Hi All,

I recently went to renew my Freiberuflicher / freelancer permit.
A new requirement is being requested this time,

I need to get a paper from the Government Pension insurance that I am a free lancer and do not need to pay into the pension system

Now, I am a bit puzzled on this.
The free lancer does not need to pay pensions. So, this "opt out" confirmation from Rent payments from the berlin office seems a silly requirement.

Can anyone with experience on this explain how to get this paper??

ps. I already had Freiberuflicher permit six months ago and I do have VAT number etc. just this time, another girl was handling my case and asks for this new paperwork for renewal.

Huhhhhhhh.... I hate this paperwork

Hi,

it's all about 'Scheinselbständigkeit'.

How good is your German? Read this...

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheinselbstst%C3%A4ndigkeit

Good luck
Detlef

P.S.: Right now I am working on a new project for my Umbrella Company, which helps freelancers to avoid problems of many kinds.

well, got the idea... that government wants to avoid bogus self employment schemes.

now, if i need to get this paper, it seems clear that the full nature of contracting / free lancing business plan, scope, etc would need to be explained in legal terms, and then maybe these berlin pension guys would say... ok.. this is the "no pension required" paper

does not look like this is an easily doable task :-(

any help on what to do next?

You just have to prove that you were not working with one single customer from the time you started freelancing.