If you work as a contractor, but have to be treated as an employee in your contractual relationship, you may be a dependent employee or pseudo-self-employed. In this case, you are subject to social security contributions.
If you or your clients are unsure whether your work is dependent employment or self-employment, you can have your status under social insurance law checked at the so-called clearing office of the German Pension Insurance Association.
The status determination procedure provides you with legal certainty as to whether you are self-employed or employed. You can apply for status determination both as a contractor and as a client.