Planning a move to Germany. Where to begin.
Choose the permission before the address.
Pages in this story
Where the visa stands
Germany publishes work visa options for qualified professionals and a separate Opportunity Card for eligible job seekers. A qualified job offer is central to the professional employment visa option.
Start with your work plans
Germany has no dedicated digital-nomad visa. The realistic visa options are the freelance residence permit (section 21(5) of the Residence Act), the self-employment permit for a business in Germany's economic interest (section 21(1)), or employment visa options such as the EU Blue Card or the Opportunity Card for job seekers. Freelance and self-employment permits require proof of a viable project, secured livelihood and funds, professional licensing where relevant, and adequate retirement provision where required. US citizens can usually enter without a visa and apply for the residence permit inside Germany under section 41 of the Residence Ordinance, but confirm the right category before moving.
Describe who pays you, where your employer or clients are based and what you would do while living abroad. Use those details when checking the official route. Employer approval and immigration permission are separate questions.
Employer approval and immigration permission are separate questions.
Take the first application step
Use the Federal Government portal to check recognition, job offer and application requirements for your chosen category.
Regulated professions require appropriate professional authorization. Job search permission and permission for a specific job have different conditions.
Keep two money questions separate
The visa income test concerns the evidence required for an application. A living budget concerns your housing, healthcare, transport and daily spending. Compare both before committing to a move.
This briefing reorganizes the existing visa summary. It does not represent a new source review. The visa section of the guide keeps the original review dates and qualifications.
All sources for this story
Read next
Visas and residency. GermanyGermany: freelance permit or Blue Card? Know the difference.Working for yourself and accepting a German job involve different evidence, income rules and application steps.
Daily life. GermanyYour first month in Germany: a home, the paperwork and a social life.Build a manageable arrival plan without letting appointments take over the whole experience.Page 1 of 3