You are welcome! Guide

Visa for artists

Foreigners, who plan to stay in Germany for more than three month or who want to work here are generally required to have a visa, except for citizens of the other EU-countries, EEA-countries (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein), and Switzerland. Apply for a long-term visa

Social insurance for artists (KSK)

The social insurance for artists (Künstlersozialversicherung) of the social security benefits office for artists (KSK) grants artists an insurance for old-age pensions, health and nursing care. Requirements

Tax office and taxes

Most occupations in the arts are considered as self-employment. In Germany self-employed individuals are obliged to pay income taxes and need to submit an annual tax declaration. Registration at the tax office

Social security

Self-employed artists, with an income below poverty level, are eligible for social security benefits. In Germany the benefits are called ‘Arbeitslosengeld II (Alg II)‘, also referred to as ‘Hartz IV’. Apply at the Jobcenter

Funding opportunities

Artists living in Berlin are eligible to apply for country-wide scholarships as well as for programmes of the Berlin’s cultural affairs department (‘Berliner Senatskanzlei - Kulturelle Angelegenheiten´) or programs initiated by the districts of Berlin.

The Berlin Studio Program

In cooperation with the Senate of Berlin and other partners the bbk berlin developed a special studio program for the allocation of subsidised, rental controlled and occupancy bound studios and studio flats.

Workshops for professional artists

The kulturwerk of the bbk berlin supports the arts by providing an infrastructure for artistic production. It maintains three workshops: a statuary workshop, a print workshop and a media workshop.

Professionalization Program

The bildungswerk of bbk berlin dedicates its offer to visual artists. With seminars, workshops and coaching it provides professional skills and knowledge to improve the artistic work itself and the professional conditions.

Exhibition opportunities

Art associations / Communal galleries / Project Spaces / Galleries

Artist-in-Residence

DAAD / The Bethanien / District / Glogauair ...

for international visual artists in Berlin