Employment-status assessment

Freelance Status Assessment

A structured review of one engagement, comparing the contract with working reality and setting out indicators of self-employment and dependent employment.

Who this assessment is for

This is the flagship review for a freelancer, commissioning company or small organisation that needs more than a general conversation. It suits a proposed engagement with substantial scope, an arrangement that has evolved over time, or a case where a formal status determination may be under consideration.

The result is a reasoned risk map—not a manufactured guarantee. German authorities and courts assess the overall picture, and individual indicators can carry different weight according to the occupation and facts.

What is included

  • Review of one contract and up to five relevant supporting documents
  • A factual questionnaire covering instructions, working time, place of work, team integration, substitution, equipment, remuneration and business risk
  • A 60-minute confidential video consultation
  • A written assessment identifying indicators in both directions
  • A practical list of missing evidence and points requiring specialist legal or tax advice
  • One round of factual corrections within seven days

The review does not include representation before Deutsche Rentenversicherung, tax calculations, payroll correction, litigation, or drafting a replacement contract. Where those steps appear necessary, we explain what kind of regulated adviser to approach.

How the review works

1. Scope confirmation

You send a brief outline without confidential attachments. We confirm whether one engagement can be assessed within the standard scope and issue the engagement terms.

2. Evidence gathering

After booking, you receive a focused questionnaire. Useful material may include the service agreement, statements of work, reporting arrangements, invoice examples and written guidance showing how tasks are assigned.

3. Consultation

We test the written record against daily practice. A clause permitting substitution, for example, means little if personal performance is always required in reality. Likewise, use of client systems is considered in occupational context rather than treated as decisive on its own.

4. Written findings

The report groups facts under recognised assessment themes and avoids a simplistic points score. It records assumptions, uncertainties and the next sensible action.

Preparation and boundaries

Remove unrelated personal data from documents wherever possible. Do not send health records, passport copies or payroll files through the initial enquiry form. Materials may be supplied in English or German; extensive translation is quoted separately.

The assessment covers German freelance-versus-employment classification. It does not decide residence permits, labour-leasing permission, tax residence or professional licensing.

After the assessment

Some cases need no immediate escalation. Others justify contract advice from a German lawyer, payroll input from a tax adviser, or an application under section 7a SGB IV. You leave with a clear record of why that next step is proportionate.