Last Updated on September 2, 2022
This list includes profitable businesses you can start or invest in as a small business in Germany. You can also read about small business ideas in the USA.


Germany is a highly developed and industrialized nation; it is noted as a country with the highest labor productivity levels in the world.
Being the largest economy in Europe, Germany is highly developed in science and technology as well as foreign trade. Hence it will be easier and convenient for you to start your business in Germany.
Germany has a high rank on Human Development Index. As a result, you will have a good customer base for your business in Germany: be it products or services.
Global brands like Mercedes – Benz, Adidas, BMW, Volkswagen, SAP, Porsche, Siemens, Audi, Bosch, Allianz, et al are all German companies and they have their Head Quarters in Germany.
Germany is noted as the 7th most visited country in the world with an estimate of over 407.26 million visitors in 2012 generating a whooping sum of US$38 Billion.
So if you live in Germany or you intend relocating with the purpose of starting a business in Germany, then it might interest you to go through this article as you will learn about some of the most profitable small business ideas in Germany you can start.
Table of Contents
27 Most Profitable Small Business Ideas in Germany
1. Transportation Business
Transportation is one of the necessities that are almost indispensable in every economy, and this is why the demand for transport services is high almost everywhere. As a foreign investor in Germany, you can start a transport business, the scope of which hinges on your capital. If you have little capital, start a taxi service that transports people within local routes. As time goes, you can start an inter-city or inter-state transport service.
2. Food Business
Food business is probably the best business to start not just in Germany, but all over the world. This is because there is a universal need for food, and it is the most important basic need of man. So if you are thinking about venturing into the business opportunities in Germany, food business is one of the most notable.
3. Car Manufacturing and Retailing
The car manufacturing industry is the largest in Germany’s manufacturing sector, accounting for a larger chunk of the total industrial output. This high production rate notwithstanding, there are huge opportunities for businesses that sell electronic products to consumers. With a little capital, you can focus on a narrow range of car manufacture, but this could be wider depending on your capital.
4. Online Marketing and Advertising
With increasing need by businesses to attract customers and sell their offers via the internet comes the booming demand for professionals and businesses that offer online marketing services. These services range from copywriting to search engine optimization. If you are a seasoned copywriter, or a website designer and developer, or a search engine optimization specialist, or a social media marketing expert etc.
5. Freelance Writing
With the increase in number of individuals and businesses that have adopted blogging as a way of making money online comes the escalating demand for creative ghost writers. So, freelancing is one of the business opportunities in Germany.
6. Laundry and Dry Cleaning
Most Germans especially in this era are just too busy to handle their laundry themselves. So, they would rather pay to get this done for them. If you are looking to start a small-scale business in Germany, consider this option.
7. Financial Services
Because there are many businesses, both indigenous and foreign in Germany, there is high demand for individuals that offer professional financial services such as accounting, auditing, and bookkeeping. If you have a solid background in any of these services, you can make a lot of money in Germany by helping other businesses with the skills you have on offer.
8. Auto Spare Part sales
Cars and other automobiles sell very well in Germany. And foreigners can easily break into the business. But capital remains the main issue, as the business requires huge capital. However, if you are having little capital, you can start a business that sells auto spare parts instead. They sell well, too.
9. Appliances Repairing
Individuals who need to have their appliances or furniture repaired can save costs. Hence, a repair service business can be a good business option. In any economy, whether good or bad, people will always have things to fix as fixing an item cost less than buying a brand new one.
10. Fitness Trainer
More and more people are realizing the importance of having a fit body. A fitness trainer can get his share of clients. Products that enhance health may likewise have huge demand.
11. Telecommunication business
Germany is one of the major telecom hubs in Europe. Be it mobile phone connections or providing internet services, there is a whole market that has been left untapped by existing telecommunications players. Although the existence of private players is very prominent, facilities such as radio and television stations are all government-owned bodies.
12. Fashion Retailing
Germans are a very fashionable bunch of people. They love keeping up with the latest trends and looking their best at all times. It’s thus easy for anyone who is into fashion to break even in the country.
13. Information Technology Services
Many globally-renowned IT firms have already set up businesses in Germany owing to the growing potential and skilled labour available in this arena. You could set up a business that provides a variety of IT services such as wireless networks, or web development, social networking, website designing or other businesses depending on your interest. Cyber laws here are well-equipped to regulate the internet and are updated on a regular basis.
14. Hospitality Business
Any destination that has a booming tourism industry will most definitely have a growing hospitality industry. This includes small-time bars and cafes to large multinational chains of hotels and resorts to the food and beverage industry here. You could make hay while the sun shines and invest in this sector.
15. Travel and Tourism Business
The travel and tourism industry is one of the contributors to the German economy. You might want to think about tapping potential domestic and international tourists by setting up your own travel agency or an airline that would cater to their every need and make their visit a memorable one.
16. Career Coaching
Want to help and inspire people for a living? Starting a career coaching practice could be the key to doing what you love and making a difference. Through career coaching you can work with clients of all ages, from young people who don’t know what career path to pursue or how to land their dream job, to older people looking for a career change.
17. E-Commerce
You don’t have to be a big-box retailer to start an online store. Whether you sell directly to consumers or use a drop-shipping service, all you need is a website and the right e-commerce software to get started. You can sell your own products or items from niche suppliers. Alternatively, if you’re crafty, you can also sell your own handcrafted creations on online marketplaces.
18. Event Planner
Do you love throwing parties and organizing meetings? Start an event-planning business and turn your passion into a profitable small business. Everyone needs event planners, from individuals to organizations and corporations. Though as an event planner, you will need to be resourceful and have a keen eye for detail
19. Consulting
If you are good at solving issues or if people always come to you for help on certain areas. Well may be it could be time to offer your services to people out there at a fee. Businesses need consultants who can help them realize their mission and visions. Individuals want help with the problems in their lives. People are willing to pay you if you can help them stay focused and work their way towards achieving their goals.
20. Coaching
If you are good at a particular subject or area, you can also teach others at a fee. Thus it could be students, business people or employees. You stand a good chance of making money with this business idea anywhere in the world, especially Germany.
21. Cake making/decorating
People, clubs, organisations, clique of friends etc. are usually in need of cakes especially for special occasions and events. The making/decoration of cakes is indeed the business for this period. As a family, with members who are very good in this type of business, you can set up a cake making business that will be operated by members of the family.
22. Veterinary care
This career idea is hinged on the basis of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder and injury in non-human animals. The scope of veterinary medicine is wide, covering all animal species, both domesticated, and wild, with a wide range of conditions which can affect different species especially the pets.
23. Online trading
The world today is a global village, and it is now easy to trade online (i.e. buying and selling). A family can venture into this type of business and trade their stocks on offer to people on an online platform. Sites such as eBay and Amazon make it easy for people to dabble in e-commerce.
If you start to sell other goods, focus on things you can get hold of easily, or are passionate about. And have an eye on the Christmas market: think about what will be selling well in a few months’ time. This is also a business idea for families to dabble into.
24. Film Production Business
Every day block buster movies are being churned out and those who are the helms of affair when it comes to film production are doing all they can to see that great movies are produced. You too can join the bandwagon when you start a film production business. You do not need any qualification to join the train.
25. Graphic Design Business
If you are arts inclines and are looking for an arts related business to start, then you can look into the graphics design business. One of the good things about this business is that you can acquire the skills that is involved from the scratch and then expand on what you have learnt
26. Grocery Store Business
Groceries are amongst the basic things that American’s cannot do without. Therefore, starting a business in this line would be the right step in the right direction. Good news is that starting this business isn’t a herculean task. What is more, you can be sure to get good returns on your investment.
27. Gym Business
Fitness has always been a source of concern to Americans. This is because of the high rate of cancer that continues to ravage people. If you are a fitness and health enthusiast, then you can look towards starting a gym related business. You will need to have enough finance to equip your gym center.