Trades requiring inspection

Basically in Germany there is freedom of trade. There are however exceptions to this rule.

While trades requiring a license may only be performed with the corresponding license, there are activities where no special license has to be produced when applying for a trading license, they are however subject to special inspections.

These are activities that should only be performed by persons that are particularly reliable (e.g. the sale and installation of building security measures or lock and key services).

Only persons who can prove that they are reliable are allowed to perform such trades. The inspection is carried out by the relevant Municipal Offices/City Council.

Release note

The German original version of this text was drafted in close cooperation with the relevant departments. The Wirtschaftsministerium released it on 27.01.2017. Only the German text is legally binding. The Federal State does not assume any liability for the translated texts.

In cases of doubt or if you have any questions or problems, please contact the relevant authorities directly.