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Local Germany
5 days ago
- Business
- Local Germany
'System feels unfair': The struggle of getting German citizenship as a freelancer
Kathryn, an American citizen who works as a freelancer, moved to Germany more than 15 years ago. Since then, she's faced years of bureaucratic challenges: paying for tax audits and lawyers, receiving incomplete or unhelpful information from immigration authorities and navigating a system that feels stacked against her. Staying in Germany as a freelancer, she said, has never been easy – or cheap. Now, she's beginning her application for German citizenship, a process that's proving to be just as burdensome. Marcelo, a freelance artist from Brazil, has faced similar challenges. After living in Germany for seven years, Marcelo began the process of applying for German citizenship in October last year and has been going back and forth with the immigration authorities ever since. 'I would say that there is quite a discriminatory practice between freelancers and people who have a regular nine-to-five job,' Marcelo said. Both Kathryn and Marcelo have asked to be identified only by their first names because they are still in the process of applying for citizenship. Working as a freelancer does not disqualify you from becoming a German citizen, but as Kathryn and Marcelo have both found, it can make the process slower, more expensive and more confusing. Advertisement Freiberufler visa makes freelance work possible for expats The Freiberufler visa allows non-EU citizens to be self-employed or work as freelancers in Germany for three years at a time. It's an attractive option for many foreign residents, as the visa offers a way to work in Germany without a full-time employment contract. To receive this visa, applicants must show letters of intent from clients and evidence they can support themselves financially. READ ALSO: The compete guide to getting a freelance visa in Germany As a reminder to become a German citizen, all applicants are generally required to have been living in Germany for at least five years, have a long-term residence permit or permanent right of residence, pass a citizenship test and speak German at a B1 level. But for foreign freelancers who hope to one day become naturalised, it's important to understand how working as a freelancer can complicate the process of attaining citizenship. Advertisement Additional paperwork, additional expenses Because most freelancers have several employers, rather than just one, documenting taxes and income can get complicated. Freelancers applying for citizenship in Berlin must submit a Prüfungsbericht , or an audit report conducted by a tax professional, according to the ServicePortal Berlin website . Freelancers must also submit their last Steuerbescheid , or tax assessment, and a tax clearance certificate, or Steuerunbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung. In contrast employees with salaried jobs need only to submit their employment contract, their last six months of salary statements and a statement from their employer concerning the duration of the employment, the ServicePortal website says. German immigration authorities can be quite meticulous when reviewing freelancers' financial documents, and even minor discrepancies between invoices and bank statements can raise red flags. In the more than 15 years Kathryn has spent as a freelancer, she said she's run into all kinds of issues reporting her taxes and income. As an example she once received a €23 refund on a Deutsche Bahn ticket. When she later submitted a bank statement that included that refund, the clerk reviewing her documents accused her of receiving compensation for unreported freelance work with Deutsche Bahn. Advertisement Citizenship comes at a cost Another challenge freelancers face when applying for citizenship is the heavy cost burden. Just getting a Prüfungsbericht can sometimes cost upwards of €1,000. Over the course of the application process, Marcelo has already paid around €2,000 for lawyers and tax professionals, as well as for official translations of documents. 'I had to ask for help from my parents, because I couldn't do it myself,' Marcelo said. 'So I do feel like it's something that is quite prohibitive.' Kathryn estimated she'd spent between €5,000 and €10,000 annually on freelance-related expenses since moving to Germany. That includes lawyers, tax professionals, document translations and insurance, not to mention all the hours of income she's lost. 'Honestly, it's not felt worth it. I mean, I kept fighting for it. I kept staying here,' she said. 'But I would say altogether, it has not been worth it.' Freelancers say German bureaucracy isn't made for them A lack of transparency and clarity from immigration authorities is another complaint foreign freelancers have voiced. Kathryn said she has never been told exactly how much money she needs to make in order to prove she can support herself. Even though options like the Freiberufler visa make freelancing a viable path for international residents, some freelancers still say the system doesn't feel like it's set up for them. 'German society is not really geared towards being a freelancer,' Marcelo said. 'You are supposed to be here really in a like nine-to-five job contract…that's what they want.' READ ALSO: Five hard truths about starting out as a freelancer in Germany Kathryn said she and her husband, a German national who also freelances, have considered leaving Germany altogether because of these bureaucratic challenges. Kathryn has looked into relocating to countries including the Netherlands, New Zealand and Senegal – all of which were friendlier to freelancers than Germany is, she said. 'Why is it so hard here?' Kathryn said. 'I just find there's not a lot of clarity here.' Have you had similar experiences applying for German citizenship as a freelancer. We want to hear from you. Share your story in the comments section or email us at news@
Hans India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Driving Digital Transformation: The Exceptional Journey of Upender Reddy Chityala, Senior Software Developer at Equinox IT Solutions LLC
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, some individuals stand out not merely for their technical acumen but for the depth and impact of their contributions. One such figure is Upender Reddy Chityala, a seasoned Senior Software Developer at Equinox IT Solutions LLC, Dallas, Texas. With nearly a decade of experience in delivering high-impact software solutions, Upender's work has touched multiple industries, empowered organizations, and pushed the boundaries of what technology can achieve. From Hyderabad to the Heart of Tech Innovation Upender began his academic journey at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering. Eager to refine his expertise, he pursued a Master of Science in Software Engineering at Fairfield University, USA—equipping him with both a global perspective and a deep understanding of emerging technologies. Building Tomorrow's Solutions, Today Since 2015, Upender has consistently delivered excellence across a variety of high-stakes projects. Whether working with Cisco Systems, the US Department of Labor, Worley Limited, or Intercontinental Hotel Groups (IHG), his influence has been profound. At Cisco Systems , Upender was part of mission-critical initiatives, driving complex DevOps integrations and earning the coveted title of DevOps Developer Extraordinaire —a testament to his ability to blend innovation with execution. For the U.S. Department of Labor , his work fortified government software infrastructure, ensuring regulatory compliance and optimizing service delivery. While collaborating with Worley Limited , a global engineering leader, Upender built scalable tools that directly supported large-scale project management and engineering services. At IHG, his contributions led to customer-facing software innovations, enhancing both guest experiences and backend efficiency. Mastering the ServiceNow Ecosystem One of Upender's defining strengths is his mastery of the ServiceNow platform—a backbone for IT operations in many Fortune 500 companies. From Service Portal and Discovery to ITOM, ITSM, SAM, and Integration Hub, his expertise has allowed clients to automate workflows, strengthen data integrity, and unlock real-time insights through Performance Analytics. He holds a suite of ServiceNow certifications, including: Certified System Administrator Certified Application Developer Micro-Certifications in areas such as CMDB Health, Flow Designer, Automated Test Framework, and more. Additionally, Upender's ITIL V3 Foundation and Cisco Security Ninja White Belt certifications further bolster his holistic view of software development, service management, and cybersecurity. Excellence Recognized and Delivered What sets Upender apart isn't just his technical skill—it's his problem-solving mindset and unwavering commitment to quality. With a proven track record of managing and executing multi-million-dollar software projects, he brings a rare combination of precision, vision, and leadership to every engagement. He is known not only for writing robust code but for architecting scalable systems that serve strategic business goals. His ability to collaborate across cross-functional teams, communicate complex ideas with clarity, and deliver under pressure has made him an indispensable part of the Equinox team and a trusted partner for clients. Shaping the Future of Software As businesses increasingly rely on digital transformation to remain competitive, professionals like Upender Reddy Chityala are the catalysts making it possible. His career is a shining example of how thoughtful engineering, continuous learning, and a drive for innovation can collectively deliver extraordinary value. Whether optimising IT infrastructure or driving next-gen user experiences, Upender continues to shape the future of enterprise software—one solution at a time.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- General
- Indian Express
ICSE board exam result to be declared today
The results of ICSE (Class 10) and ISC (Class 12) exams held in February-March 2025 will be declared at 11 am on Wednesday. This was announced by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE), which conducts the exams, on Tuesday evening. Students, parents, and schools can access the results online through CISCE's official websites – [ and [ – as well as via the Careers Portal and DigiLocker. Schools can access the Tabulation Register and comparison tables using the Careers Portal, which requires the Principal's login credentials. Whereas, to view results, candidates must select their course (ICSE or ISC), and input their Unique ID, Index Number, and CAPTCHA code. Printable results will also be available directly from the website. CISCE has also announced that candidates will get to opt for recheck module. But students have to apply for it within three days (April 30 to May 4, 2025). Requests can be submitted through the CISCE Service Portal or via the Careers Portal for schools. Following the release of recheck results, students can opt for re-evaluation of specific papers. CISCE will conduct an Improvement Examination in July 2025, allowing candidates to reappear in up to two subjects. Further details regarding the improvement exam will be released on the council's website soon.
