German Residence Permit - Self Sufficient or Self Employed?

[Bellybell]

Hi, I am planning to move to Germany but thinking for months and not sure which way is the best to get the German Residence Permit.

I am holding a British passport and have been living and working in Hong Kong for years as a freelance recruitment head-hunter. I also started my online retail trade business for UK market recently.

My earning is about EUR3000-EUR4000 per month (paid in HKD) with pension saving of over EUR30,000. Personal saving is just about EUR6,000. The retail online business doesn't earn much as it is just started.
I got married with 2 kids in HK, my husband earns similar as me.

Below are my questions:
1) Shall I apply the Residence Permit by self-sufficient or self-employment as a freelance? If I shall apply for self-employment, shall I apply under recruitment head-hunter or trader? which way is easier?
Remarks, since it is a freelance work in Hong Kong and I will be able to get the same earning even I moved to Germany as long as I can provide the services and make benefit to the company.

2) Shall I ask my current employer (from Hong Kong) to write me a proof?

3) to proof my income / self-sufficient, does the relevant authorities will accept online printing bank record as a proof (e.g. screenshot / electronic statement)? since it is not command to have mail version in HK now.

4) Can my husband's earning be part of my self-sufficient's resources?

5) My husband and the kids will stay in HK for some whiles so I am thinking if I shall apply his dependent visa. Per my understanding, my income tax thresholds will be better if registering my husband as a dependent, but the problem is that he will not be in Germany in the coming 2 to 3 years and he also has income. Any advice?

[mgb]

As long as the UK is part of the EU you can exercise your right of free movement.
Your husand has to apply for a residence card due to the Act on the General Freedom of Movement for EU Citizens in Germany and not for a residence permit. The first 3 month are unconditional and he would need a visa for the family member of a eu citizen.
You as a eu citizen has to apply for nothing.

The problem with self-sufficient status is maybe health insurance. It can be pretty expensive for the whole family.
The problem with self employed is maybe where you have to pay taxes. I guess paying taxes in HK wouldn't match a self employed status in Germany.

[Bellybell]

Happy New Year and many thanks for your advices.

I would prefer to apply for the Free Movement Certificate (Freizügigkeitsbescheinigung). Do you know the procedures or any website for my reference?

[mgb]

Happy New Year.

The Free Movement Certificate was canceled in Germany serveral years ago.
As a eu citizen you have to register your residence/address in the city hall like every german and that is it.

[Bellybell]

Hi mgb, thanks for your useful advice.

I am still confusing on below issues even i done a lot of research.....

1) how and when I should provide self sufficient to relevant department for proof? shall i keep both the bank record and health insurance receipts until i apply for nationationlised?

2) I already bought a worldwide health insurance on hands issued by AIA, it mainly for inpatient and day patient. can i use this as a private health insurance? or I have to buy one from other issurer?

3) If i meed to buy a new private health issurance to fulfit the german requirement, can you advise some reference? i tried to search for the cheapest rate as a self sufficient, some forum said the cost can be lower down to about €40/month but i never found it. do you have any recommendation?

Million thanks

[mgb]

1. The verification get triggered if you apply for social welfare or a none EEA family member apply for a residence card. If you apply for german citizenship you already reached permanent residence as a eu citizen and nothing has to be proved except your residence time.

3. The german health insurance market is not so easy if you are not forced to be member of a statuary health insurance.
The so called privat health insurances are cheaper if you are young and go through the roof if you get older.
For 40 euro you can get a travel health insurance for incoming foreigners but not more.

[philip28]

Besides registering at the town-hall, doesn't the OP need to register elsewhere as self-sufficient, self-employed, or employed to officially start exercising right of free movement?

[mgb]

There is no duty in Germany to register anything at the foreigner office for a eu citizen.
Only a non-EU family member has to apply for a residence card.
This will trigger a check of the circumstances of the eu citizen.
Beside that a self-employed person has to register his self-employment at the town hall. The town hall forward this registration to the tax office.