Foreigners who want to immigrate to Germany can benefit from a wide range of legal services if they address our specialists in immigration law. Migration to Germany can refer to various matters, such as the procedures one must complete in order to study here, the requirements for employment, the visa application steps, and others.
How can our immigration lawyers assist in moving to Germany?
Those seeking professional assistance on the immigration law and the immigration procedures applicable in this country can rely on the wide category of services offered by our immigration lawyers in Germany. We can represent natural persons relocating here for personal purposes or those who want to invest in Germany. Some of the basic services foreigners can obtain are mentioned in the list below:
• immigration services for those who want to immigrate to Germany for employment purposes;
• services for persons who want to study in Germany or for those interested in family reunification programs;
• legal representation for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start a business in Germany;
• assisting in obtaining a residence permit in Germany, which grants a person the right to lawfully live in this country;
• offering step-to-step information on the visa application procedure, in the case of persons whose nationality requires the issuance of this document.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) (Yes/No) |
NO |
|
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (Yes/No) |
YES, for first-time comers to the European Union |
|
Types of visas available |
Tourist, family reunification, business visas, work permits, residence permits (temporary, permanent) |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) | 1 – 3 months |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | 2 or 3 years |
| Temporary residence permit renewal requirements |
Temporary residency can be renewed provided that the criteria under which the permit was issued remain in place |
| Documents for obtaining a residence visa | Valid passport, proof of residence, health insurance, supporting documents based on the reason of relocation (work contract, business registration papers, etc.)
|
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) | 2 years for skilled workers, 3 years for self-employed persons and family members joining German residents, 4 years for other categories of immigrants |
| Investor visa availability (Yes/No) | YES |
| Start up visa scheme availability (Yes/No) | NO |
| Sponsorship requirement (Yes/No) | NO |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | 8 years of living in Germany |
| Citizenship/ Residency by investment scheme availability (Yes/No) | NO |
| Taxation of foreign citizens | Personal income tax applies to earnings obtained in Germany, tax brackets range from 0% to 45% |
| Tax benefits for foreign citizens | Access to approx. 90 double tax treaties, estate and gift tax reliefs for citizens of Denmark, Greece, France, Sweden, Switzerland, USA. |
| Location | Germany is a country located in Central Europe, known for its rich history, strong economy, and cultural diversity. |
|
Residence permit |
Non-EU citizens need a residence permit for long-term stays, which can be obtained based on various purposes. |
|
Blue card |
Highly skilled non-EU professionals can apply for the EU Blue Card, facilitating work and residence in Germany. |
| Language | German is the official language, but English is widely spoken, especially in business and academic settings. |
| Job opportunities |
Germany has a strong job market, particularly in engineering, IT, healthcare, and other high-demand sectors. |
| Education system |
Germany offers tuition-free or low-cost higher education for international students at public universities. If you are relocating for studies, please get in touch with our lawyers for immigration services in Germany. |
| Health insurance |
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany, and residents can choose between public or private health insurance. |
| Cost of living |
The cost of living varies by city, with larger cities generally being more expensive than smaller towns. However, a single person’s estimated cost can be €2,388. |
| Integration courses |
New immigrants may participate in integration courses to learn the German language and culture. |
| Accommodation | Finding accommodation can be competitive in major cities, and options include renting or purchasing properties. |
| Visa-free access |
Germany citizens have visa-free access to almost 192 countries. |
| Language proficiency |
Applicants for citizenship are required to have at least a B1 level of proficiency in the German language. Our lawyers can offer you further information along with immigration services in Germany. |
| Multicultural society |
Germany is home to a diverse and multicultural society, with many expats and immigrants from various backgrounds. |
| Dual citizenship |
Allowed |
| Berlin’s startup scene | Berlin is known for its vibrant startup scene, attracting entrepreneurs and tech professionals from across the globe. Besides offering you immigration services in Germany, our lawyers can also offer you practical assistance in setting up a startup. |
Foreign citizens who intend to immigrate to Germany should know that the legal basis through which immigration procedures are developed in this country is given by the Immigration Act and the regulations applied by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The rules prescribed are mainly addressed to non-EU citizens, but it must be noted that EU citizens also have certain obligations when discussing Germany immigration.
For instance, in the case in which they plan to stay for a period longer than 90 days in Germany, they are legally required to apply for a residence permit. Our immigration lawyer in Germany can present the legal grounds under which this document can be obtained (it can also be issued if a foreigner has purchased a property here or if he or she made an investment in a local business).
You can rely on us for guidance in applying for a residence permit in Germany. Would you like to move to another European country, such as Portugal? We recommend this experienced team of Portuguese immigration lawyers if you need support for relocating to this country.
Types of visas for Germany
Non-EU nationals who want to live in Germany must obtain a German residence permit. It allows the possessor to remain in Germany for an established amount of time. Usually, a residence permit extension is also an option for those who want to stay here longer and even apply for permanent residency or citizenship.
A short-stay visa for Germany is available for 90 days and it is known as the C-type visa. Yet, if you plan to stay longer than 90 days in Germany, a D-type visa is required. There are also other types of visas a non-EU/EEA national might need to enter Germany:
• Germany tourist visa is required for vacations and explorations in the country.
• Germany Transit visa is needed if you embark on a German harbor to take a ferry or a boat to a non-Schengen country.
• Visa for Visiting Family or Friends in Germany is needed for visiting relatives in this country.
• Germany Airport Transit visa helps you transit Germany on your way to a non-Schengen state.
• Germany Internship visa is needed for foreigners accepting internships or training in Germany.
• Germany Medical visa is for persons looking for medical treatment in this country.
• Visa for Official Visit in Germany is, as the name says, needed for official visits in this state.
• Germany Business visa must be obtained by foreigners who want to develop specific operations and businesses here.
• Germany Trade Fair & Exhibitions visa is another type of visa required for such activities.
• Germany Employment visa for persons who accepted a job in this country.
• Study visa for Germany.
• Germany Job Seeker visa for foreigners visiting Germany with the purpose of seeking a place to work.
• Germany Family Reunification visa for foreigners wanting to join their families in this country.
• Germany Visa for Scientists and Researchers for persons invited in this country to take part in different scientific or research projects.
The visa application form, a declaration with complete personal information, a valid passport, proof of accommodation, health insurance, and the round-trip flight itinerary are a few documents part of the visa application that can be prepared with complete legal advice and support offered by our immigration lawyer in Germany. Our team can also explain to you the conditions for health insurance that needs to be valid for the entire Schengen area, especially for long stays in Germany. Non-EU nationals can send us their inquiries if interested in a specific type of visa. It is best to know from the beginning the requirements imposed for immigration to Germany, instead of bumping into unwanted situations for which you can receive a visa rejection.
How can our immigration lawyer in Germany help in obtaining a residence permit?
We will discuss here matters related to the issuance of the residence permit as this is one of the most common documents requested by foreigners interested in relocation to Germany. As said above, the residence permit grants the right to live here and the document must be obtained if the person will live here for a period longer than 90 days.
Residence permits can be issued in Germany for a short-term period (of up to one year), for employment purposes, for family reunification programs, or for study purposes. Only after staying in this country for a continuous period, one can apply for a permanent residence permit.
Depending on your particular situation, our lawyers can provide legal information on the documents you should prepare in order to immigrate to Germany, and the steps involved in this case. Please contact our immigration lawyers in Germany for assistance on the immigration services that are available for those relocating to this country.
Our immigration lawyer in Germany is at your service with tailored services if you want to obtain a residence permit in this country.
Obtaining a business visa in Germany
Considering that Germany represents one of the most developed economies in Europe and at a global level, it attracts numerous foreign investors as well, besides those who decide to immigrate to Germany for employment purposes. The German immigration law also provides visas for those who want to invest in this country.
From the start, we mention that European investors do not need to apply for any particular document, the business visa being a document that is necessary for businessmen from third countries; our immigration lawyers in Germany can help you find out if you need a business visa if you decide to start a company here.
The business visa in Germany is issued as a Schengen visa, which allows its holder to stay in this country for a period of 90 days in a total period of six months. When applying for this document, the businessman should prepare an extensive set of documents, like the ones mentioned in the list below:
• the visa application form signed and completed by the applicant;
• a declaration attesting that the information submitted to the German authorities is accurate;
• two photographs that respect the format prescribed by the Germany immigration law;
• the applicant’s passport – the passport must not be older than 10 years;
• a travel health insurance with a value of at least EUR 30,000 and which includes provisions regarding matters such as illness, accidents, and the death of the applicant;
• information on the flight itinerary and the proof of accommodation in Germany.
Besides these documents, the investor must present papers that refer to the purpose for which the visa is issued. The Germany migration regulations applicable in this case require applicants to provide business references, the company’s bank statements or, if self-employed, a certificate of proprietorship, an invitation letter from a business partner, where applicable, the schedule of the business meetings, the certificate of incorporation of the company owned by the applicant and other similar documents.
Here is also an infographic on our services in Germany:
Rules for obtaining German citizenship
As a foreign person moving to Germany, one has the possibility of acquiring German citizenship. This is called citizenship through naturalization, which designates the fact that the person does not have German descent, nor is he or she related to German citizens, but wants to become a citizen of this country.
In this case, several scenarios are available, but one of the main conditions is to be a German resident, which means that the applicant has been living in this country on a continuous basis. Persons who have been living in Germany for at least 8 years based on a permanent residence permit are entitled to citizenship (additional criteria have to be met as well), but also persons who have been living here for at least 7 years and who have participated to an integration course.
The German migration law also requires applicants for German citizenship to be able to speak German (the B1 level is required). The applicant must be financially independent and support his/her family and have a clean criminal record. During the naturalization process, the person must pass a citizenship test and must also be willing to renounce his or her previous citizenship.
Refugees are also entitled to citizenship, but they must go through the same process explained above. Foreigners who have married a German citizen are not automatically entitled to citizenship (although this was possible up until 1970). They will need to follow the steps mentioned earlier, the difference being that they can apply for citizenship after three years of legal residence in Germany. At the moment the application is made, the applicant has to be married for at least two years. In case you want to immigrate to Germany and obtain German citizenship, our lawyers can assist you.
The main services provided by our immigration lawyer in Frankfurt
Here are the main services you can rely on us if you are interested in Frankfurt immigration:
- assistance in finding a type of visa or residence permit that suits your needs;
- support in checking if you meet the eligibility criteria for a work permit if you are a non-EU citizen;
- guidance in applying for an investor visa, if you want to immigrate to Germany this way;
- assistance in applying for German permanent residency and/or citizenship;
- support in bringing family members to Frankfurt, if you are already established here;
- services related to document renewal.
If there is any service we did not mention here, we encourage you to use our contact form on this website and ask us about it. Temporary German residence permits have a validity of 2 years, which quite lengthy compared to similar documents issued by other EU countries. If you are interested in moving here, please contact us. Our lawyers have a lot of experience in dealing with cases of people in most countries who want to relocate to Germany.
Our immigration law firm in Germany is also present in other cities, such as Berlin, if you want to move to the capital of this country.
Can one maintain dual citizenship in Germany?
The demand for German citizenship is significant given that many people desire to live, work, and study in Germany. However, the German legislation is quite complex, which can lead to complicated procedures. If you want to apply for a passport for Germany, our immigration lawyers can help you navigate all the process.
Foreigners moving to Germany on a permanent basis, who want to become German citizens, will generally have to renounce their other citizenship. This is prescribed by the German migration regulations, but foreigners must know that there are a few exemptions from this rule. For example, a person can maintain dual citizenship if he or she is the child of a German citizen and of a foreign citizen.
This right is also given to those who started the process of immigrating to Germany as persons who have German descent and who are considered ‘re-settlers”; the right is given to other family members of such persons. In the case in which a person moving to Germany arrives from a country that does not allow the right to renounce the citizenship with which the person was born, then the German law will make an exemption from its regulations and the foreigner will be entitled to benefit from German citizenship as well.
If you have any questions about German citizenship, we can answer them.
Entry requirements for Germany
If EU citizens can easily enter Germany, as there is no need for a visa in this matter, things are a little bit different for other categories of persons. In the case of non-EU citizens, there are specific regulations that must be observed and respected:
- The passport presented must be valid for at least 3 months prior to the arrival in Germany.
- A valid visa is required to enter Germany.
- Non-EU citizens must prove they have enough funds for the entire stay in Germany, at least EUR 45/day.
- The authorities will solicit the return plane ticket.
One should note that the German authorities have the right to ask foreigners the purpose and the length of the visit, at the time of the arrival. Finally, a stamp will be placed on the passport to show you can legally enter Germany. All the requirements for a German visa can be explained by one of our immigration lawyers in Germany. Our immigration lawyers are at your disposal at any time, so feel free to discuss with our specialists.
We can also advise on how to obtain German citizenship.
Short-stay visa requirements for minors
The parents will make the visa application for their minor children, respecting the conditions imposed.
The necessary documents solicited by the authorities for such a short stay visa for minors are:
- The birth certificate;
- the valid passport of both parents;
- a family court order if one of the parents has the child custody;
- the German application form signed by both parents;
- a notarized parental authorization.
We remind you that you can rely on the support of our specialist in immigration in Germany for assistance and guidance in this matter. Those interested in immigration to Germany are suggested to discuss with experts in the field and avoid any possible misunderstandings.
You can also watch a video on our immigration services in Germany:
Timeframe for a German visa
The Germany visa application process is straightforward and it can be concluded in approximately 15 days if all the conditions are respected and documents provided in time, without any errors. However, if the application is made during a busy season, the processing period might prolong for up to 30 or 60 days. Instead of dealing on your own with a visa application for Germany, you can solicit the legal advice of our immigration lawyers in Germany.
How many foreigners live in Germany?
Germany is one of the main economies of the EU and one of the most developed countries at a global level. Due to its strong economy and certain social benefits, foreigners can obtain here, persons from across the world have constantly been interested in Germany migration. Over the years, the following trends were observed:
• in 1991, the share of foreigners who lived in Germany (calculated from the total population), accounted for 7,6%;
• at the level of 2018, the share of foreigners reached 12,2% of the total population living in Germany;
• in 2018, there were a total of 10,9 million foreigners living in this country, according to the data gathered by the Central Register of Foreign Nationals;
• compared to 2017, this marked an increase of 2,7%, corresponding to a total of 292.000 persons;
• most of the migrants relocating to Germany in 2018 were from European countries, accounting for 67% of all the migrants recorded in that year;
• Romanians account for one of the largest EU populations in Germany (251,971 persons in 2018) along with another important group of EU migrants which is represented by Polish persons (143,646).
We can offer assistance to citizens of EU and non-EU countries who want to apply for a residence permit in Germany.
Our immigration lawyer in Germany is ready to assist you if you want to relocate to this country.
Please feel free to contact our team of immigration lawyers in Germany for complete information.