🇩🇪 Germany Freelancer Tax Calculator
Estimate your after-tax income as a self-employed worker in Germany.
Estimated after-tax income
30.047 €
≈ 14.954 € in tax & contributions
Approximated using employee contribution rates; real Freiberufler vs Gewerbe treatment, trade tax and voluntary/private insurance differ significantly.
Estimate only — not tax advice. Figures are estimates based on publicly available tax rules and may not reflect your full circumstances. See our methodology & sources. Always confirm with an official tax authority or a licensed adviser before making decisions.
Self-employment tax in Germany
Freelancers split into Freiberufler (liberal professions) and Gewerbe (trades), which differ on trade tax. The Kleinunternehmer rule can exempt small businesses from VAT. Either way, it's a different calculation from employee payroll — use the freelancer calculator.
Freelance taxation differs from employee payroll in three ways: who pays the social contributions, how and when you file, and which expenses you can deduct. The calculator above gives a simplified estimate — for anything beyond a ballpark, especially around deductible expenses and special regimes, speak to a qualified accountant in Germany.
Want the employee picture instead? Use the Germany salary calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
+How are freelancers taxed in Germany?
Freelancers split into Freiberufler (liberal professions) and Gewerbe (trades), which differ on trade tax. The Kleinunternehmer rule can exempt small businesses from VAT. Either way, it's a different calculation from employee payroll — use the freelancer calculator.
+Is freelance tax higher than employee tax in Germany?
Self-employed workers often shoulder social contributions an employer would otherwise share, but can deduct business expenses. The net effect varies — use the calculator above for a ballpark and confirm with an accountant.
Estimate only — not tax advice. Figures are estimates based on publicly available tax rules and may not reflect your full circumstances. See our methodology & sources (last reviewed June 2026). Always confirm with an official tax authority or a licensed adviser before making decisions.