DACH Region
More and more people are working part-time as freelancers – but when do you actually need to register your freelance work officially?
This overview shows how much you can earn in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria without having to register:
Overview: Tax-Free Income & Registration Requirements
| Country | Tax-Free Up To | Turnover Threshold (no VAT) | Registration Required? | What to Do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | €10,908 (Basic tax allowance 2025) | €22,000 (previous year) €50,000 (current year) | ✅ Yes – with the tax office (even part-time) | – Submit “Tax registration form” – Use the small business VAT exemption |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | approx. CHF 15,000 (varies by canton) | CHF 100,000 (VAT registration threshold) | ⚠️ Yes – from CHF 2,300 → AHV (social insurance) applies | – Track all income – From CHF 2,300: register as self-employed with AHV |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | €12,816 (Basic tax allowance 2025) | €35,000 (VAT duty from 2024) | ⚠️ Yes – from €6,221.28 profit → SVS applies | – Record income – If exceeded: notify SVS & possibly tax office |
In Short:
- Tax-free means: No income tax as long as your yearly earnings are below the basic allowance.
- Turnover limit refers to VAT obligations – if you stay under this, registration is usually not required.
- Registration required? shows when you’re obligated to report your activity – even if it’s just a side hustle.
Tip:
If you work through Expert Connect as a freelancer, you don’t need to track all your earnings. Instead you can visit your Dashboard on Expert Connect and you are ready to respond quickly and correctly if the tax office or insurance asks.
Register now for free & start your freelance journey:
➡️ https://expert-connect.ch
#find freelancer #freelancer finden
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