Depending on their nationality, persons moving to Germany will have to conclude various legal procedures. In the case of Canadian citizens relocating to Germany for a short period of time, of up to 90 days in a total 180 days period, the German legislation does not require them to apply for a short-term visa (the Schengen visa). This means that, as long as they have a valid passport, they can easily arrive here for visiting Germany and the Schengen states.
However, those who want to immigrate to Germany from Canada for a short period of time, and who are not Canadian nationals, will have to follow different regulations. In this specific case, non-Canadian citizens who have a residence permit issued by the Canadian authorities may need to apply for a visa, but this can also depend on the nationality of the applicant; our immigration lawyer in Germany can present more details regarding this specific situation. We can advise on how to apply for a residence permit in Germany.
We can also advise on the conditions of obtaining German citizenship.
Quick Facts | |
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Visa requirements for Canadian nationals | No, for entry and short-term stays, Canadians do not need German visas. |
Special conditions applicable (YES/NO) |
There are no special conditions to meet when immigrating to Germany from Canada. |
Relocation options |
Temporary and permanent residency are the main options to immigrate to Germany. |
Temporary residence options |
– employment, – business, – family reunification, – marriage, – studentship. |
Permanent residence requirements |
5 years of living in Germany based on a temporary residence permit. |
Access to investor/citizenship by investment visa |
The entrepreneur visa is the main pathway to move to Germany from Canada based on investment. |
Timeframe for obtaining a residence permit (approx.) |
2 – 3 weeks to have the documents approved. |
Family reunification visa availability (YES/NO) |
Yes, family reunion is available by filing for a temporary residence permit. |
Investment visa requirements |
EUR 250,000 and the creation of 5 jobs by starting a company. |
Special permanent residence programs for Canadians | Yes, the Youth Mobility Scheme or Working Holiday Visa is a program available in both countries. |
Citizenship requirements |
8 years of living in Germany through naturalization. |
Possibility to acquire real estate (YES/NO) |
Yes, Canadians can buy properties in Germany. |
Germany-Canada double tax treaty (YES/NO) |
Yes, such a treaty has been in place since 1982. |
Immigration services (YES/NO) |
Yes, you can rely on us if you want to relocate to Germany from Canada. |
Post-immigration support (YES/NO) | Yes, we can offer support with residence card renewal and citizenship application. |
Table of Contents
Types of visas available when moving to Germany from Canada
As one of the most appealing countries to move to in Europe, Germany attracts people from all over the world, not only from other European or EU states, even if the latter will find it quite easy to migrate here.
For non-EU citizens, however, there are plenty of visas that can lead to temporary or permanent residency in Germany. Among these:
- the work permit or the job seeker visa for those who come for employment, respectively looking for employment in Germany;
- the family reunification visa which can be obtained by those who have family members already established here;
- the visa for scientists and researchers which is often used by skilled migrants;
- the temporary and long-term residence permits which can be obtained through various means.
There are also other types of German visas that can be obtained for short-term stays in this country. As a matter of fact, Germany eases entrance in the country through specific purpose visas, such a tourism, medical reasons, sport and other cultural activities in order to help foreign citizens apply for any of them as quickly as possible.
Our immigration lawyers in Germany can guide you through the visa or residence application procedure if you want to relocate here from Canada or other non-EU countries.
How can Canadians apply for the Youth Mobility Visa in Germany?
Apart from the usual types of visas that can be obtained by persons who want to immigrate to Germany from Canada, Canadian citizens also have the option of applying for the Youth Mobility Visa. The Youth Mobility Visa was created under the Youth Mobility Agreement signed between Germany and Canada with the purpose of aiding young persons in enhancing their work experience in their field of studies while living in Germany.
According to the German immigration law, the Youth Mobility Visa can be obtained by Canadian citizens who have ages between 18 to 35 years old who want to complete their post-secondary education and work in this country. It must be noted that this type of visa can be acquired only by those who consider moving to Germany for a period of a minimum of 90 days.
Persons who want to relocate to Germany from Canada must be aware that the visa processing can last approximately 3 weeks and that the document is compulsory for developing their activity on the German territory and this is why the formalities have to be taken prior to the arrival in Germany. Some of the basic conditions for obtaining the Youth Mobility Visa are the following:
• the applicant must have the Canadian citizenship and be the holder of a valid Canadian passport;
• must have a minimum age of 18 years old and of maximum 35 years at the moment when the application is made;
• the applicant must not be accompanied by dependent family members if he or she wants to move to Germany from Canada under this type of visa;
• the person must be a young professional who wants to acquire further knowledge on the German culture while having an employment contract in Germany;
• the applicant moving to Germany can also do an internship here or a training necessary for his or her field of studies;
• the visa is also addressed to those who want to visit the country while being able to develop a work activity in Germany.
When applying for this type of visa, the person interested to immigrate to Germany from Canada should verify the list of forms that are to be completed, and the official requirements for this nationality are presented by the German Missions in Canada where the applications have to be submitted. Information on German citizenship can also be found there.
We are at your service if you want to apply for a German residence permit. The procedure depends on whether you are in or outside the country at the time of the submission of the documents. Feel free to contact us and find out how we can help you obtain such an important document that allows you to live here.
Relocating to Germany from Canada and applying for residency
Canadian citizens who want to immigrate to Germany with the purpose of obtaining residency have several options. These are:
- employment which is often employed as Germany offers many well-paid jobs;
- self-employment which is a great solution for small business owners;
- business registration which another option for entrepreneurs interested in launching small and medium-sized companies;
- investment which one of the most appreciated programs by high net worth non-EU citizens;
- marriage which is employed by those who are married to German citizens. After three 3 of legal residency in Germany, spouses or registered same-sex partners of German citizens are eligible for citizenship. At the time of application, they had to be wed or have been a legally recognized partnership for at least 2 years. If you are in this position, you can rely on our immigration lawyers for applying for German citizenship.
- studentship which is available for those who have been accepted by German educational institutions.
If you want to relocate to Germany from Canada and need guidance, all you need to do is select the pathway you are interested in from those above and get in touch with our law firm which can inform you about the procedure.
How to immigrate to Germany from Canada based on employment
Employment is one of the most employed immigration pathways by non-EU citizens. These must first secure jobs with German companies, however, in the case of Canadian citizens this is not difficult, considering many of them are highly skilled people and professionals in their fields of activity.
The immigration procedure is partially completed by the German company hiring staff, which is another reason to choose to move to Germany based on employment.
Once the employer completes its part, the Canadian applicant must also prepare a set of documents that will be filed with the immigration authorities.
Intra-company transfer is also a means to relocate to Germany from Canada based on employment. The procedure is even simpler in this case, considering the Canadian company already has an established presence here.
You can rely on our immigration law firm in Germany if you need more information on how to move here from Canada by securing employment.
Business investment as a means of moving to Germany from Canada
Germany and Canada have outstanding economic relations, most of them relying on trade, however, this is not the only activity a Canadian businessperson can engage in Germany.
Moving to Germany from Canada by starting a business will usually imply a visit to establish the details of registering a company followed by relocation.
Canadian citizens have several options if they decide to become business owners in Germany and obtain the facilities available here, which are quite a few, by the way.
Creating a sole proprietorship is one of the easiest ways, however, this option is usually available for professionals such as medical staff, dentists, or accountants. The second one is the registration of a private limited liability company (the startup is a great option in this sense).
The German investment visa is the third option, however, this implies a capital injection of at least 250,000 euros and the creation of at least 5 full-time jobs, plus managerial experience in running a business.
The investor visa is quite easy to obtain in Germany compared to other European countries and directly targets non-EU citizens which is what makes a good option for Canadian citizens.
If you want to immigrate to Germany from Canada this way, you can count on our law firm for guidance.
Family reunification for Canadian citizens in Germany
People who move to Germany from Canada can also bring their family members with them, as long as they have obtained residence or settlement permits. Relocating with relatives can occur upon immigration or after the Canadian citizen has already become a German resident.
This is one of the main ways through which foreign citizens who live here can reunite with their families and decide to remain here indefinitely. In order to enter Germany, the family members of the main applicant need to obtain visas followed by gaining residency in Germany.
What should be noted about family reunification for those immigrating to Germany from Canada is that this is possible for the spouse or common-law partners, children, and parents of the person who has obtained a legal status here. There are also cases in which distant relatives can join them, however, exceptions apply in rare cases.
In order to bring family members to Germany, Canadian citizens must submit the following information to the local migration authorities:
- a copy of the valid passport of the foreign family member;
- proof that the family member has sufficient funds to support themselves while in Germany;
- a clean criminal record.
Another important aspect is for the Canadian citizens to have appropriate accommodation where all family members can live. For this purpose, he or she must submit proof of the residential address in Germany.
A special situation applies to German residents of Canadian origin bringing a spouse who he or she has recently married. Such a case implies for the German residence cardholder to have been married at least 2 years before bringing the spouse to live with them in this country.
There are many aspects to consider when it comes to family reunification in Germany as a Canadian which is why we kindly invite you to ask for the support of our immigration law firm that can help you prepare for relocation.
Canadian citizens moving to Germany from other EU and EEA countries
Many Canadian citizens live in other European (EU and EEA) countries, and Germany is a member of both EU and EEA. It is simpler for Canadian citizens who are already settled in any of these states to relocate to Germany as they can use their residence cards obtained to enter Germany without completing additional formalities or applying for other visas. Those who hold EU Blue Cards are advantaged when it comes to immigration to Germany as this means they already meet important requirements, such as stable incomes and qualifications to complete various activities.
If you are a Canadian citizen and are planning to come here from another EU or EEA country, you can address our immigration lawyers in Germany for support. We can provide guidance on expedited relocation.
How to obtain German citizenship as a Canadian citizen
Citizens of Canada who immigrate to Germany are eligible for citizenship if they meet certain requirements. One of the most important is for them to have lived in Germany for sufficient years based on permanent residency. It is possible to obtain a German passport by marriage if during the stay here the Canadian citizen marries a German national.
Another important requirement of obtaining citizenship is for the Canadian citizen to have a good command of German. In this sense, it is useful to note that the authorities here provide 3-months classes for foreign citizens interested in integrating into the local community quickly.
Obtaining a German passport as a Canadian citizen comes with many advantages, and our law firm can provide the necessary information about the steps to complete in order to benefit from full rights in this country.
Why choose to move to Germany from Canada?
Both Germany and Canada are important economies. As a matter of fact, they are some of the greatest economies in the world.
This has also created the premises for the two states to have good economic connections which enable the citizens of both countries to travel from one state to another without restrictions. However, when it comes to long-term relocation, Germany can offer multiple chances to Canadians who choose it. The fact that Germany is part of the European Union block is one of the main factors that can attract a non-EU citizen here, as one can engage in various opportunities in any of the EU states, and thus, free travel from one country to another without any restrictions.
If you want to move to Germany from Canada and need guidance on choosing a suitable type of residence permit, do not hesitate to ask for more information from our experienced lawyers.
Here is also a video on the same subject:
How many Canadians live in Germany?
Germany represents one of the European countries with the highest number of foreigners relocated here for employment or for other purposes. The foreign population moving to Germany is generally divided between immigrants, expats, and refugees. Our immigration lawyer in Germany can present the legal procedures for moving here, depending on the category in which the person is included. With regards to the number of expats who chose to move to Germany from Canada, we present the following:
• Germany had a total of 231,000 native English speaking expats (in 2005), out of which 12,929 were Canadians;
• in 2005, there were 1,216 Canadians living in the city of Berlin;
• in 2012, more Canadians decided to move to Germany from Canada and, in that year, there were 2,963 persons relocated to Berlin;
• in 2014, in a study analyzing the quality of life of expats living in Germany, a share of 47% declared that they are satisfied with living in this country, while 20% declared that they are very satisfied with the conditions of living in Germany;
• 50% of the expats living here work as employees or managers in local companies, while 9% of the foreigners are enrolled in local universities.
Persons who are interested to move to Germany from Canada are invited to request more details on the legal steps they should take from our lawyer. Our immigration lawyer in Germany can present other types of visas available for Canadian citizens and can also assist with advice on any other legal procedures foreigners should comply with after their arrival. We can help you obtain the residence permit in Germany.