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Germany

Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF); visas issued by the Federal Foreign Office (AuswÀrtiges Amt) via German missions abroad, residence titles by local AuslÀnderbehörden (foreigners' authorities)
✔ Most public universities charge no tuition, only small semester fees
✔ Opportunity Card lets qualified people job-hunt in Germany for one year
✔ Students may stay 18 months after graduating to find a job
✔ German graduates can get permanent residence after just 2 years working
✔ EU Blue Card holders can reach permanent residence in 21 months
✔ Visa applications are online now; processing often takes 4-6 weeks
Capital Berlin
Currency Euro (EUR)
Languages German (official); English widely spoken in international workplaces
Population ~83.5 million

Visitor visas

Schengen Visa (short stay)
Type C

Short-stay visa for tourism, business trips, or family visits to Germany and the entire Schengen area. Nationals of visa-exempt countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, etc.) do not need it for stays up to 90 days.

Fees
EUR 90 adults; EUR 45 children 6-11; free under 6 (fee raised from EUR 80 in June 2024)
Processing
15 calendar days standard; legally extendable up to 45 days in complex cases – apply 3-6 weeks ahead
Validity
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period; single or multiple entry
Who can apply: You can apply if you want to visit Germany for up to 90 days for tourism, business meetings, or to see family or friends. People from countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia do not need this visa for short visits.
Key requirements (6)
  • Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond planned departure
  • Travel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage valid across Schengen
  • Proof of accommodation and travel itinerary (bookings, invitation letter)
  • Proof of sufficient funds for the stay (roughly EUR 45-50 per day)
  • Evidence of intent to return: employment, studies, family or property ties in home country
  • Biometrics (fingerprints) at the German mission or external service provider (VFS/TLS)
How to apply — step by step
  1. Check on the Federal Foreign Office website whether your nationality needs a Schengen visa.
  2. Fill out the online application form on the VIDEX portal (videx.diplo.de).
  3. Book an appointment at the German embassy or its visa partner (VFS Global or TLScontact).
  4. Gather your passport, photo, travel insurance, bookings, and proof of money.
  5. Go to the appointment, give your fingerprints, and pay the EUR 90 fee.
  6. Wait about 15 days for the decision and collect your passport.
Path to PR: No – short stays only; cannot be converted to a residence permit in Germany

Official Site ↗

Study visas

Student Visa / Residence Permit for Studies
§16b AufenthG (national Type D visa)

For non-EU nationals admitted to a German university, Studienkolleg (foundation course), or preparatory language course. Converted to a study residence permit after arrival. A separate visa for seeking a study place (§17(2) AufenthG) exists for those without admission yet.

Fees
EUR 75 national visa; approx. EUR 100 for the residence permit issued in Germany
Processing
4-12 weeks; often 4-6 weeks in 2026 via the digital Consular Services Portal – apply as soon as admission arrives
Validity
Visa issued for up to 6 months; residence permit initially for 2 years, renewable for the duration of studies; students may work 140 full or 280 half days per year (up to 20h/week)
Who can apply: You can apply if a German university, foundation course (Studienkolleg), or preparatory language course has accepted you. You also need to show you have enough money to live on, usually in a special blocked bank account.
Key requirements (6)
  • Admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid) or conditional admission from a state-recognized German higher education institution
  • Proof of funds: blocked account (Sperrkonto) with EUR 11,904 for one year (EUR 992/month) in 2026, or scholarship/formal sponsor declaration (VerpflichtungserklĂ€rung)
  • Health insurance coverage valid in Germany
  • Recognized higher education entrance qualification (checked via anabin/uni-assist)
  • Language proficiency for the program (typically German B2-C1 or English B2/IELTS 6.5 for English-taught degrees)
  • Proof of visa fee payment and completed application via the Consular Services Portal
How to apply — step by step
  1. Apply to a German university (often through uni-assist) and get your admission letter.
  2. Open a blocked account (Sperrkonto) with about EUR 11,904 for your first year, or show a scholarship or sponsor.
  3. Fill out the online visa application on the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de).
  4. Book an appointment at the German embassy or consulate in your country.
  5. Bring your passport, admission letter, money proof, and health insurance, and pay the EUR 75 fee.
  6. After arriving in Germany, register your address and collect your residence permit at the local foreigners office (AuslÀnderbehörde).
Path to PR: Strong path: 18-month post-study jobseeker permit (§20(1) No. 1 AufenthG) after graduation; German graduates in skilled work qualify for a settlement permit after just 2 years (§18c(1) sentence 2)

Official Site ↗

Vocational Training Visa
§16a AufenthG

For non-EU nationals with a signed contract for qualified in-company or school-based vocational training (Ausbildung) in Germany – a major route into healthcare, trades, and technical occupations.

Fees
EUR 75 national visa; approx. EUR 100 residence permit in Germany
Processing
6-12 weeks depending on the mission; employer fast-track procedure (§81a AufenthG, EUR 411) available
Validity
For the duration of the training program (typically 2-3.5 years); a second job up to 20h/week is allowed; afterwards an 18-month job-search permit (§20(1) No. 3 AufenthG)
Who can apply: You can apply if a German company or vocational school has given you a signed contract for job training (called an Ausbildung), for example in nursing, electrical work, or hotel work. You usually need German at about B1 level.
Key requirements (6)
  • A specific in-company or school-based vocational training place in Germany (signed Ausbildungsvertrag)
  • German language skills, normally level B1 CEFR – unless the training institution has tested your German itself or a preparatory language course is part of the plan
  • Secure livelihood: for in-company training, a training salary of at least EUR 1,048 gross / EUR 822 net per month (2026) counts; shortfalls topped up via blocked account or declaration of commitment
  • For school-based training: at least EUR 959 net per month (2026) via blocked account, declaration of commitment, or scholarship
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Approval of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur fĂŒr Arbeit) for in-company training (handled internally during the visa procedure)
How to apply — step by step
  1. Find a training place in Germany and sign the training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag).
  2. Learn German to about level B1 and get a language certificate.
  3. Show you can pay for your life in Germany through your training salary, a blocked account, or a sponsor.
  4. Fill out the online visa application on the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de).
  5. Attend your appointment at the German embassy with your documents and pay the EUR 75 fee.
  6. After arrival, register your address and collect your residence permit at the local foreigners office (AuslÀnderbehörde).
Path to PR: Yes – graduates of German training programs in skilled employment can obtain a settlement permit after just 2 years of work with pension contributions

Official Site ↗

Work visas

Skilled Worker Visa (FachkrÀfte)
§18a / §18b AufenthG

Germany's core work visa for people with a recognized vocational qualification (§18a) or university degree (§18b) and a concrete job offer. Since the 2023 reform, holders may work in any qualified job, not only one matching their qualification.

Fees
EUR 75 national visa; approx. EUR 100 residence permit; optional employer-driven fast-track procedure (beschleunigtes FachkrÀfteverfahren, §81a AufenthG) EUR 411
Processing
6-12 weeks standard; roughly 3-4 weeks with the fast-track procedure via the local foreigners' authority
Validity
Residence permit issued for up to 4 years (or contract duration plus 3 months), renewable
Who can apply: You can apply if you have a job offer from a German employer and a completed university degree or job training that Germany recognizes. Since 2023 the job does not have to match your exact qualification, but it must be a skilled job, not simple helper work.
Key requirements (6)
  • Vocational qualification or university degree recognized as equivalent to a German qualification (recognition via anabin/ZAB or the Anerkennung procedure)
  • Concrete job offer or signed employment contract for a qualified position with a German employer (auxiliary/unskilled jobs do not qualify)
  • No general minimum salary, but first-time applicants aged 45+ need a gross annual salary of at least EUR 55,770 (2026; 55% of the pension assessment ceiling) or proof of adequate retirement provision
  • License to practice (e.g. Approbation for physicians) for regulated professions
  • Approval of the Federal Employment Agency (checks that pay and working conditions match those of domestic employees – no labor-market priority test)
  • Valid passport and health insurance
How to apply — step by step
  1. Get a job offer or signed contract for a qualified job from a German employer.
  2. Have your degree or vocational training checked in the anabin database or get a Statement of Comparability from ZAB.
  3. Fill out the online visa application on the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de), or ask your employer to start the fast-track procedure at the foreigners office.
  4. Book and attend your appointment at the German embassy and pay the EUR 75 fee.
  5. The Federal Employment Agency checks your pay and working conditions in the background.
  6. After arrival, register your address and collect your residence permit at the local foreigners office (AuslÀnderbehörde).
Path to PR: Yes – settlement permit after 3 years (36 months of pension contributions, B1 German); after only 2 years for graduates of German universities or training programs

Official Site ↗

EU Blue Card
§18g AufenthG

Germany's flagship residence title for university-educated professionals with a qualifying salary – Germany issues more EU Blue Cards than all other EU states combined. Includes intra-EU mobility rights and the fastest track to permanent residence.

Fees
EUR 75 national visa; approx. EUR 100 for Blue Card issuance in Germany
Processing
6-12 weeks for the visa; fast-track procedure (§81a AufenthG, EUR 411, employer-initiated) can cut this to 3-4 weeks
Validity
Duration of the employment contract plus 3 months, maximum 4 years; renewable; job changes in the first year must be notified to the foreigners authority
Who can apply: You can apply if you have a university degree and a German job offer of at least 6 months that pays at least EUR 50,700 a year (or EUR 45,934.20 for shortage jobs like doctors, nurses, engineers, IT experts, and teachers, and for recent graduates). Experienced IT workers can qualify with 3 years of work experience instead of a degree.
Key requirements (5)
  • Recognized university degree comparable to a German degree (check via anabin), or a tertiary qualification of at least 3 years (ISCED 2011 / EQF level 6); IT specialists may instead prove 3+ years of professional experience gained in the last 7 years
  • Job offer or employment contract of at least 6 months in Germany matching the qualification level
  • Gross annual salary of at least EUR 50,700 (2026 standard threshold) or EUR 45,934.20 (2026) for shortage occupations and career starters within 3 years of graduation (with Federal Employment Agency approval)
  • Shortage occupations include: STEM academics, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists, academic nursing/midwifery professionals, teachers and educators, architecture/spatial planning professionals, and managers in ICT, production, construction, childcare and health services
  • For regulated professions: professional practice license in place or in prospect
How to apply — step by step
  1. Get a job offer or contract of at least 6 months that meets the Blue Card salary level.
  2. Check that your degree is recognized in the anabin database, or get a Statement of Comparability from ZAB.
  3. Fill out the online visa application on the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de).
  4. Attend your appointment at the German embassy with your contract and degree papers and pay the EUR 75 fee.
  5. Travel to Germany and start your job.
  6. Book an appointment at the local foreigners office (AuslÀnderbehörde) to receive your Blue Card.
Path to PR: Fastest route: settlement permit after 27 months of employment with A1 German, or just 21 months with B1 German (§18c(2) AufenthG)

Official Site ↗

Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
§20a AufenthG

Germany's points-based job-seeker visa, launched June 2024, replacing the old jobseeker visa for foreign professionals. Lets qualified non-EU nationals live in Germany for up to a year to find work – with part-time work allowed during the search. (German graduates use the separate 18-month §20 route instead.)

Fees
EUR 75 national visa (approx. EUR 100 if issued as a residence permit in Germany)
Processing
4-12 weeks depending on the German mission; digital application via Consular Services Portal
Validity
Up to 12 months (non-renewable as job-search title), but a follow-up 'extension' opportunity card of up to 2 years is possible once qualified work is found; allows 20h/week part-time work plus 2-week job trials per employer
Who can apply: You can apply if you have a degree or at least 2 years of job training and want to move to Germany for up to a year to look for work, with no job offer needed. You either have a fully recognized qualification or score at least 6 points for things like language skills, work experience, and age, and you must show basic German (A1) or good English (B2) plus enough money.
Key requirements (5)
  • Either: full German-recognized equivalence of your vocational or academic qualification (no points needed), OR at least 6 points on the grid plus baseline requirements
  • Baseline for points route: a degree or 2+ year vocational qualification recognized in the country where it was earned (anabin result, Statement of Comparability, or Digital Statement on Professional Qualification), plus German A1 or English B2
  • Points awarded for: partial recognition of qualification (4), German language A2/B1/B2+ (1/2/3, plus 1 for English C1), 2 years' experience in last 5 (2) or 5 years in last 7 (3), age under 35 (2) or 35-40 (1), prior 6+ month legal stay in Germany (1), shortage occupation (1), spouse also eligible (1)
  • Proof of funds: EUR 1,091 net per month in 2026 – blocked account of about EUR 13,092 for 12 months, or a declaration of commitment, or a part-time job offer of up to 20h/week
  • Health insurance coverage
How to apply — step by step
  1. Take the free self-check on the Make it in Germany website to count your points.
  2. Get proof that your degree or training is recognized in the country where you earned it (anabin entry or a ZAB statement).
  3. Show money proof: a blocked account with about EUR 13,092 for a year, or a part-time job offer of up to 20 hours a week.
  4. Fill out the online application on the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de).
  5. Attend your appointment at the German embassy and pay the EUR 75 fee.
  6. Move to Germany and search for a job for up to 12 months; you may work part-time and do 2-week job trials while you look.
Path to PR: Indirect – switch to a Skilled Worker permit or EU Blue Card once hired; that time then counts toward the 21-month to 3-year settlement tracks

Official Site ↗

Permanent residency & settlement

Settlement Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
§9 / §18c AufenthG

Germany's permanent residence title: unlimited validity, free access to the labor market, and near-full social rights. Multiple accelerated tracks exist for skilled workers, graduates, and Blue Card holders.

Fees
EUR 113 standard; EUR 147 for the highly-qualified route (§18c(3)); EUR 124 for self-employed; reduced fees for some categories
Processing
Roughly 4 weeks to 3 months at the local AuslĂ€nderbehörde – big-city offices (Berlin, Munich) often take longer due to appointment backlogs
Validity
Permanent (unlimited); lapses only after extended absence from Germany (generally 6+ months)
Who can apply: You can apply if you have lived and worked in Germany long enough: usually 5 years, but only 3 years for skilled workers, 2 years for people who graduated in Germany, and as little as 21 months for Blue Card holders with B1 German. You need pension payments, enough income, and basic German.
Key requirements (6)
  • Standard track (§9): 5 years holding a residence permit with 60 months of pension contributions
  • Accelerated tracks: 3 years for skilled workers (§18c(1): 36 months of pension contributions, B1 German), 2 years for graduates of German universities/training programs, 27 months for EU Blue Card holders with A1 German or 21 months with B1 German (§18c(2))
  • Secure livelihood without public benefits
  • Adequate German (generally B1; A1 sufficient for the Blue Card 27-month track)
  • Adequate living space and no serious criminal convictions
  • Basic knowledge of the German legal and social order (usually the 'Leben in Deutschland' test)
How to apply — step by step
  1. Check which track fits you: 5 years standard, 3 years skilled worker, 2 years German graduate, or 21-27 months with a Blue Card.
  2. Collect proof of pension contributions, income, health insurance, and your housing.
  3. Pass a B1 German language test (A1 is enough for the 27-month Blue Card track).
  4. Pass the 'Leben in Deutschland' test about German life and law.
  5. Book an appointment at your local foreigners office (AuslÀnderbehörde) and hand in the application form with your documents.
  6. Pay the fee (EUR 113-147) and collect your permanent residence card.
Path to PR: This IS permanent residence; naturalisation as a German citizen is possible after 5 years of residence with B1 German (dual citizenship allowed since June 2024; the 3-year 'turbo' track for exceptional integration was abolished effective 1 November 2025)

Official Site ↗

Family visas

Family Reunion Visa (Familiennachzug)
National Type D visa; §§28-30 AufenthG

For spouses, registered partners, and minor children joining a German citizen or a non-EU national holding a German residence title. Spouses receive immediate, unrestricted access to the labor market.

Fees
EUR 75 national visa (free for family members of EU/EEA citizens exercising free movement); approx. EUR 100 residence permit
Processing
Highly variable: a few weeks at quiet missions to 6-12+ months at high-demand missions (appointment waits are the bottleneck)
Validity
Residence permit initially at least 1 year, tied to the sponsor's permit; renewable; immediate right to work
Who can apply: You can apply if your husband, wife, registered partner, or parent is a German citizen or lives in Germany with a residence permit. Spouses can work right away after arriving. Some spouses must show basic German (A1), but not if they are joining a skilled worker or Blue Card holder.
Key requirements (7)
  • Legalized/apostilled marriage certificate (or birth certificates for children), with certified German translations
  • Both spouses at least 18 years old
  • Sponsor holds German citizenship, a settlement permit, EU Blue Card, or another qualifying residence title
  • No German language proof required for spouses joining skilled workers, Blue Card holders or researchers; basic German (A1) before entry generally applies to spouses of other sponsors, with exemptions for certain nationalities
  • Sponsor must generally prove adequate living space and secure income (largely waived for German-citizen sponsors; Blue Card holders from other EU states need only health insurance proof)
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Nationals of e.g. US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Brazil may enter visa-free and apply directly at the foreigners authority
How to apply — step by step
  1. Make sure your family member in Germany has citizenship or a qualifying residence permit.
  2. Get your marriage or birth certificates legalized or apostilled and translated into German.
  3. If required, pass a basic German (A1) test at a Goethe-Institut or similar center.
  4. Fill out the online application on the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de).
  5. Attend your appointment at the German embassy with your documents and pay the EUR 75 fee.
  6. After arrival, register your address and collect the residence permit at the local foreigners office (AuslÀnderbehörde).
Path to PR: Yes – settlement permit after 5 years (3 years for spouses of German citizens), with pension contributions and B1 German

Official Site ↗

Business & investor visas

Self-Employment / Freelance Visa
§21 AufenthG

Residence permit for entrepreneurs setting up a business (§21(1)) or freelancers in liberal professions such as artists, writers, IT consultants, doctors and architects (§21(5)). Berlin is a popular hub for the freelance route.

Fees
EUR 75 national visa; approx. EUR 100 residence permit issued in Germany
Processing
1-3+ months – business plans are reviewed by local authorities/chambers, and timelines vary heavily by mission and city
Validity
Up to 3 years initially; extendable if the business is successful and livelihood for you and your family is covered
Who can apply: You can apply if you want to start a business in Germany that the economy needs and you have the money to fund it, or if you work as a freelancer, such as an artist, writer, IT consultant, doctor, lawyer, or architect, with clients who want to hire you. If you are over 45, you must also show you have saved for retirement.
Key requirements (5)
  • Entrepreneurs (§21(1)): economic interest in or regional demand for the product/service, foreseeable positive effect on the German economy, and financing secured via own capital or a loan commitment
  • Freelancers (§21(5)): proof of sufficient funds to finance the projects (e.g. letters of intent from clients), plus any licence required to practice the profession
  • Proof that you can support yourself (secure livelihood)
  • Applicants over 45: proof of adequate old-age pension provision
  • Valid passport and health insurance
How to apply — step by step
  1. Write a solid business plan, or collect letters of intent from clients if you are a freelancer.
  2. Gather proof of money to finance your business and support yourself.
  3. Fill out the online visa application on the Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de).
  4. Attend your appointment at the German embassy and pay the EUR 75 fee; local authorities and chambers of commerce review your plan.
  5. After arrival, register your address and register with the tax office (Finanzamt) to get your tax number.
  6. Collect your residence permit at the local foreigners office (AuslÀnderbehörde).
Path to PR: Yes – settlement permit possible after just 3 years if the business is successful and your livelihood is secured (§21(4))

Official Site ↗

Popular universities & fees

Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Munich · University · Engineering & computer science
€4k-€12k/yr non-EU (since 2024/25)
LMU Munich
Munich · University · Medicine, law & research
No tuition, ~€85/semester fees
Heidelberg University
Heidelberg · University · Medicine & life sciences
€3,000/yr non-EU (state fee)
RWTH Aachen University
Aachen · University · Mechanical & electrical engineering
No tuition, ~€375/semester fees
Technische UniversitÀt Berlin
Berlin · University · Engineering & computer science
No tuition, ~€380/semester fees
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Karlsruhe · Institute · Engineering & natural sciences
€3,000/yr non-EU (state fee)
TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences
Cologne · College · Applied engineering & media
No tuition, ~€350/semester fees
HTW Berlin – University of Applied Sciences
Berlin · College · Business & applied engineering
No tuition, ~€380/semester fees
Munich University of Applied Sciences (HM)
Munich · College · Practical business & engineering
No tuition, ~€85/semester fees

Scholarships to know: DAAD Study Scholarships (Master's) (€992/month + travel & insurance) · Deutschlandstipendium (€300/month) · Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships (€992/month + allowances) · Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Full tuition + ~€1,400/month stipend)

Official portals

Make it in Germany

The Federal Government's official portal for skilled workers from abroad: visa types explained, Opportunity Card self-check, recognition guidance, and a federal job board.

Official

Federal Foreign Office – Visas for Germany

Official visa information from the AuswÀrtiges Amt: Schengen and national visa rules, fees (EUR 90 Schengen / EUR 75 national), required documents, and links to every German mission abroad.

Official

Consular Services Portal (digital.diplo.de)

Germany's official online application portal (Auslandsportal) of the Federal Foreign Office for national (Type D) visas – work, study, family reunification and Opportunity Card applications are submitted digitally here since 2025.

Official

BAMF – Federal Office for Migration and Refugees

The federal immigration authority: residence law, integration courses, recognition of qualifications, and migration information services.

Official

Community & guides

Handbook Germany

Multilingual practical guides (10+ languages) on visas, work, housing and daily life in Germany, run by Neue deutsche Medienmacher with public funding.

Guide

All About Berlin

Meticulously maintained plain-English guides to German bureaucracy – freelance visas, permanent residence, Anmeldung and health insurance – widely trusted by expats.

Guide

Germany-visa.org

Comprehensive unofficial reference covering every German visa type, fees, and application checklists.

Guide

How To Germany

Long-running expat portal with detailed, regularly updated articles on visas, residence permits, taxes and relocation logistics.

Guide