Freelance musicians in Germany – this is your chance

How do freelance musicians live and work in Germany? The study on freelance musicians in Germany MUSIK ZÄHLT wants to find out exactly that: Can you make a living from music? How much unpaid work goes into a music career? What costs do self-employed musicians bear – and what would need to change to make a long-term career in music possible? PRO MUSIK – the association of freelance music creators, together with its partners, is investigating the working and living reality of freelance music creators in Germany.

PRO MUSIK – and why we support it

PRO MUSIK advocates for the interests of self-employed musicians in Germany. You might have already noticed the name in another context: PRO MUSIK was, among other things, a presentation partner of our FLINTA* Music Force Showcase at the Reeperbahn Festival 2026. A partnership that shows we share similar values through fair conditions, more visibility, and sustainable structures for independent artists.

Now PRO MUSIK is launching the MUSIK ZÄHLT study. Because for conditions to improve for you as a musician, it first needs to become visible what these conditions actually look like. And for that, one thing is needed above all: as many musicians as possible telling their own stories. Like you! So we would be very happy if you would take part in the survey.

What is the MUSIK ZÄHLT study?

MUSIK ZÄHLT is a study on the working and living situation of freelance music creators in Germany. It aims to make visible the economic and structural conditions under which musicians like you work today.

This includes, among other things: How is your income as a freelance musician composed? How much work around your own music remains unpaid? What costs and financial risks do you bear as an artist yourself? What structural hurdles do you encounter in your daily professional life? And where do you see a need for change?

The goal is to create the broadest and most reliable database possible, which can then flow into work with politicians, funding bodies, and other decision-makers who still know far too little about the reality of an artist. That needs to change.

Why is data on freelance musicians in Germany needed?

Anyone who releases music themselves knows: being a professional musician today involves much more than writing songs, recording, or playing concerts.

Releases have to be planned, social media channels maintained, promo organized, funding applications written, statements checked, invoices issued, and the next concert prepared. A large part of your work happens behind the scenes, and not every hour of work ends up on an invoice.

However, the economic reality of freelance music creators can only be assessed if there is sufficient data. This is exactly where MUSIK ZÄHLT comes in.

Why should you as a musician take part in MUSIK ZÄHLT?

Quite simply: Because your experience counts.

The more freelance music creators participate in the survey, the more accurately the diversity of the music scene can be represented. Different genres, regions, fields of activity, career phases, and employment models are all part of it.

The study offers you the opportunity to show what your daily professional life actually looks like: What works well? Where do you repeatedly hit limits? What work remains invisible? What support is missing? And what would need to change?

Ultimately, the debate about conditions in the music industry should not just be about musicians, but with them.

Who can participate in the MUSIK ZÄHLT study?

The survey is aimed at freelance music creators in Germany. Crucial to the study’s significance is that as many different people as possible from the music scene participate and contribute their respective working and living realities.

Because there is no single musician career – and accordingly, an investigation of the industry should also take as many different perspectives as possible into account.

When does MUSIK ZÄHLT start – and how can you take part?

The MUSIK ZÄHLT survey starts on October 5 and ends six weeks later, on November 16, 2026. You should set aside about ten minutes for it. Here you can ask Louisa or Mario from PRO MUSIK your questions, if you have any.

If you are a freelance musician yourself, take the time and join in. And if you know other music creators for whom the study is relevant: send them the link, share the call, or tell them about it.

Because the more musicians contribute their experiences, the better we can show the conditions under which freelance music is actually created today.

Music counts. And the people who make it do, too.