Helping Freelancers in Germany Fight Red Tape with Kathleen Parker
Wed Oct 08 2025
Like the show? Have a burning question? Send a text?
From opera singer to bureaucracy expert, Kathleen Parker shares her unconventional story of building Red Tape Translation—a business she started by showing up at Berlin's immigration office at 7 AM and asking strangers if they needed help.
In this episode, she breaks down the real costs of freelancing in Germany (hint: multiply your employee salary by 2.5-3x), explains why the Künstlersozialkasse is a game-changer for creative professionals, and reveals what actually goes into getting a freelance visa.
If you've ever wondered whether your international client base will help you get residency, or why that €20/hour freelance rate won't cut it long-term, this conversation delivers honest answers.
Kathleen gets refreshingly candid about the messy reality of growing a business in Germany—from the steep learning curve of German employment law to surviving her first tax office encounter (complete with yelling and threats), to why she wouldn't change her slow-growth approach despite never getting rich.
Whether you're considering the move to Germany as a freelancer, already navigating the system, or wondering if you should convert from freelancer to UG, this episode is packed with practical wisdom from someone who's spent 15 years helping immigrants crack the code of German bureaucracy while building her own business alongside motherhood and an opera career.
You can find this episode and all episodes as well as show notes for each at https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/
Starting or running a business in Germany as a foreigner? Already running an online business in Germany as an expat? Wanting to grow your German-based business? Working as a freelancer in Germany? You'll love my guide with over 30 resources for expat business owners in Germany.
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Like the show? Have a burning question? Send a text? From opera singer to bureaucracy expert, Kathleen Parker shares her unconventional story of building Red Tape Translation—a business she started by showing up at Berlin's immigration office at 7 AM and asking strangers if they needed help. In this episode, she breaks down the real costs of freelancing in Germany (hint: multiply your employee salary by 2.5-3x), explains why the Künstlersozialkasse is a game-changer for creative professionals, and reveals what actually goes into getting a freelance visa. If you've ever wondered whether your international client base will help you get residency, or why that €20/hour freelance rate won't cut it long-term, this conversation delivers honest answers. Kathleen gets refreshingly candid about the messy reality of growing a business in Germany—from the steep learning curve of German employment law to surviving her first tax office encounter (complete with yelling and threats), to why she wouldn't change her slow-growth approach despite never getting rich. Whether you're considering the move to Germany as a freelancer, already navigating the system, or wondering if you should convert from freelancer to UG, this episode is packed with practical wisdom from someone who's spent 15 years helping immigrants crack the code of German bureaucracy while building her own business alongside motherhood and an opera career. You can find this episode and all episodes as well as show notes for each at https://thegermanylist.de/the-germany-expat-business-show-podcast/ Starting or running a business in Germany as a foreigner? Already running an online business in Germany as an expat? Wanting to grow your German-based business? Working as a freelancer in Germany? You'll love my guide with over 30 resources for expat business owners in Germany.