As a self-employed provider on our marketplace, you offer services independently and on your own account. To operate legally and build trust with customers, it is important to understand the concept of self-employment and have the necessary documents, such as a business license.
1. What Does Self-Employment Mean? 💼
Self-employment means that you offer your services on your own responsibility and account. You are not an employee, but run your own business.
Key features of self-employment:
You set your own working hours and choose which offers to accept.
You determine your own rates and decide how much to charge customers per hour.
You issue invoices directly to your customers.
Discover more helpful guides on invoicing, pricing and payment here.
Please note that when registering, you already confirmed your self-employment status and agreed to our terms and conditions. Based on this, we assume that you hold a valid business license that entitles you to work independently in Germany.
2. What Is a Business License? 📄
A business license is an official confirmation that you have registered your business and are legally allowed to offer services as a self-employed provider.
It provides legal protection for your services
Customers and authorities can verify your activity
On our marketplace, you can upload your business license to verify your profile and build trust with customers
Take a look at this sample to see how it should be done.
3. How Do I Obtain a Business License? 🏢
In Germany, a business license is applied for at the local city or municipal office (Gewerbeamt). The usual steps are:
Complete the form: Personal information, type of business, business name if applicable
Submit documents: ID or passport, and any qualification certificates if required
Pay the fee: Costs vary by municipality (approx. €20–60)
Receive the license: Usually immediately or within a few days
Note: Certain services may require additional permits or proof, e.g., for crafts or household-related work.
4. How to Submit Your Business License – and Why It’s Worth It ✅
When you registered, you already confirmed that you hold a valid business license and are authorized to work independently in Germany.
To make your profile even more attractive to potential customers, you can also send us your valid business license by email to kontakt@helpling.de.
📩 What happens next?
Our service team reviews the document.
We add a verification note to your account.
Customers will see this information in the booking process.
👉 Your benefit: Verified profiles with a valid business license have a much higher chance of being selected by customers.
5. How to Check Your Verification Status 🔍
You can check your current status at any time:
Log in to your account.
Go to the “More” section.
Under “Profile”, select “Edit my public profile”.
If you see a check mark next to Business License, this means your profile is verified and customers can see it too.
6. Summary ✅
Self-employment means working independently on your own account: you set your hours, decide your rates, and invoice customers directly.
A business license officially confirms your registration and ensures legal protection. Customers and authorities can verify your activity.
You can obtain a business license at your local city or municipal office (Gewerbeamt) by completing a form, submitting ID, and paying a small fee.
By sending us your business license (kontakt@helpling.de), your profile will be marked as verified — boosting customer trust and your chances of being booked.
You can check your verification status anytime in your profile settings: a check mark next to Business License means customers can see your verification.