Travel trade; notification of an activity not requiring a permit

If you sell, distribute or purchase goods or offer services on a commercial basis outside a commercial establishment without a prior order, you generally need a permit (travel trade license) (for more information, see "Related topics" - "Travel trade; permit").

However, certain activities are exempt from a travel trade license (see "Related topics" - "Occasional offering of goods for sale; applying for a permit"). However, some of these activities are instead subject to notification to the municipality, unless the trade is already subject to trade notification. These are

• offering goods for sale, soliciting orders, offering services or soliciting orders for services in the municipality of his place of residence or commercial establishment, provided the municipality has no more than 10,000 inhabitants,
• the sale of foodstuffs or other everyday goods from a non-fixed sales outlet or other establishment at regular, shorter intervals at the same location,
• the offering for sale of printed matter on public roads, streets, squares or other public places.

In this respect, you must submit a trade notification to the responsible municipality. Local jurisdiction lies with the municipality in whose district you have your habitual residence.

Contact:

+(49) 09131 / 86 - 2290

+(49) 09131 / 86 - 1876

• Age of majority or approval of the guardianship court

Notification is required before the start of commercial activity.

• valid identity card or passport
• Trade advertisement
• Legal entities: Extract from the commercial register or comparable registration documents from abroad (with German translation)
• GmbH in formation: a copy of the notarized formation agreement and a power of attorney from the founders stating that the business should commence before the GmbH is entered in the commercial register
• Minors: Power of attorney or authorization from the guardianship court
• Authorization: Written power of attorney and identification of the principal and the authorized representative