"German Citizenship Struggle for Freelancers: Perceived Inequity in the System" or "Freelancers Face Equity Issues in Acquiring German Citizenship"
In Germany, freelancers face a unique set of obstacles when applying for citizenship, compared to salaried employees. Kathryn, an American freelancer who has lived and worked in Germany for over 15 years, is one of many who have encountered these challenges.
Kathryn, along with her German husband, has considered leaving Germany due to the bureaucratic hurdles they've faced as freelancers. The process for freelancers can be slower, more expensive, and more confusing, requiring additional paperwork such as an audit report, tax assessment, and tax clearance certificate.
For instance, freelancers must demonstrate consistent and sufficient income to support themselves and any dependents, which can be challenging if income varies month to month or year to year. In contrast, salaried employees generally provide their employment contract and payslips as proof of regular, reliable income.
Moreover, freelancers must arrange and pay for their own health insurance and other social security contributions, often at higher rates than employees. The German authorities require proof of valid health insurance coverage.
Freelancers also need to provide additional documentation, such as registration with the tax office, business licenses (if applicable), and evidence of client relationships or ongoing contracts. They must prove that they are genuinely self-employed and not engaged in "fake self-employment" (Scheinselbständigkeit), which is illegal and disqualifies them from certain visa or citizenship benefits.
These complexities are not lost on other freelancers, like Marcelo, a Brazilian artist who has lived in Germany for seven years. Marcelo believes German society is not designed for freelancers and prefers a more traditional nine-to-five job structure.
The cost of applying for German citizenship as a freelancer can be prohibitive, with expenses like Prüfungsbericht, legal fees, and document translations amounting to thousands of euros. Kathryn has estimated spending between €5,000 and €10,000 annually on freelance-related expenses since moving to Germany.
Both Kathryn and Marcelo have requested anonymity while in the process of applying for German citizenship. They are not alone in their struggles; many freelancers have explored relocating to countries like the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Senegal, which are considered more freelancer-friendly.
Despite these challenges, Kathryn remains hopeful, working diligently to navigate the complex system. German immigration authorities carefully scrutinise freelancers' financial documents, even minor discrepancies can lead to suspicion. However, Kathryn finds German bureaucracy unclear and not well-suited for freelancers.
The Freiberufler visa allows non-EU citizens to be self-employed or work as freelancers in Germany for a period of three years, before renewal. This visa offers a pathway for freelancers to establish themselves in Germany, but the citizenship process remains a significant hurdle.
In conclusion, while the citizenship process shares common requirements (language, clean criminal record), freelancers must navigate a more complex and evidence-intensive process to demonstrate their eligibility for German citizenship. It is hoped that improvements will be made to streamline this process and make it more accessible for freelancers in the future.
Sports and weather are topics Kathryn and Marcelo often discuss while taking breaks from their work, hoping for a change in the weather to help motivate them during long workdays as freelancers in Germany. Despite their struggles with the bureaucratic process for German citizenship, they occasionally manage to find time to watch a soccer match or take a walk in the park on a nice day.
