Frequent Asked
Questions
(FAQs)
Frequent Asked
Questions
(FAQs)
-THIS IS NO LEGAL ADVICE-
The International Entrepreneurship Office (IEO) supports international founders who want to start their business in Aachen. This includes support in getting/extending your visa, opening up your bank account, finding a place to live, finding office space, learning German, getting into valuable communities and building up your start-up network in Aachen.
In combination with the Ideation and Incubation Program by RWTH Innovation, we offer start-up coaching and support to young start-ups in their application for funding such as the EXIST Business Start-up Grant.
In combination with the Ideation and Incubation Program by RWTH Innovation, we offer start-up coaching and support to young start-ups in their application for funding such as the EXIST Business Start-up Grant.
The IEO addresses international founders who want to start their business in Aachen. These international founders typically also participate in the Ideation and Incubation Program by RWTH Innovation.
We act as a facilitator for international start-ups in Aachen since we are convinced that a multicultural founder landscape is the key for a broad, innovative mindset, an exchange of ideas and eventually enables future cross-border activities.
Yes.
According to the Expat City Ranking 2019, Aachen ranks 11th among the best cities for living abroad worldwide, making it the most liveable German city; in the category ‘Urban Work Life’, Aachen takes first place, as it did in 2018. Furthermore, RWTH Aachen University provides special support to internationals interested in setting up their own business. The International Entrepreneurship Office has been specifically tailored to the needs of international founders. We help you access the broad infrastructure of RWTH Aachen University and connect you with the services for founders offered by RWTH Innovation.
Firstly, we help you figure out what kind of German visa is the right type for you. Therefore, we need some background information such as your nationality, your current legal status in Germany and your current country of residence. You can also get a first indication via the official German visa navigator.
If you agree, we will transfer your information to the local authorities such as the foreigners’ office which is responsible for issuing visas and residence permits.
If you agree, we will transfer your information to the local authorities such as the foreigners’ office which is responsible for issuing visas and residence permits.
We can help you with your application for the EXIST Business Start-up Grant. This grant is a support program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and is co-financed by the European Social Fun. Find more information in the section about funding support.
We can connect you with various accommodation options in Aachen. We recommend that you start your search 2-3 months before coming to Aachen. The RWTH Website provides a good overview of the different housing options.
If you reside in Germany, it is illegal not to be health insured. Therefore you can choose between two types of health insurance: The statutory health insurance (GKV) or the private health insurance (PKV). Business-owners and other self-employed workers can always opt out of statutory health insurance in favour of private health insurance. After the official foundation of your startup, you will have up to three months to choose. It is important to know that once you have chosen to be privately health insured, you will generally not be able to go back into the GKV. Therefore, it is important to choose wisely. Furthermore, as a self-employed founder, you will have to cover the full insurance costs (whether it is GKV or PKV) on your own (not shared with your employer).
Pricing of health insurance: Since the statutory health insurance payments are based on the monthly gross income, there are no large differences between different insurance providers. The insured always pays about 15% of the monthly gross income. For private health insurances, the costs vary widely between 400 and 800 EUR per month dependending on the coverage. Hence, it requires some research to find the right private health insurance. In case you need more help, feel free to contact the IEO for company contacts.
Pricing of health insurance: Since the statutory health insurance payments are based on the monthly gross income, there are no large differences between different insurance providers. The insured always pays about 15% of the monthly gross income. For private health insurances, the costs vary widely between 400 and 800 EUR per month dependending on the coverage. Hence, it requires some research to find the right private health insurance. In case you need more help, feel free to contact the IEO for company contacts.
A business liability insurance (Betriebshaftpflichtversicherung) is a very important insurance that protects against damage to people and property which could occur in an office. The business liability insurance covers the liability risks of tradesmen and industrial companies, freelancers and craftsmen and should be taken into consideration when founding a business.
You can for sure survive without German language skills in Aachen. However, we encourage you to learn the local language for a better social integration. Language courses for foreigners are for instance offered by Volkshochschule (VHS).
Contact the International Entrepreneurship Office for further information.
Contact the International Entrepreneurship Office for further information.
Just fill out the contact form and set the checkmark for “I am interested in the offering of the International Entrepreneurship Office” or send an E-Mail.