Do you want to start a business in Germany? If yes, you are in the right place. Here in this article, we list the most profitable small business ideas in Germany for locals and foreigners.
Starting a business always needs good labor since you cannot do everything yourself. Germany offers you a highly skilled labor force which is a great factor in the success of your business.
There are different sectors in which you can start your business in Germany. You can also be innovative in your business ideas in Germany, as the country and its Government always welcome innovative ideas. Here is a list of some profitable business ideas for you in Germany.
25 Business Ideas in Germany
1. Manufacturing Auto Spare Parts
Manufacturing is the priority sector of the German economy and the automotive industry tops the list of industries. Therefore manufacturing auto spare parts can be a very profitable business for you in Germany. Start your manufacturing unit near the industrial areas and have good networking with the industrial sector. You can also sell the spare parts manufactured by you in showrooms.
2. Restaurant
The food business is a very profitable business area in Germany. You can start a restaurant business and expect a good return. Find a good location and focus on a good décor. However, you should give top priority to the quality of food and good hygienic standards. You can serve continental, fast food or set up a multi-cuisine restaurant. Both online and offline publicity is necessary for your restaurant business.
3. Open a Café
A café is a great business idea in Germany. Hence you can start your café at a good place. Serve different varieties of coffee along with fast food, snacks, and savories in your café. Focus your ad and campaign targeting all age groups as the café is a preferred place for everyone.
4. Start a Bakery in Germany
A part of the food business, the bakery is also a prospective business idea in Germany. You can start your bakery store in a prominent place. Otherwise, you may start your bakery business from home and supply your items to bakery stores, groceries, and cafes. Online bakery is also a profitable business where you will get orders online and delivered to doorsteps. Cake decoration has great demand. Online and social media marketing is very important for your bakery business.
5. Biotechnology
Biotechnology plays an important role in the German economy. Hence you can start a business related to biotechnology in Germany. However, before starting your business, get a good idea of Biotechnology and its commercial applications. There are different areas of biotechnology-related businesses. They include food processing, biofertilizer, biopesticide manufacturing, tissue culture, etc. You can start with any of these ideas and get a good profit.
6. DayCare
Child care and protection are important areas in Germany. Moreover, in a developed economy like Germany, working parents need the support of childcare centers to take care of their kids in their absence. Hence starting a child care center is a profitable business for you in Germany. Set up a spacious and comfortable center in a good locality or a place near the office areas. Appoint good caregivers and supervise the entire system personally. Good marketing and publicity are essential for your child care center business.
7. Elder Care
Senior citizens need extra care and attention. That is why eldercare is a good business idea in Germany. You can start an assisted living facility for aged persons offering them a comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle with all the amenities. Along with that arrange the service of a registered nurse and medical experts for persons with severe illnesses or disabilities. A website, as well as good marketing and publicity, are essential for the eldercare business.
8. Pet Care
Germans are great pet lovers. That is why pet care can be your lucrative business idea in Germany. There are various areas of the pet care business. You can do pet sitting, set up a pet care center, or provide services like dog walking or dog running. Personal networks along with online and offline marketing will help to grow your pet care business.
9. English Teaching
Learning English has a very good demand among students and professionals in Germany. If you know good English you can start your English teaching business in Germany. You can teach English from home, in a coaching center, or take classes online. Make separate teaching-learning modules for different levels of students. Good marketing and publicity are very important for this business of English teaching.
10. Career Counselling
The academic standard is very good in Germany. However, the students often get confused about the right career path for themselves. In this scenario, you can start a career counseling business in Germany. You can set up your counseling center or start counseling online. In both cases, you need a website along with well-planned online and offline marketing to get more clients for your career counseling business.
11. E-Commerce
E-commerce has a wide field and a great prospect in Germany. You can start your online store of everyday items like groceries, beauty products, or food. Electronic gadgets, computers even handicraft items can also be sold online. You will need a good app and an efficient delivery system. Marketing and publicity play an important role in the E-commerce business.
12. Aquaculture
Aquaculture or fish farming is a very profitable business idea in Germany. You can start a fish farming business and earn good returns. Fish farming business can be done both in ponds and tanks. Focus on the varieties of fish that have good demand. Along with that, build up a good sales network for quick sales of your produce.
13. Boutique
Fashion-conscious Germans have a great demand for designer dresses. If you are a fashion designer or have a good sense of design, you can start your boutique business in Germany. Be innovative in your designs and try to keep dresses for people of all age groups. Try to build your niche in designing. Good marketing along with online and social media publicity is very important for the boutique business.
14. Beauty Salon
Salons for hairdressing as well as beauty treatment have a good demand in Germany. Hence start your salon business in a good location. The unisex salon will be a more profitable business for you. Hire good hairdressers and beauticians for your salon. Website and online and offline marketing are essential for the growth of your business.
15. Professional Training
Grooming or managerial training has great demand in Germany. If you have a teaching background or experience as a trainer you can start this business of training different professional and managerial skills to work with people as well as aspiring job seekers. The best way to start the training business is online training through an app. Online marketing and social media ads are very important for this business.
16. Financial Services
Financial services have a good market in Germany. Hence you can start your financial services company in Germany and earn a good income. Under financial services, you can provide accounting, bookkeeping, investment and tax advice, balance sheet preparation, and bank reconciliation services. Preparations of business reports and business proposals are also parts of financial services. You need good contacts along with well-planned marketing to succeed in the financial services business.
17. IT Services
The widespread digitization in Germany has created a great demand for IT service providers. That is why you have a good business opportunity as an IT Service provider. Start your IT Consultancy and provide services like software development, installation of new software, training manpower, cybersecurity, and hardware maintenance, system updating, and troubleshooting. Your website along with online and offline marketing is very important for the business of IT services.
18. App Making
Apps are much in demand in today’s world and Germany is no exception. If you know to program you can start your business of app-making in Germany. Remember, you have to think out of the box to achieve success in the app-making business. You can make apps for different business concerns, and e-commerce companies as well as those for the utility of general people.
19. Virtual Communication
Virtual communication, meetings even virtual office has become important since the pandemic days. This is a good business idea for you if you are technically skilled. You can offer the services of virtual offices and virtual meetings or conferences to various corporate clients.
Apart from that, you can offer virtual file management and data classification services. An overseas company can also have a virtual office presence in Germany through your company. You need a good setup with high-speed internet and strategically planned digital marketing for this business.
20. Digital Marketing
Digital marketing services are very much sought after in Germany. Hence you can start a digital marketing company in Germany. In this business, you have to provide website designing, SEO services, online marketing plans and strategies, social media marketing and campaign as well as the creation of brand value in the digital market.
21. Eco-Friendly Product Retailing
Eco-friendly products have a very good demand in Germany. That is why; you can start a business of eco-friendly product retailing. Instead of a shop, you can sell these items online. The eco-friendly items that you can sell are natural laundry detergent and beauty products like soap or shampoo, solar-powered mobile chargers, non-plastic containers, biodegradable plates, cutlery, etc. Good online marketing and social media presence are key factors for your success.
22. Home and Office Cleaning
Janitorial services are a very profitable business in Germany. You can start a cleaning business offering cleaning services for homes as well as offices. Good gadgets, safe cleaning solutions, and a few hard-working staff are the primary requirements of the cleaning business. Provide disinfection as well as sanitization services to get more charges. Make good publicity of your services both online and offline.
23. Laundry Services
Laundry services are a good business idea in Germany. You can start your laundry from home. If there is not enough space at home, then go for a rented shop. Taking a franchise of a reputed laundry brand is also an option for the laundry service business. A good location and publicity are very important for your laundry business. Collection of laundry from home and delivery of clean clothes at the doorstep will give you an edge over the competitors.
24. Gym
The growing awareness about fitness has created a great demand for the gym business. Hence gym business in Germany can be a very profitable business for you. Find a place at a good location and furnish your gym with modern gym equipment for different kinds of exercises. Appoint qualified and experienced trainers. A good personal network along with publicity is very important for your gym business.
25. Tourism
Germany is a famous tourist destination with beauty and heritage. Therefore tourism is a lucrative business in Germany. You can open a travel agency that will take care of the entire tour program of the clients from reservations to local tours. Remember to get the necessary license and permits needed for this business. Other options in the tourism business include local tour operators or tourist guides. You need a good website and well-planned marketing and the right pricing to succeed in the tourism business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Germany a Good Country to Start a Business?
A developed country and a stable socio-economic condition are the primary advantages that will help you to start your business in Germany and grow it.
Being the largest economy in Europe, Germany is highly developed in science and technology as well as foreign trade. Hence it will be easier and more convenient for you to start your business in Germany.
Germany has a high rank on Human Development Index. As a result, you will have a good customer base for your business in Germany: be it products or services.
How can I get funds for starting my business in Germany?
The German Government offers different kinds of funding opportunities to new entrepreneurs. It includes direct grants, public loans and guarantees, and equity capital. The policy is the same for German citizens and foreigners.
Can foreigners start a business in Germany?
Yes, foreigners are encouraged to start a business venture by the German government. the most popular form of company formation structure is GmbH in Germany. Even a single person is allowed to form a GmbH here in the country.
What are the best cities to start a business in Germany?
The top 4 cities for startups to launch a business venture in Germany are the following:
- Berlin
- Munich
- Frankfurt
- Cologne
Is it difficult to start my business in Germany as a foreigner?
Not at all. German Government is open to all kinds of foreign businesses, especially small and medium-scale enterprises. Foreigners do not face any difficulty in starting their business in Germany.
Germany has a strong economy as well as it is open to new innovative business ideas. Therefore you will find a congenial business environment here. With the right business idea and good planning, you are sure to achieve success in your business in Germany.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.
