Entry in the Register of Crafts and Crafts Similar to Crafts Subject to Authorisation

If you wish to exercise an unlicensed trade or a trade similar to a trade on a self-employed basis, you must notify your Chamber of Crafts of the start of the commercial activity.

The register of owners of a craft or craft-like trade that is not subject to licensing is a register in which all

• natural and
• legal entities and
• partnerships with legal capacity

who operate an unlicensed craft or craft-like trade must register. The crafts that are exempt from licensing are listed in Section 1 of Annex B to the Crafts Code.

These include:

• Watchmakers,
• goldsmiths and silversmiths,
• wood sculptors,
• sailmakers,
• shoemakers,
• millers,
• brewers and maltsters,
• textile cleaners,
• building cleaners,
• photographers,
• bookbinders and
• violin makers.

Trades similar to crafts are listed in Section 2 of Appendix B to the Crafts Code. These include:

• Iron weavers,
• floor layers,
• Metal grinders and metal polishers,
• vehicle recyclers,
• pipe and drain cleaners,
• ice cream makers,
• beauticians and
• Piano tuners.

In order for the register to be kept correctly, there is a legal obligation to notify the Chamber of Skilled Crafts of the start or termination of the independent operation of an unlicensed craft or craft-like trade. Notification of the start of the business triggers a procedure for entry in the register.

To the Chamber of Crafts in whose district your future business premises are located.

You can also complete the procedure electronically via the Point of Single Contact

• You independently carry out an unlicensed craft or craft-like trade.
• Registration covers anyone who carries out entrepreneurial activity in a craft or craft-like trade that is exempt from registration. The obligation to notify and register applies to the owners, in the case of partnerships to the partners and in the case of corporations to the authorized representatives (e.g. managing director of a limited liability company) of the respective company.

Advice and contact details of the Chambers of Crafts

https://www.handwerkskammer.de

List of all crafts and trades that do not require a licence

https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/hwo/anlage_b.html