Visas for Germany

Expats will need to get their paperwork in order and make sure they have the proper visa for Germany before relocating.

As a member of the European Union, Germany permits citizens of other EU states to enter with nothing but their passports and entitles them to live and work in Germany without a visa. Once there, they will still need to get a residency permit.

Non-EU citizens travelling to Germany for a short stay may need to apply for a Schengen visa, which usually takes about two weeks. Non-EU expats planning to live or work in the country must get the necessary work or residency permit.

For more information on visas for Germany, visit the Federal Foreign Office’s Consular Services Portal.

Tourist visas for Germany

Germany is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement, so nationals of other Schengen countries won’t need to apply for a tourist visa before they arrive. Their passports are stamped upon arrival, and they can stay for 90 days.

In addition to the Schengen countries, citizens of the UK, the US, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand can stay in Germany for 90 days or less without a visa.

Schengen visas for Germany

Most non-EU citizens must apply for a tourist visa at a German embassy or consulate ahead of time. It’s best to apply well in advance – you can submit the application up to three months before your planned departure date.

Schengen visa holders can visit other Schengen states. If they plan on travelling to other countries, they should apply at the consulate of the country they arrive in or the one they plan to spend most of their time in.

Schengen visa holders don’t have permission to work or conduct business in Germany and other member countries.

Business visas for Germany

If you want to travel to do business in Germany, you must apply for a business visa, which requires a formal invitation from a German company. You’ll also need to provide evidence of your visit, including the duration of your stay and a guarantee for any costs involved.

Even someone visiting the German office of their current employer would need a business visa.

Study visas for Germany

If you are already admitted to a German university or are looking to gain admission, you must apply for a study visa. The type of visa you apply for will depend on whether you have already gained admission or are in the application process.

If you have not yet gained admission, you must apply for a visa to apply for a course of study, which is valid for three months. Once you are admitted to a university or college, you can apply for a residence permit for study purposes.

Otherwise, you can apply for a visa for study purposes, which is usually valid for a year. You must also prove that you can support yourself while studying in Germany.

Residency permits for Germany

Applications for a residency permit (Aufaenhalt) must be made in person at a German embassy or consulate or through the immigration authorities in Germany. Since EU nationals have the right to live and work in Germany, getting a residency permit is simply a formality.

There are several types of residency permits for non-EU citizens who intend to work in Germany. There are residence permits for general employment (Arbeit), professionals with specialist skills, self-employed foreigners, highly skilled with qualifications in specified sectors (EU Blue Card) and IT professionals. In most cases, non-EU expats must have their residency permits approved before they arrive.

The EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is highly popular among expats as it allows them to enjoy similar rights and protections as German citizens and paves the way for permanent residency. In most cases, you must have a job offer with a contract valid for at least six months in one of the ‘bottleneck professions’ in Germany.

These include STEM and healthcare professions. Germany has recently eased salary requirements for the EU Blue Card, and expats applying for it are no longer limited to jobs directly related to their qualifications, making it an even more attractive choice for new arrivals.

Once your application is approved, you will be granted a limited or unlimited residency permit, depending on your country of origin and reasons for being in Germany. Permits attached to a fixed-term contract are granted for the same length of time as the contract states.

Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, and expats should contact their respective embassy or consulate for the latest details.