Economic collaboration vision outlined by Minister for Economic Affairs Tonne and President of the Lower Saxony Association of the Free Trades

In Lower Saxony, a significant portion of the self-employed and their employees contribute to the state's value creation, public services, and quality of life, particularly in rural areas. Approximately one-fifth of the self-employed and one-tenth of the employees are engaged in independent professions, a diverse group that includes doctors, lawyers, architects, naturopaths, physical therapists, and journalists, among others.

The Minister-President of Lower Saxony, Olaf Lies, who succeeded Stephan Weil in May 2025, has conceptualized a common vision for the overall system of independent professions in the state. This vision, directed at political decision-makers, aims to further strengthen the competitiveness, innovative power, and attractiveness of independent professions, especially with regard to the next generation.

The Minister of Economy, Transport, and Building, Grant Hendrik Tonne, and the President of the Association of Independent Professions in Lower Saxony (FBN e.V.), Robert Marlow, presented this joint vision. It emphasizes the independence, high qualification, responsibility, and public interest orientation of independent professions.

The provision of personal services from people to people forms the core of this vision, with trust and professional expertise being inseparable. Independent professions are considered indispensable for developing innovative and realistic solutions to contemporary societal issues such as digitization, sustainability, and rural development.

Politics should establish favorable framework conditions for independent professions, including self-administration, while chambers and associations should support their members in facing new challenges. The annual turnover of independent professions in Lower Saxony contributes significantly to the state's economy, although the exact figure for the number of self-employed independent professionals and their employees is not specified in the provided text.

Independent professions play a crucial role in shaping healthcare, climate protection, housing, age-appropriate living concepts, environmentally friendly mobility solutions, and the secure introduction of digital tools in companies. However, the specific role of independent professions in these areas is not elaborated upon in this paragraph.

Robert Marlow, President of FBN, underscores the importance of trust and high professional qualification in the delivery of personal services by independent professions. Grant Hendrik Tonne, Minister of Economy, stated that independent professions actively contribute to solving central societal challenges such as healthcare, climate protection, housing, age-appropriate living concepts, environmentally friendly mobility solutions, and the secure introduction of digital tools in companies.

The vision for independent professions in Lower Saxony, as stated in § 18 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 Satz 2 EStG, remains the same. It highlights the provision of personal services from people to people, where trust and professional expertise are inseparable. The vision serves as an appeal to all independent professionals and their organizations to live by and actively represent the formulated principles.

On a national level, there are approximately 1.47 million self-employed independent professionals in Germany, employing around 4.65 million people, and generating an annual turnover of 513 billion euros. The importance of independent professions extends beyond Lower Saxony, playing a significant role in the country's economy and society as a whole.

Economic collaboration vision outlined by Minister for Economic Affairs Tonne and President of the Lower Saxony Association of the Free Trades