touring artists supports artists, creatives and culture professionals who were forced to leave their home countries due to the political situation. We offer orientation in the German cultural landscape and especially in the Berlin cultural scene.
We explain the legal framework for artistic practice in Germany as well as the necessary prerequisites to work here as an artist or creative – especially for artists from countries outside of the EU. We guide you through administration in Germany and help to find the competent contact. Our aim is to facilitate the continuation of your artistic or creative work in Germany.
touring artists advises applicants for the Weltoffenes Berlin program of the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion and supports the funded fellows with workshops and networking opportunities.

These texts on our webpage provide information on various topics relevant to artists and cultural workers who are new to Germany.

• Moving to Germany - How do I get a residence title for freelance work and what do I have to consider after arriving in Germany?
• As Non-EU-citizen within the EU - As a non-EU citizen, can I travel to other EU countries for a guest performance or a show?
• Grainful activity in Germany - Self-employment and employment: What are the differences?
• Access to the German labour market - What activities am I allowed to pursue with my residence title?
• Social insurance in Germany - How does social security work in Germany? What is the KSK?
• The basics of VAT in Germany - What exactly is turnover tax/VAT? What is a "Kleinunternehmer:in"?
• "Bundesreisekostengesetz" - What is the Federal Travel Expenses Act? What flat rates may I charge for domestic and international travel?
• Copyright - How does copyright work in Germany?
• Cultural promotion in Germany - How does cultural promotion work in Germany?
• Tips for submitting an application - What should I look out for when applying for project funding?
• Germany's cultural scene - How are the different cultural scenes in Germany structured? How are they networked?
• Contacts for newly arrived artists and creatives in Germany

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The webpage All About Berlin by Nicolas Bouliane provides information on various administrative topics for those who are new to the city (and to Germany) - "a website that makes German bureaucracy less scary". Some of the information has been checked by team members of touring artists. And we generally assume that the information on All About Berlin has been carefully checked.
Some articles:

• How to find a job in Berlin?
• How to join the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK)?
• How to do your Gewerbeanmeldung in Berlin?
• How banking works in Germany?
  and many more

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touring artists also offers counselling for artists from countries in crisis who are new to Germany. The topics we cover are: 

• Setting up a business (introductions to questions about taxes and the artists' social insurance fund) 
• Visa and residence (How do I get a visa as a freelance artist? What do I have to do to get my residence permit extended? Can I take on a part-time job as an employee?) 
• Introduction to the cultural landscape in Germany (What are the basic funding structures? Which organisation can help/advise me on which topic?)

A consultation appointment can be arranged via the contact form. 

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Our event series MONTHLY MEET-UP took place until 2024 as a monthly network meeting for transnational artists in Berlin, that are new to Berlin and try to get a foothold here. From 2025, we are planning new event formats, which we will inform you about via social media, our newsletter and our event page. Our MEET-UP will continue to offer artists and creatives the opportunity

• to get advice on administrative questions relevant for the artistic work in Berlin (such as tax number, KSK (social security fund for artists) or visa issues),
• to meet members of Berlin’s art institutions and get to know their work,
• to meet fellow artists and support each other.

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