Loans for Freelancers in Germany

Yes, freelancers (Freiberufler) and self-employed individuals (Selbstständige) can get personal loans in Germany. However, requirements are stricter: most banks require at least 2-3 years of self-employment history and tax returns proving stable income.

Freelancers typically need: last 2-3 years of tax returns (Einkommensteuerbescheid), current BWA (business evaluation), bank statements from the past 6-12 months, business registration, and sometimes an accountant's statement. Additional documents may include contracts with major clients.

Banks view self-employment as higher risk due to income fluctuations. Unlike employed workers with fixed monthly salaries, freelancers' income can vary significantly. Banks want to see consistent income over multiple years to ensure repayment ability.

Yes, some banks and online lenders specialize in serving freelancers. P2P platforms like Auxmoney use alternative risk assessment. Some traditional banks like DKB or ING have more flexible criteria for self-employed applicants with good income history.

Loan amounts depend on your documented income and existing obligations. Banks typically calculate your borrowing capacity based on your average income over 2-3 years. Freelancers often start with smaller amounts and can increase after establishing payment history.

It's challenging for freelancers with less than 2 years of history. Options include: applying with a co-signer (Bürge), showing strong contracts or client relationships, or using P2P lending platforms that consider other factors beyond traditional banking criteria.