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    German Side Consulting: Keep Your Job, Build Your Business

    9 min
    |
    6 sources
    |
    Oct 4, 2025
    BusinessEntrepreneurshipFinance

    Discover how Germany's legal framework lets you start a profitable consulting business while keeping your full-time job. Learn the 20-hour rule, tax strategies, and practical steps to build both security and entrepreneurial growth.

    German Side Consulting: Keep Your Job, Build Your Business

    This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member

    Input question

    How to start my business as consultant in Germany beside having a full time job I love.

    Host voices
    Niaplay
    Eliplay
    Knowledge sources
    Self-employed and employed in Germany (2025 guide): taxes, insurance & step-by-step checklist
    link
    https://norman.finance/blog/selbststaendig-und-angestellt
    Freiberufliche Nebentatigkeit | Infos fur Freiberufler 2024
    link
    https://www-erfolg--als--freiberufler-de.translate.goog/freiberufliche-nebentaetigkeit/?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc
    How to Set Up a Legal Entity for an Independent Consultant - Umbrex
    link
    https://umbrex.com/resources/how-to-set-up-a-legal-entity-for-an-independent-consultant/how-to-set-up-a-legal-entity-for-an-independent-consultant-in-germany/
    Nebenberufliche Selbststandigkeit
    link
    https://www.ihk.de/aachen/gruendung/gruendung/nebenberufliche-selbststaendigkeit-607256
    The Consulting Bible
    The Consultant’s Handbook

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    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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    "I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

    @Chloe, Solo founder, LA
    platform
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    likes
    117

    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

    @Raaaaaachelw
    platform
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    star
    star
    star
    star

    "Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

    @Matt, YC alum
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    comments
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    108

    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
    platform
    comments
    254
    likes
    17

    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
    platform
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    star
    star
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    "BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

    @Pitiful
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    "It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

    @OojasSalunke
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
    platform
    comments
    37
    likes
    483

    "Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

    @Cashflowbubu
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

    @Moemenn
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

    @Chloe, Solo founder, LA
    platform
    comments
    12
    likes
    117

    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

    @Raaaaaachelw
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

    @Matt, YC alum
    platform
    comments
    12
    likes
    108

    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
    platform
    comments
    254
    likes
    17

    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

    @Pitiful
    platform
    comments
    96
    likes
    4.5K

    "BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

    @SofiaP
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

    @Jaded_Falcon
    platform
    comments
    201
    thumbsUp
    16

    "It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

    @OojasSalunke
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
    platform
    comments
    37
    likes
    483

    "Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

    @Cashflowbubu
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
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    Learn Anything, Personalized

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    Featured book summaries
    Crucial ConversationsThe Perfect MarriageInto the WildNever Split the DifferenceAttachedGood to GreatSay Nothing
    Trending categories
    Self HelpCommunication SkillRelationshipMindfulnessPhilosophyInspirationProductivity
    Celebrities' reading list
    Elon MuskCharlie KirkBill GatesSteve JobsAndrew HubermanJoe RoganJordan Peterson
    Award winning collection
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    Featured Topics
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    Best books by Year
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    Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGeorge OrwellO. J. SimpsonBarbara O'NeillWinston ChurchillCharlie Kirk
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    Key Takeaways

    1

    Opening & Welcome

    0:00

    Nia: Hey everyone, welcome back! This is your personalized podcast from BeFreed, and wow, do we have an exciting conversation lined up for you today. I'm Nia, and I'm here with my co-host Eli, and we're absolutely thrilled to dive into something so many of our listeners are thinking about.

    0:16

    Eli: Absolutely, Nia! And you know what's fascinating? Today we're tackling one of those dreams that feels both exciting and terrifying at the same time-starting a consulting business in Germany while keeping that full-time job you actually love. It's like having your cake and eating it too, right?

    0:32

    Nia: Exactly! And I think what makes this so compelling is that it's not about escaping a job you hate-it's about expanding your potential while maintaining that security and satisfaction you already have.

    2

    Topic Introduction & Source Material Setup

    3

    The German Legal Framework & Getting Started

    4

    Setting Up Your Consulting Practice

    5

    Managing the Dual Income Reality

    6

    Building Your Consulting Foundation

    7

    Practical Implementation Strategies

    8

    Wrap-up & Closing Reflection

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