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 on a commercial basis without a prior order, outside of a commercial establishment or without maintaining such an establishment; offer services; solicit orders for services; or operate as a traveling showman, you generally need a permit (travel trade license) (for more information, see “Related Topics” – “Travel 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 where you reside or where you have a business establishment, provided that the municipality has no more than 10,000 residents,
    • 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

  • Procedure

    The report must be filed with the appropriate municipality.


Responsible departments