Travel trade; notification of an activity not requiring a permit

  • Brief description

    Certain travel trade activities that do not require a permit must be reported to the responsible municipality.

  • Description

    If you wish to sell or purchase goods, offer services, seek orders for services or operate as a showman on a commercial basis outside of a commercial establishment or without the existence of such an establishment without prior appointment, you generally require a permit (traveling trade card) (for more information, see "Related topics" - "Traveling trade; permit").

    However, certain activities do not require 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

    • the sale of goods, the purchase of goods, the offering of services or the solicitation of 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 distribution of foodstuffs or other everyday goods from a non-fixed sales outlet or other facility at regular, shorter intervals at the same location,
    • the offering for sale of printed works on public paths, streets, squares or in other public places.

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

  • Prerequisites

    • Age of majority or authorization of the legal representative(s) and approval of the family court

  • Deadlines

    Notification is required before the start of commercial activity.

  • Required documents

    Valid identity card or passport

    Business registration

    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, according to which the business is to commence before the GmbH is entered in the commercial register

    Minors: Authorization from the legal representative(s) and approval from the family court

    Authorization: Written power of attorney and identification of the principal and the authorized representative

  • Costs

    EUR 25 to EUR 100 in accordance with the Schedule of Costs under the Costs Act (Tariff No. 5.III.5/23.5)

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    Administrative court action

Responsible departments