formation, register your business with the local trade office in the municipality where you operate in the Stade area and obtain any sector permits. Certain crafts require chamber registration and proof of qualifications.

Local implementation. The district foreigners authority for Stade handles residence matters for residents in its jurisdiction. Economic viability and regional benefit may be reviewed in coordination with the local chamber of commerce or crafts chamber. Address registration with the local citizens office is required shortly after moving, and health insurance coverage is mandatory. If your activity is in a regulated field, you may need professional licensing or recognition of foreign qualifications before a permit can be issued.

Taxes and compliance. New businesses must register with the local tax office. Corporate, trade, and value added tax obligations apply depending on your activity. Hiring staff triggers payroll and social security duties. Ongoing compliance with commercial law, accounting, and immigration reporting is essential to maintain and renew your residence permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Germany offer residence by simply investing in property in Stade?

No. Buying real estate alone does not lead to a residence permit in Germany. The common route for investors is a self-employment or entrepreneur permit under Section 21, which depends on the economic merit of your business plan and secured financing.

Is there a minimum investment amount for the self-employment permit?

There is no fixed statutory minimum. Authorities look at whether the financing is adequate for your specific project, whether it will benefit the regional economy, and whether your living expenses are covered. In practice, viable plans often involve six-figure budgets, but smaller knowledge-based or service projects can qualify if the concept is strong and financing is secure.

Who assesses whether my business benefits the Stade region?

The local foreigners authority is responsible for the residence decision and may seek opinions from economic bodies such as the local chamber of commerce or crafts chamber. They will consider factors like market need, job creation, innovation, and your experience.

Can my family join me if I receive a self-employment residence permit?

Yes. Spouses or registered partners and minor children can usually apply for family reunification if you have adequate income, sufficient health insurance, and appropriate housing. Some family members may need basic language skills for certain permits, but this depends on the category and age.

How long does it take to get the permit?

Processing times vary by embassy and local authority. As a rough guide, expect several weeks to a few months for the national visa, followed by a local residence permit appointment after arrival. Timelines depend on the quality of your documentation, business complexity, and appointment availability.

What documents are typically required?

Expect to provide a detailed business plan, CV, proof of professional qualifications where relevant, proof of financing such as bank statements or loan commitments, drafts of company formation documents, lease or proof of premises if applicable, health insurance, passport, and a clean criminal record statement. For family members, marriage and birth certificates and proof of housing and income are standard.

Do I need to know German?

German is not a strict requirement for the initial self-employment permit, but basic German significantly helps with business operations, banking, administration, and integration. For permanent residence and later naturalization, language skills are usually required.

When can I obtain permanent residence or citizenship?

Self-employed residents may qualify for a settlement permit after a few years if the business has been successfully realized and your livelihood is secure. General settlement rules also apply, including contributions to pension or equivalent and usually language and integration requirements. Naturalization is generally possible after several years of lawful residence if you meet integration, financial, and legal conditions. Specific timelines depend on the permit type and the law in force at the time of application.

Can I invest as a passive shareholder and get residence?

Passive shareholding without active management typically does not qualify. The Section 21 route expects you to actively run the enterprise as its managing director or as a freelancer. Some senior managers can qualify under employment routes, but that is not a passive investment pathway.

What are common reasons applications are refused?

Weak or generic business plans, insufficient financing, lack of personal entrepreneurial experience, no clear regional benefit to the Stade area, missing documents, non-compliant health insurance, or inconsistencies in source-of-funds evidence are common issues. Early legal review can mitigate these risks.

Additional Resources

Local foreigners authority for the district of Stade for residence permits and extensions.

Municipal citizens offices in the Stade area for address registration and certificates.

Local trade office for business registration and notifications.

Industry and commerce chamber serving the Stade region for business plan feedback, start-up support, and market information.

Regional crafts chamber for regulated trades and craft licensing.

Local tax office for tax registration, tax numbers, and VAT matters.

Notaries in the region for company formation and commercial register filings.

Federal Foreign Office and German embassies or consulates abroad for national visa applications.

Federal Office for Migration and Refugees for integration courses and general guidance on residence categories.

State economic development agencies in Lower Saxony for investment support and regional programs.

Next Steps

Step 1 - Confirm your eligibility. Discuss your background, business idea, and goals with an immigration lawyer to identify the best route under the Residence Act and to assess whether Section 21 self-employment fits your case.

Step 2 - Build a Stade-focused business plan. Prepare a clear market analysis for the Stade region, operations plan, hiring plan, financial projections, and evidence of financing. Address how your project meets a regional need and creates positive effects.

Step 3 - Choose a legal form and prepare incorporation. With legal and tax advice, select GmbH, UG, partnership, or freelance status. Draft articles, managing director contracts, and shareholder agreements, and plan for notary and commercial register filings.

Step 4 - Assemble application documents. Gather passports, CVs, qualifications, financial evidence, health insurance arrangements, draft lease or premises plan, and any sector licenses. Ensure translations and certifications meet requirements.

Step 5 - Apply for a national visa. File at the competent German mission abroad with your business plan and supporting documents. Coordinate anticipated timelines with the local Stade authorities through your lawyer if needed.

Step 6 - Enter Germany and complete local formalities. Upon arrival, attend your foreigners authority appointment, register your address, finalize company formation, open a business bank account, register with the trade office and tax office, and set up accounting and payroll if hiring.

Step 7 - Operate and maintain compliance. Keep the business active, meet tax and social security obligations, renew permits on time, and document progress and job creation. Discuss permanent residence strategy with your lawyer once eligibility approaches.

If you need assistance, consult an immigration lawyer with corporate and tax coordination experience in Lower Saxony. Prepare a brief summary of your project, target timelines, available capital, and any family members who will apply with you. A focused initial consultation can clarify feasibility and reduce costly delays.