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DEEntry · residence · long-term status

Legal ways to live in Germany.

Germany currently offers 9 active paths relevant to remote workers. There is no dedicated digital nomad visa, so the practical alternatives matter. Conditions below come from official immigration sources — filter by your citizenship.

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9 legalization paths · 63 sources · official immigration sources only

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9 legalization paths

01

Choose your route

A compact map of every documented option for Germany. Start with eligibility and duration, then open the full conditions below.

  1. 01Visa-free short stay (Schengen)Getting in · Visa-free stayWho qualifiesUS citizens, UK citizens, Ukrainian citizens, Venezuelan citizensDuration3 moNo direct PR path
  2. 02Residence permit for freelance work (Freiberufler, § 21(5) AufenthG)Staying long-term · Freelance permitWho qualifiesAll except EU citizensDuration3 yrs +→ PR path
  3. 03Residence permit for self-employment and company founders (§ 21(1), (2a), (2b) AufenthG)Staying long-term · Business visaWho qualifiesAll except EU citizensDuration3 yrs +→ PR path
  4. 04EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU, § 18g AufenthG)Staying long-term · Temporary residenceWho qualifiesAll except EU citizensDuration4 yrs +→ PR path
  5. 05Skilled-worker residence permit (§ 18a and § 18b AufenthG)Staying long-term · Temporary residenceWho qualifiesAll except EU citizensDuration4 yrs +→ PR path
  6. 06Permit for IT specialists with practical experience and no degree (§ 19c(2) AufenthG with § 6 BeschV)Staying long-term · Temporary residenceWho qualifiesAll except EU citizensDuration4 yrs +→ PR path
  7. 07Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, § 20a AufenthG)Staying long-term · Temporary residenceWho qualifiesAll except EU citizensDuration1 yr +No direct PR path
  8. 08EU/EEA citizens — free movement and registration of the address (Anmeldung)Staying long-term · Special programWho qualifiesEU citizensDuration5 yrs +→ PR path
  9. 09Temporary protection for Ukrainians (§ 24 AufenthG)Staying long-term · Special programWho qualifiesUkrainian citizensDuration17 mo +No direct PR path

02

Getting in

Who can enter Germany and on what terms — visa-free windows and entry visas.

01Getting in
Visa-free stayactive

Visa-free short stay (Schengen)

For: US citizens, UK citizens, Ukrainian citizens, Venezuelan citizens

Duration
3 months
Path to PR
No

Requirements (7)

07
  1. 01The Federal Foreign Office visa overview (3 June 2026) lists the United States, the United Kingdom and Venezuela as needing no entry visa, Ukraine as needing none for holders of biometric passports only, and the Russian Federation as visa-required
  2. 02Visa-exempt visitors may stay at most 90 days in any 180-day period and may not take up gainful employment (Foreign Office overview, note 1; AufenthV § 17(1))
  3. 03Gainful employment (Erwerbstätigkeit) means self-employment, employment within the meaning of § 7 SGB IV and civil-servant activity (AufenthG § 2(2)); the only exception, AufenthV § 17(2), covers activities that § 30 nos. 2 and 3 BeschV do not count as employment, for up to 90 days in twelve months
  4. 04US and UK citizens, like nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Korea and New Zealand, may apply for a residence permit inside Germany after visa-free entry, within 90 days of entry (AufenthV § 41(1) and (3)); Ukrainian and Venezuelan citizens are not on that list
  5. 05Entry and exit are recorded in the EU Entry/Exit System, fully operational since 10 April 2026 according to the Foreign Office; ETIAS is not operational and the Foreign Office says no launch date has been set
  6. 06A person who otherwise lives abroad has to register a dwelling in Germany only after three months (BMG § 27(2))
  7. 07Not a work or residence status: the pages read do not say whether remote work for a foreign employer or foreign clients is allowed during a visa-free stay

03

Staying long-term

Grounds for residence — business, employment, special programs — with the conditions to qualify.

02Staying long-term
Freelance permitactive

Residence permit for freelance work (Freiberufler, § 21(5) AufenthG)

For: All except EU citizens

Duration
3 years, renewable
Path to PR
Yes
Family
Included
Fee
100 EUR
Processing
180–270 days

Requirements (12)

12
  1. 01Legal basis § 21(5) AufenthG: the permit may be granted for a freelance activity; a professional licence the activity needs must be granted or promised, and the chambers, trade authorities and licensing bodies of the place of activity are consulted (§ 21(1) sentence 3 applies)
  2. 02LEA Berlin test: positive economic or cultural effects must be expected; the work must be independent scientific, artistic, writing, teaching, educational or other professional work under § 18(1) no. 1 EStG (doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, auditors, tax advisers, translators, journalists and 'similar professions')
  3. 03Evidence (LEA Berlin): CV with proof of qualification, references or funding commitments, a revenue forecast (Ertragsvorschau), and either fee contracts or at least 2 letters of intent describing the cooperation and the type and scope of the work; no minimum euro income is published
  4. 04Artists and language teachers also show other regular income; every applicant needs German statutory or comparable private health insurance because foreign cover is generally not enough
  5. 05Aged 45 or over: adequate old-age provision is expected (§ 21(3), 'soll'); LEA Berlin, since 1 July 2025: a pension of 1,612.53 EUR a month for at least 12 years, or assets of 232,204 EUR, available at age 67; waived for nationals of the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka
  6. 06A national D visa or residence permit is needed to apply in Berlin and a Schengen C visa is not enough; citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the UK and the US may apply in Germany after visa-free entry, within 90 days (AufenthV § 41)
  7. 07Economic activity may start only once the permit is issued (Foreign Office); LEA Berlin requires a main residence in Berlin, an online application and a payment by card or PayPal
  8. 08Permit of 1 to 3 years (LEA Berlin); renewal needs a successful activity with lasting sufficient income, shown by the last tax assessment, a net-profit calculation, 6 months of bank statements, orders and the Finanzamt registration
  9. 09Settlement permit earliest after 5 years for freelancers (LEA Berlin); the 3-year route of § 21(4) does not apply to them (§ 21(5) sentence 4); settlement fee 113 EUR (AufenthV § 44 no. 3)
  10. 10Fees (AufenthV § 45): 100 EUR first permit, 93 EUR extension; LEA Berlin charges 56 EUR when the permit is issued as a sticker; national visa 75 EUR (AufenthV § 46)
  11. 11Foreign Office, London mission: most applications in this visa category take 6 to 9 months, family included; LEA Berlin: an electronic card takes 4 to 6 weeks after the appointment
  12. 12Spouse and children: no housing test (§ 29(5)) and no A1 German requirement for the spouse (§ 30(1) sentence 3 no. 5 names § 21); the London mission page says spouses of self-employed applicants are not generally exempt, which we could not reconcile with the statute
03Staying long-term
Business visaactive

Residence permit for self-employment and company founders (§ 21(1), (2a), (2b) AufenthG)

For: All except EU citizens

Duration
3 years, renewable
Path to PR
Yes
Family
Included
Fee
100 EUR
Processing
180–270 days

Requirements (11)

11
  1. 01§ 21(1) AufenthG: an economic interest or a regional need exists, the activity is expected to have positive effects on the economy, and the financing is secured by equity or a credit commitment
  2. 02The assessment looks at the viability of the business idea, the applicant's entrepreneurial experience, the capital invested, the effect on jobs and training and the contribution to innovation and research; the chamber of commerce or crafts chamber and other competent bodies are consulted
  3. 03LEA Berlin covers company founders, sole-trader Gewerbetreibende and managing directors or legal representatives of partnerships and companies who carry entrepreneurial responsibility
  4. 04Evidence (LEA Berlin): CV, references or funding commitments, company profile and detailed business concept, business plan, financing plan, a Handelsregister extract or notarial filing (or a Gewerbeanmeldung if no entry is needed), health insurance and rent proof
  5. 05Other bases: German graduates, researchers and Blue Card holders with a related activity (§ 21(2a), 'soll'); a founder with a public-funds scholarship such as EXIST, up to 18 months (§ 21(2b))
  6. 06Aged 45 or over: adequate old-age provision is expected (§ 21(3)); LEA Berlin since 1 July 2025: 1,612.53 EUR a month for at least 12 years, or assets of 232,204 EUR, at age 67; waived for nationals of the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka
  7. 07Permit for at most 3 years (§ 21(4)); a settlement permit may follow after 3 years if the person has been self-employed that long, the business is expected to keep developing and the livelihood of the person and dependants is secured (§ 21(4)); settlement fee 124 EUR (AufenthV § 44 no. 2)
  8. 08An extension needs an audit report (Prüfungsbericht) by a tax adviser, auditor or lawyer (LEA Berlin); no euro minimum for capital or income is stated in the law or on the LEA pages
  9. 09Fees (AufenthV § 45): 100 EUR first permit, 93 EUR extension; national visa 75 EUR (AufenthV § 46); US, UK, Australian, Canadian, Israeli, Japanese, Korean and New Zealand citizens may apply in Germany after visa-free entry, within 90 days (AufenthV § 41)
  10. 10Foreign Office, London mission (page for the self-employed D visa): most applications take 6 to 9 months; LEA Berlin: an electronic card takes 4 to 6 weeks after the appointment
  11. 11Spouse and children: no housing test (§ 29(5)) and no A1 German requirement for the spouse (§ 30(1) sentence 3 no. 5 names § 21)
04Staying long-term
Temporary residenceactive

EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU, § 18g AufenthG)

For: All except EU citizens

Duration
4 years, renewable
Path to PR
Yes
Family
Included
Fee
100 EUR
Processing
30–90 days
Income requirement
50,700 EUR/year

Requirements (11)

11
  1. 01Highly qualified work in Germany: a German, recognised or comparable foreign degree, or a tertiary programme of at least 3 years; IT managers and IT specialists (ISCO-08 groups 133 and 25) can qualify without a degree with at least 3 years of IT experience in the last 7 years (§ 18g(1)-(2))
  2. 02A concrete job offer or contract for at least 6 months, with an employer that has an establishment in Germany, and a professional licence where the job needs one (§ 18g(3); LEA Berlin)
  3. 03Minimum gross salary for 2026 (BMI notice of 2 December 2025, Bundesanzeiger 18 December 2025): 50,700 EUR a year (4,225 EUR a month); bonuses that are fully variable do not count (LEA Berlin)
  4. 04Reduced minimum for 2026: 45,934.20 EUR a year (3,827.85 EUR a month) for shortage occupations (ISCO-08 groups 132, 133, 134, 21, 221, 222, 225, 226, 23 and 25), for a degree gained no more than 3 years ago and for IT specialists without a degree; this tier needs the consent of the Federal Employment Agency
  5. 05German statutory or comparable private health insurance is required; foreign cover generally does not suffice (LEA Berlin)
  6. 06Valid up to 4 years; for a shorter contract the statute adds 6 months to the contract (§ 18(4)) while LEA Berlin says 3 months, a mismatch we could not resolve; after 1 year in the job any employment is allowed (LEA Berlin)
  7. 07Settlement permit after 27 months of Blue Card employment with pension contributions and simple German, or after 21 months with good German (§ 18c(2))
  8. 08Spouse and children: no housing test (§ 29(5)) and no German-language requirement for the spouse (§ 30(1) sentence 3 no. 5); LEA Berlin lets family members be entered in the same online application
  9. 09Fee 100 EUR for a first card, 93 EUR for an extension (AufenthV § 45); an employer can request the fast-track procedure for 411 EUR (§ 81a AufenthG; AufenthV § 47)
  10. 10The Foreign Office says employment applications take about 1 to 3 months; LEA Berlin issues the electronic card 4 to 6 weeks after the appointment
  11. 11Needs a German employer: a remote job with a foreign employer does not qualify
05Staying long-term
Temporary residenceactive

Skilled-worker residence permit (§ 18a and § 18b AufenthG)

For: All except EU citizens

Duration
4 years, renewable
Path to PR
Yes
Family
Included
Fee
100 EUR
Processing
30–90 days

Requirements (10)

10
  1. 01A permit for any qualified employment for a Fachkraft with a vocational qualification equivalent to a German one (§ 18a) or a German, recognised or comparable foreign degree (§ 18b)
  2. 02A concrete job offer; the consent of the Federal Employment Agency unless the Employment Ordinance exempts the job; a professional licence and recognition of the qualification where required (§ 18(2))
  3. 03First permit at age 45 or over: a salary of at least 55% of the pension contribution ceiling, 55,770 EUR a year in 2026 (4,647.50 EUR a month), unless adequate old-age provision is shown (§ 18(2) no. 5; Hamburg Welcome Center table, July 2026)
  4. 04No other statutory salary minimum applies to this permit; the Blue Card has its own thresholds (see de-eu-blue-card)
  5. 05Valid up to 4 years, or the contract length plus 6 months for a shorter contract (§ 18(4))
  6. 06Settlement permit after 3 years (2 with a German training or degree), with 36 months of pension contributions (24) and German language skills (§ 18c(1))
  7. 07Spouse and children: no housing test (§ 29(5)) and no German-language requirement for the spouse (§ 30(1) sentence 3 no. 5)
  8. 08Fee 100 EUR for a first permit, 93 EUR for an extension (AufenthV § 45); an employer can request the fast-track procedure for 411 EUR (§ 81a AufenthG; AufenthV § 47)
  9. 09The Foreign Office says employment applications take about 1 to 3 months
  10. 10Needs a German employer: a remote job with a foreign employer does not qualify
06Staying long-term
Temporary residenceactive

Permit for IT specialists with practical experience and no degree (§ 19c(2) AufenthG with § 6 BeschV)

For: All except EU citizens

Duration
4 years, renewable
Path to PR
Yes
Family
Included
Fee
100 EUR
Processing
30–90 days
Income requirement
45,630 EUR/year

Requirements (9)

09
  1. 01At least 2 years of professional experience gained in the last 5 years that qualifies the person for the job (§ 6(1) no. 1 BeschV)
  2. 02For information and communication technology jobs no formal vocational qualification or degree is required; for other occupations a state-recognised qualification of at least 2 years or a degree is (§ 6(1) BeschV)
  3. 03A job or an offer paying at least 45% of the pension contribution ceiling: 45,630 EUR a year in 2026 (3,802.50 EUR a month; Hamburg Welcome Center table, July 2026); an employer bound by a collective agreement and paying its terms is exempt from the salary threshold (§ 6(1) BeschV)
  4. 04First permit at age 45 or over: 55,770 EUR a year in 2026 (Hamburg Welcome Center table)
  5. 05The Federal Employment Agency must consent (§ 6(1) BeschV); the BMI sets the salary amount each year in the Bundesanzeiger by 31 December (§ 6(2))
  6. 06Valid up to 4 years, or the contract length plus 6 months for a shorter contract (§ 18(4))
  7. 07Spouse and children: no housing test (§ 29(5)) and no German-language requirement for the spouse (§ 30(1) sentence 3 no. 5 names § 19c(2))
  8. 08Fee 100 EUR for a first permit, 93 EUR for an extension (AufenthV § 45); the Foreign Office says employment applications take about 1 to 3 months
  9. 09Needs a German employer: a remote job with a foreign employer does not qualify
07Staying long-term
Temporary residenceactive

Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, § 20a AufenthG)

For: All except EU citizens

Duration
1 year, renewable
Path to PR
No
Fee
75 EUR
Income requirement
1,091 EUR/month

Requirements (10)

10
  1. 01A job-search residence permit for up to 1 year: either a Fachkraft with full recognition of the foreign qualification, or at least 6 points in the points system (§ 20a(3), § 20b)
  2. 02Points system: partial recognition 4; German B2 3, B1 2, A2 1; English C1 1; experience of 5 years in the last 7 years 3 or of 2 years in the last 5 years 2; qualification in a shortage occupation 1; age up to 35 years 2, 35 to 40 years 1; 6 months in Germany in the last 5 years 1; spouse applying too 1
  3. 03Without full recognition: a foreign university degree or at least 2 years of vocational training, state-recognised in the country that awarded it (or issued by a German chamber abroad), plus German at A1 or English at B2 (§ 20a(4))
  4. 04Funds of 1,091 EUR a month for the whole stay, 13,092 EUR for 12 months, shown by a blocked account or a declaration of commitment from a person living in Germany (Federal Foreign Office, April 2026; Federal Employment Agency: 'in der Regel 1.091 Euro pro Monat', 2026)
  5. 05Health insurance valid in all Schengen states with at least 30,000 EUR of cover, shown when the visa is collected (Cairo mission, April 2026)
  6. 06Work allowed: employment averaging at most 20 hours a week and trial employment of at most two weeks each (§ 20a(2)); self-employment is not among the permitted activities, and no Federal Employment Agency consent is needed
  7. 07Apply from abroad, up to 3 months before travel; a person already in Germany can get the card only with a permit under Chapter 2 Section 3 or 4 of the AufenthG (§ 20a(4) sentence 2), so a visa-free entrant cannot switch inside Germany
  8. 08Extension up to 2 more years as a follow-on Chancenkarte if the holder has a contract or binding offer for a qualified job and the Federal Employment Agency consents and no other permit is available (§ 20a(5)); a new search card only after an absence as long as the previous stay
  9. 09§ 9 AufenthG does not apply to the search card, so it leads to no settlement permit (§ 20a(6)); holders are excluded from SGB II benefits (SGB II § 7(1) sentence 2 no. 2b)
  10. 10National visa fee 75 EUR, paid in local currency and not refunded (Cairo mission; AufenthV § 46(2) no. 1); no official processing time was found
08Staying long-term
Special programactive

EU/EEA citizens — free movement and registration of the address (Anmeldung)

For: EU citizens

Duration
5 years, renewable
Path to PR
Yes
Family
Included

Requirements (7)

07
  1. 01No residence permit and no registration certificate for the EU citizen: the right of entry and residence comes from the Freedom of Movement Act (FreizügG/EU § 2(1)); only non-EU family members get a residence card (§ 5(1))
  2. 02The right applies to workers, established self-employed people, service providers, job-seekers (6 months, longer only with proof of continued search and real prospects) and non-working citizens who have sufficient health insurance and sufficient means; the law gives no euro amount for 'sufficient means' (§ 2(2), § 4)
  3. 03The Ausländerbehörde may ask for proof that the conditions are met three months after entry (§ 5(2))
  4. 04Anyone who moves into a dwelling must register with the Meldebehörde within two weeks of moving in (BMG § 17(1)); a person registered elsewhere in Germany who stays up to six months, and a person who otherwise lives abroad until three months have passed, need not register (BMG § 27(2))
  5. 05Registration has no fee (Service Berlin, Anmeldung, 23 October 2026)
  6. 06After 5 years of continuous lawful residence the citizen has a permanent right of residence (§ 4a(1)); the certificate on request costs 10 EUR (AufenthV § 47(3))
  7. 07A residence card for a non-EU family member is valid 5 years and issued within 6 months (§ 5(1)); its fee equals the German ID-card fee (AufenthV § 47(3))
09Staying long-term
Special programactive

Temporary protection for Ukrainians (§ 24 AufenthG)

For: Ukrainian citizens

Duration
17 months, renewable
Path to PR
No
Family
Included

Requirements (10)

10
  1. 01BMI, 21 August 2026: temporary protection for people from Ukraine who have protected status in Germany 'has been extended for a further year, through 4 March 2028' (Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1912 of 30 July 2026); Germany4Ukraine, 23 September 2026: until the end of 4 March 2028
  2. 02The ordinance that keeps § 24 permits valid without individual renewal (UkraineAufenthFGV § 2(1), last amended 22 October 2025) still says permits valid on 1 February 2026 continue to 4 March 2027, and the ordinance expires on 4 March 2027 (§ 3(2)); no amending ordinance for 2028 was found as of 23 October 2026
  3. 03Germany4Ukraine's labour page says § 24(1) permits are valid until 4 March 2028 by an exemption regulation and need no individual extension; the entry ordinance UkraineAufenthÜV was extended to 4 March 2028 and a 90-day permit-free stay for entries by 4 December 2027 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 288, in force 9 October 2026)
  4. 04New applicants must, where relevant, show they have met their military obligations in Ukraine; people already under temporary protection in an EU state who keep it continuously are exempt (Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1912, Art. 2)
  5. 05German version (BMI): people entering the EU for the first time after 5 August 2026 who do not meet their military obligations get no temporary protection and prove compliance with an exit stamp or papers showing exemption or deferment; the rule does not apply to people already living in the EU
  6. 06German entry ordinance: the 90-day permit exemption does not apply to people who enter Germany from 9 October 2026 and are subject to military obligations under Ukrainian law, unless they prove they comply (UkraineAufenthÜV § 2(3))
  7. 07A § 24(1) permit or its provisional document must carry the note 'Erwerbstätigkeit erlaubt'; holders may work in any job without the Federal Employment Agency's consent, and Land Berlin says they may also found a company or work freelance, though further permits can be needed
  8. 08Regulated professions (for example doctors, teachers, architects) need recognition of the qualification (Germany4Ukraine)
  9. 09Holders are distributed among the Länder and must live at the place assigned to them (AufenthG § 24(3)-(5)); the permit itself is free in Berlin, with 5 to 6 weeks for an electronic card
  10. 10A holder who meets the conditions can switch to another permit, for example for employment, with the prospect of long-term residence (BMI)

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