How to become a self-employed personal trainer in Germany

If you're passionate about fitness and health, becoming a self-employed Personal Trainer in Germany can turn your hobby into a successful career. But before you jump in, it’s important to know what’s required—from legal registrations to managing your finances and taxes.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What you need to get started as a personal trainer

• How to register your business

• Costs and income expectations

• How to automate your accounting & taxes, applies correct VAT, and creates professional invoices—even for international clients

Basic requirements to start as a personal trainer

To work as a self-employed personal trainer in Germany, you’ll need:

• A recognized fitness qualification (at least a B-License is recommended; C-License is the entry level, A-License is advanced)

• Basic business skills (strong communication skills, empathy and motivational ability, effective organization and time management)

• Registration with the local tax office (Finanzamt)

• Health insurance (either public or private)

• Liability insurance (highly recommended)

• Good record-keeping for your income and expenses

Fitness qualifications list:

• C-License: Basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and training fundamentals

• B-License (recommended): Essential for creating individual training plans and detailed knowledge in sports science

• A-License: Advanced skills in performance-oriented and rehabilitative training

Registering as a freelancer

Most personal trainers are classified as freelancers (Freiberufler). This usually means you don’t need to register a Gewerbe or pay trade tax (Gewerbesteuer)—but the final decision comes from your local tax office.

Steps to register:

1. Notify your local Finanzamt (tax office) that you’re starting self-employment.

2. Fill in the “Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung” (tax registration form). You can file it digitally for free with Norman.

3. Receive your tax number (Steuernummer)—required for invoicing clients.

4. Optional: Register as a Kleinunternehmer to avoid charging VAT if you earn less than €25,000/year (in the first year).

Get more information about registration as a freelancer in Germany in the following article.

👌Tip: If your activity is not recognized as a freelance profession, you may need to register a Gewerbe at your local municipality and pay trade tax. So always double check it.

Understanding costs & setting your rates

The costs of becoming a self-employed Personal Trainer include:

Most trainers start as freelancers with minimal overhead. If you open your own studio, costs will increase (rent, utilities, staff).

Setting your hourly rate:

Typical rates for self-employed trainers: €50–€100/hour. Many recommend charging at least €75/hour to cover all your expenses and taxes.

👍 Tip: Start with minimal equipment and expand as your business grows

Taxes & accounting information

Key tax obligations for freelancers include:

• Income tax: Must be declared annually via income tax return.

• VAT (Mehrwertsteuer): Typically 19%. However, as a small business (Kleinunternehmer), you're exempt if annual turnover stays below €25,000 in the first year.

• Trade tax (Gewerbesteuer): Applicable only if registered as a trade.

• EÜR: profit and loss statement utilized for determining your business's profit

• Proper invoicing: Include necessary details (name, address, VAT ID, date, service description, total amount). It is mandatory to issue e-invoices starting from January 1, 2025.

🇩🇪 Your free guide to self-employment in Germany

Ready to start your self-employed journey but not sure where to begin? Our free handbook has you covered—clear, simple, and jargon-free

Inside you’ll find:

• ✅ Step-by-step instructions for every stage of self-employment

• 🎁 Handy extras: Deductible cheat sheet, invoice template, and a 2025 tax calendar

Kickstart your freelance career with confidence. Download your free guide now and make self-employment simple!