Wirtschafts-Service-Portal

Commercial permits

In Germany there is freedom of trade, i.e. no special permit is required for the exercise of most trades. Only in certain industries do you need a special permit in addition to the commercial advertisement. The purpose of this permit is to identify special qualifications and personal and spatial aptitudes.

Important note:

Please note that the following services

  • Financial investment consultant & financial investment broker - Grant of permission n. § 34h and § 34f Gewerbeordnung
  • Real estate loan broker - Grant of permission n. § 34i Gewerbeordnung
  • Intermediary Register - Application for registration n. § 11a Gewerbeordnung and issue of a registration number
  • Insurance Consultant & Insurance Intermediary - Grant of Permit n. § 34d Gewerbeordnung

It is currently being prepared as an online service. They will be available on this page shortly.

Security industry - licence (according to § 34a GewO)

Do you want to commercially protect the life or property of third parties from interference by third parties? So, for example. Guarding buildings, checking passengers, transporting money and valuables

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If you want to become self-employed as a financial investment advisor or financial investment broker, you must apply for a permit.

If you would like to arrange the conclusion of real estate consumer loan agreements or corresponding financial aid for consideration or would like to advise third parties on such agreements (real esta

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If you want to open a private hospital, private maternity hospital or private nerve clinic, then you need a commercial license, a so-called concession. You must apply for these.

Do you want to arrange commercial real estate or loan agreements? For this you need an official permission. This also applies if you want to commercially manage residential properties or joint ownersh

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If you want to become a commercial pawnbroker or pawnbroker, you need the permission of the competent authority.

If you want to have an event for the display of people take place commercially in your business premises, you need a permit for this.

An entry in the Intermediary Register of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) is required for the permitted self-employed activity as an insurance intermediary and advisor, real estate loan int

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If you want to work as a self-employed insurance consultant, you need a permit from the competent Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

If you want to work as a self-employed insurance intermediary, you need a permit from your local Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK).

If you arrange insurance only as a supplement to the goods or services delivered in the context of your main activity, you may be exempted from the authorisation requirement for insurance intermediari

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Would you like to auction off other people's movable property, land or rights on a commercial basis? For this you need an auctioneer's permit.

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About the portal

The WSP.NRW is the central platform in NRW to digitally and easily handle over 80 online services for traders, liberal professions, cross-border services and the recognition of foreign professional qualifications.

For companies
Online applications

© 2025 Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

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