Apply for a Travelling Trade License

If you do not have a commercial establishment or if you want to offer goods for sale, services or entertainment activities as a showman or showman-type business outside of this, then you must apply for a permit (traveling trade license).

Detailed description

You operate a traveling business and require a permit if you commercially operate outside your business premises or without having a business establishment, without prior order.

  • Offering goods for sale or soliciting or purchasing orders or
  • Offering services or soliciting orders for services.

This includes, in particular, activities such as:

  • Soliciting people at homes or businesses (door-to-door sales) without prior arrangement,
  • offering goods and services on the street or in public places,
  • entertaining activities as showmen or in the style of showmen (fairground-typical businesses).

The prerequisite for granting the permit (traveling trader's license) is the personal reliability of the applicant, specifically with regard to the intended itinerant trade activity.


For the operation of licensed trades (including security guards, real estate agents, property developers, construction supervisors, investment advisors, insurance intermediaries, insurance consultants) in the traveling trade, additional requirements are imposed in accordance with the requirements for stationary trades.


Any expansion of business activities or the goods and services offered requires a new permit and will be added to the existing itinerant trader's license upon request. The itinerant trader's license is valid nationwide.



If you employ staff, they will need a duplicate or certified copy of your itinerant trader's license. The itinerant trader's license, or a copy or duplicate, must be carried with you while conducting your business.



Itinerant trader activity without a traveling trader's license


For some itinerant trade activities, you do not need a itinerant trader's license. This applies, for example, to:


  • the distribution of food or other everyday goods, if these are sold from non-stationary, i.e. mobile, sales outlets at the same location at regular short intervals,
  • The offering of printed materials for sale on the street (mobile newspaper sales)

However, these activities are subject to the other regulations for itinerant trade (e.g. the notification requirement), unless otherwise specified therein.

 

Information

Prerequisites

Operating a traveling business requires a permit (traveling trader's license). Personal reliability is essential. Reliability is verified using various documents. The applicant must provide an extract from the Federal Central Register (certificate of good conduct) and an extract from the Trade Register. The responsible authority will apply for both on behalf of the applicant upon reimbursement of costs (13 EUR each).

Documents required

• Personal identification document: Identity card or other official identification document with photo (not required for electronic applications). Or residence permit if the applicant is not a national of an EU country.


• Certificate of good conduct for submission to an authority. The certificate of good conduct will be applied for by the responsible authority on behalf of the applicant against reimbursement of costs (13 EUR each).


• Extract from the Central Business Register for submission to an authority. The extract from the Central Business Register will be requested by the responsible authority on behalf of the applicant against reimbursement of costs (EUR 13 each).


• Tax clearance certificate


• Current extract from the commercial or association register. Registered companies should submit a current extract from the register with their application. Legal entities in the process of being established (GmbH, AG) should submit their articles of association or bylaws.


• If applicable, a certificate from the public health department confirming instruction according to the Infection Protection Act. This is only required under the Infection Protection Act when producing, processing, or distributing food.

Please note

A traveling trader's license is generally applied for at the main residence and is then valid nationwide in accordance with the trade regulations.



As the holder of a traveling trader's license, you are required to carry it with you while conducting business.



The itinerant trader's license must already have been issued before commencing the relevant activity. If public streets, roads, and squares are to be used in the course of the itinerant trade, a special use permit is required (see "Special Uses, Permit" under "Links" in the authority finder). This must be applied for at the Center for Economic Affairs, Construction, and the Environment of the responsible district office.



Anyone operating a traveling business is generally required to keep a VAT record book (see "VAT record book" under "Links" in the authority finder).

Deadlines

The travel trade card must already be available when starting the activity.

Procedure

  • You submit all required documents together with the written application to your responsible district office - department for consumer protection, trade and environment.
  • The Consumer Protection, Trade and Environment Department will review your application.
  • If all requirements are met, you will receive the permit.

Processing time

4-6 weeks.

Fees

180 EUR to 280 EUR - payable upon application.


Duplicate itinerant trader's license: 40 EUR


Changes: 40 EUR - 80 EUR


Certificate of good conduct and extract from the central business register each cost 13 EUR

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Section 55 of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO)


Section 55a of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO)


Fee schedule for the economic administration

Forms and downloads

Related services

Links on hamburg.de

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Last updated: 10.09.2026