A Comprehensive Guide to Long-term Residency in Germany
Country Profile:
Germany is situated in Central and Western Europe and ranks fourth in economic output globally. It is a country rich in cultural and historical resources, with a highly developed and diversified economy.
Germany is also the second largest destination for immigrants, next only to the United States.
Capital: Berlin
Population: 84,607,016 (2023, 19th)
Ethnic groups: German 86.3% , Turkish 1.8%, Polish 1%, Syrian 1%, Romanian 1%
Area: 357,600 km2 (63rd)
Offical Language: German
Currency: Euro
GDP per Captial: $67,245 (2024 estimated, 18th)
How To Become A Resident In Germany:
Non-EU individuals wishing to reside long-term in Germany must initially apply for a short-term residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis).
Eligible short-term residence visas for legal migration to Germany include visas for refugees, family reunification, students, and workers.
Work visa is the primary route for migration to Germany and encompasses:
1. Work visa for qualified professionals are available to individuals who have at least a university degree and are employed by German companies;
2. The EU Blue Card for those with a university degree or equivalent professional experience who meet certain salary criteria;
3. Visa for professionally experienced workers are available to individuals who have completed professional training, possess extensive work experience, and secure a job in Germany with an annual salary of at least €40,770.;
4. Job search opportunity card for individuals with a German university degree or equivalent, who score 6 points on a specific grading table and meet certain language proficiency levels. These visas last either 6 or 18 months, after which you must leave Germany if not converted into a work visa;
5. Self-employment visa for freelancers or entrepreneurs starting businesses locally;
6. Specialized professional work visas tailored for researchers, healthcare workers, IT professionals, language teachers, professional drivers, artists, athletes and coaches, and those in the esports industry.
Spouses and children under 18 of the main applicant can also settle in Germany as dependents.
Most German short-term residence permits are valid from 1 to 4 years and can be renewed indefinitely under the same conditions.
Foreigners can apply for permanent residency (Niederlassungserlaubnis) after legally residing in Germany for five years, provided they have adequate financial resources, have paid taxes for 60 consecutive months, and have no criminal record.
Foreigners may qualify for permanent residency in less than five years under specific conditions:
1. German university graduates working under a work visa can apply after two years;
2. Self-employment visa holders can apply after three years in Germany;
3. Holders of a work visa for qualified professionals can apply after four years;
4. EU Blue Card holders can apply after 21 months with German B1 proficiency or 27 months with A1;
5. Highly skilled professionals can almost immediately apply for permanent residency.
Permanent residency may be revoked if an individual exits Germany for more than six months at a time.
Foreigners can apply for naturalization after legally residing in Germany for eight years, or seven years if they pass an integration test, along with meeting other basic conditions.
Job search opportunity card:
What is a Germany job search opportunity card?
Since August 2012, the German government has introduced the Job Search Opportunity Card, a visa program targeting high-quality international talents without employment contracts from German employers. This program is designed to attract these talents to Germany, allowing them to participate in local interviews and secure employment.
The visa is valid for six months to 18 months and is non-renewable, nor does it facilitate family reunification. Holders may attend local interviews and engage in trial periods at each interviewing company for up to two weeks, or participate in part-time work for no more than 20 hours per week.
If the holder cannot convert this visa into a work visa by the time it expires, they must leave Germany.
Who is eligible for a Germany job search opportunity card
If you want to apply for a German job search visa, you must first be a non-EU national and meet one of the following two options:
Option One:
You have a university degree or professional certification recognized by the German government;
If you are a graduate from a German institution, you can generally apply immediately for an 18-month job search visa;
Standard overseas applicants can typically obtain a visa with a validity period ranging from 6 to 12 months.
Additionally, if you are an overseas applicant, your work or educational background needs to be certified by ZAB.
Option Two:
You do not have the corresponding educational qualifications but have completed at least two years of vocational education, and your vocational education certificate is accredited by ZAB; your language skills must meet certain standards (German at least A1 level, or English at least B2 level).
For option two, you also need to score no less than 6 points on a multi-dimensional scoring table, which includes the following seven criteria:
1. Educational background: Maximum of 4 points for ZAB certification;
2. Qualification in a shortage occupation: If your formal qualification is in a shortage occupation, you will get one point. You can refer to the list of bottleneck professions in Germany;
3. Work experience: 2 points for proving more than 2 years of work experience in the past five years, 3 points for proving more than 5 years of work experience in the past seven years;
4. Language proficiency: 1 point for German A2, 2 points for B1, 3 points for B2, and 2 points for English at C1 level or higher;
5. Age: 2 points for being over 35 years old, 1 point for ages 35 to 40;
6. German living experience: 1 point for residing continuously in Germany for more than six months within the past five years;
7. If your spouse or partner meets the conditions for a opportunity card, you can receive 1 point.
Additionally, whether for option one or two, when applying for a opportunity card, you must demonstrate to the German government that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay. There are two ways to prove financial security for a job search visa:
Deposit a fixed monthly amount of €1,027 in a bank account for the duration of the visa;
Or, have a person legally residing in Germany provide a written guarantee for you.
How to apply for a Germany job search opportunity card?
To apply for a German Job Search Opportunity Card, you must gather all necessary documents and book an appointment for an in-person interview at a German consulate abroad.
Required documents include a valid passport, language proficiency certificates, educational credentials, proof of financial resources, and documentation of eligibility scores.
Typically, the visa processing time ranges from 2 to 3 weeks, and the fee is 75 euros.
Your likelihood of approval is higher if you are in a sector that is in high demand in Germany, such as engineering, manufacturing, or IT.
Upon receiving your visa and arriving in Germany, you must register your address at the local residents’ registration office and apply with the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) to convert your visa into a residence permit.
Work visa for qualified professionals:
Who is eligible for a Germany work visa for qualified professionals?
The requirements for the Germany Work Visa for Qualified Professionals are as follows:
1. You need to secure a job offer from a German employer. If you are 45 years old or older, the annual salary for this job must be at least €49,830, or you must prove that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself.
2. You must possess a vocational education of at least two years, recognized by the German government. Additionally, if you work in specialized fields such as healthcare, you must also hold a professional license valid in the EU region.
How to apply for a Germany work visa for qualified professionals?
To apply for a Germany Work Visa for Qualified Professionals, you must compile all required documents and arrange an in-person appointment at a German consulate overseas.
Required documents include a valid passport, a filled application form, an employment contract from your employer, and certificates of educational qualifications.
The visa fee is €75, and processing time ranges from several days to weeks.
Upon receiving your visa and arriving in Germany, you need to confirm your German address with the local residents’ registration office and apply at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) to convert your visa into a residence permit.
How long can I stay in Germany with a work visa for qualified professionals?
The Germany Work Visa for Qualified Professionals has a maximum validity of four years and can be renewed based on the original conditions.
With this visa, once you have legally resided in Germany for three years and fulfilled additional requirements, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency locally.
Visa for professionally experienced workers:
Who is eligible for a Germany visa for professionally experienced workers?
The Germany Visa for Professionally Experienced Workers is designed to alleviate labor shortages in Germany. Applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
1. Have a minimum of two years of vocational education experience recognized by the German government, with qualifications certified by ZAB.
2. Obtain an employment contract from a German employer in a non-regulated profession (unlike regulated professions such as lawyers, teachers, doctors, and nurses) and possess at least two years of work experience within the last five years.
3. The employment contract must provide an annual salary of at least €40,770.
4. The Federal Employment Agency (BA) in Germany will review the job position for which you are applying. Visa issuance is contingent upon their approval.
How to apply for a Germany visa for professionally experienced workers?
To apply for the Germany Visa for Professionally Experienced Workers, you must gather all required documents and book an in-person interview at a German consulate abroad.
Required documents for the application include a valid passport, certificates of educational qualifications, an employment contract, a filled-out application form, and your personal resume.
The typical processing time for this visa is between 2 to 3 weeks, and the fee is 75 euros.
Once you have received your visa and arrived in Germany, you will need to confirm your address with the residents’ registration office and apply at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) to convert your visa into a residence permit.
Visa duration:
The Germany Visa for Professionally Experienced Workers is typically valid for the length of your employment contract and can be renewed continuously under the same conditions.
Foreign nationals with this visa are eligible to apply for permanent residency in Germany after legally residing there for five years.
EU Blue Card:
What is EU Blue Card?
EU Blue Card is a work permit endorsed and issued by 25 European countries for highly skilled professionals. This prominent skilled migration pathway in Europe provides cardholders with rights akin to those of citizens, including education, healthcare, and travel within the region.
You can settle in Germany long-term with an EU Blue Card issued by another country or apply for one within Germany.
If you are interested in the EU Blue Card, you can check out our comprehensive overview about the EU Blue Card.
Who is eligible for an EU Blue Card in Germany?
To apply for an EU Blue Card in Germany, you must satisfy the following criteria:
1. Possess a university degree or a professional certification that is recognized by Germany.
2. Secure a job contract in Germany that is closely related to your field of expertise, with a minimum annual salary of €45,300.
If you hold a postgraduate degree, have over three years of work experience, or are employed in one of Germany’s bottleneck industries, the minimum salary requirement is reduced to €41,041.8.
You can find more information about Germany’s bottleneck industries here.
How to apply for an EU Blue Card in Germany?
To apply for a German EU Blue Card, you must gather all required documents and book an in-person interview either with the German Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde) or at a German consulate abroad.
Required documents include a valid passport, employment contract, educational credentials, a filled-out application form, your resume, and proof of work experience.
The visa fee is €75.
After obtaining your EU Blue Card and arriving in Germany, you must register your address at the local residents’ registration office and apply at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) to convert your visa into a residence permit.
Self-Employment Visa:
Who is eligible for a Germany Self-employment visa?
The German self-employment visa is divided into two categories: the entrepreneur (setting up a business) option and the freelancer option.
For the entrepreneur option, you are required to:
1. Start a company locally that will contribute positively to the German economy;
2. Ensure your products or services meet the needs of at least one specific region in Germany;
3. Have adequate personal or external funding to support your business operations.
Typically, unless supported by an exceptionally robust business plan, a recommended investment of over 350,000 euros is advised for this option.
Additionally, it is preferable that your company operates successfully for more than five years after obtaining the visa.
The freelancer option demands that you have the financial means to support your business activities and obtain relevant certifications for your profession.
You must prove that your profession is advantageous to Germany and that there is genuine interest from German clients in your services.
For both options, applicants over the age of 45 must demonstrate sufficient retirement funds, either through a monthly pension of 1,332.36 euros for the next 12 years or total assets of at least 194,631 euros.
How to apply for a Germany self-employment visa?
The application for a German self-employment visa involves two stages: applying for a D-type entry visa and applying for a self-employment residence card:
1. Applying for the Entry Visa: Applicants must book an appointment with the German consulate to apply for a national (D-type) visa for working or freelancing. This visa application requires an in-person interview where all necessary documents must be submitted, and a visa fee of 75 euros paid.
For the entrepreneur option, required documents include: a completed application form, a valid passport, two recent passport-sized photos, a business plan, proof of health insurance, your resume or proof of work experience, and proof of pension insurance (if applicable).
For the freelancer option, typical documents required are: a passport, two recent passport-sized photos, an application form, an income statement, a personal resume, medical insurance, proof of pension (if needed), educational certificates, professional qualification certificates, and a personal business plan.
The processing time for this short-term visa can range from several weeks to three months.
2. Applying for the Residence Card: After obtaining the short-term visa, you can travel to Germany, secure accommodation, register for a tax number, acquire health insurance, prepare necessary documents, potentially register a business, and importantly, identify potential clients to support your visa application.
After these steps, you can book an in-person interview at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde), pay a processing fee of 100 euros, and await the final decision on your visa.
The processing period can vary from one month to twelve months, depending on the region in Germany.
Passport Power:
Germany recognizes dual citizenship, and its passport is ranked 1st globally. Passport holders have free access (either visa-free or visa-on-arrival) to 194 countries and regions globally (May 13, 2024).
Useful Links:
ZAB：https://zab.kmk.org/en/dab
Make it in Germany: https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en