The legal requirements for obtaining residency in Germany vary based on the nationality of the foreigner moving here for various purposes. Thus, the German legislation distinguishes between foreigners who are citizens of the European Union (EU) and non-EU citizens. The residency criteria can also vary depending on the person’s legal status and on the duration of their stay in this country.
Read below about the requirements and the services provided by our immigration lawyers in Germany in relation to obtaining such a permit.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit types | Short-term, long-term, EU residence cards |
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.) | Approx. 2-3 weeks |
Temporary residence permit validity | 2 years |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence | Valid passport, application form, proof of accommodation, proof of stable income for self-sustenance, documents indicating the reason of relocation |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) | YES, with the local municipality |
| Dependents can join the temporary permit holder (Yes/No) | YES, it is possible to obtain a family reunion visa |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes | Temporary residency in Germany is issued through investments |
| Types of investments available for residency purposes | Business and job creation, real estate acquisition can lead to residency in Germany |
| Minimum investment amount | EUR 250,000 is the minimum amount to be invested to acquire residency in Germany |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence | 5 years |
| Residency for individuals married to a citizen of the country | 2 years of marriage and 3 years of living in Germany can lead to residency by marriage |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence | Application form, proof of contributing to the social security system for at least 60 months, valid passport, proof of self-sufficiency, other documents |
| Naturalization requirements | Speaking German, knowing the German culture |
| Citizenship after permanent residence | 8 years of living in Germany |
| Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No) | YES, dual citizenship is now permitted in Germany |
| Visa types | Work, study, family reunion, job seeker, entrepreneur, etc. |
Application process | Please visit the local Ausländerbehörde, which is the German Immigration Office. |
Financial requirements (yes/no) | Yes, demonstrate financial means to support yourself. |
| Health insurance (yes/no) | Yes, mandatory health insurance coverage during your stay. |
| Biometric data | Biometric data like fingerprints and photos may be collected. |
| EU blue card | For highly skilled non-EU workers in specified fields. |
| Refugee status | Submit your application at the German embassy in your country of origin. |
| Living cost | On average it’s almost $1533. |
| Education | Germany is known for its high-quality education system, which is available to both German citizens and expat families. |
| EU citizens | Citizens of EU member states enjoy the privilege of unrestricted movement within the European Union. |
| Tax year | Same as the calendar year |
| Taxation | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| State/local income tax | 0% |
| Visa-free access | German citizens have visa-free access to 159 countries. |
| German passport | According to the Passport Index, the German passport ranks second in terms of power. |
Table of Contents
What are the main types of residence permits that I can obtain in Germany?
As a foreigner, you are eligible for:
- a temporary residence permit;
- a permanent residence card, which is issued after meeting the minimum stay requirement.
This means that you will first be issued a temporary residence permit in Germany. Also, applying for a permanent residence permit is not mandatory if you want to return to your home country or move to another state.
What are the main options for obtaining a German residence permit?
There are several options for foreign citizens who want to move and obtain residency in Germany. These are:
- residency by employment, which is one of the safest ways of moving to Germany;
- residency through self-employment, which is another good option for foreigners immigrating to Germany;
- residency through business establishment, which is a great solution for foreign entrepreneurs;
- residency by marriage and studentship are also options for foreign citizens from non-EU states;
- residency by investment is also a possibility for foreign investors who want to establish themselves in this country.
These options are all available for non-EU citizens moving here.
How can I obtain residency by employment in Germany?
Foreigners coming from outside the EU must first secure employment contracts, followed by moving to Germany. These are required to file the following documents before relocating:
- the valid passport;
- recent photographs;
- a bank statement indicating the applicant has sufficient funds to sustain him/herself before earning money here;
- the employment contract;
- health insurance;
- proof of residential address (a rental agreement can be signed before arrival).
Employment is one of the safest ways for both EU and non-EU citizens who want to relocate to Germany.
Here is also an infographic on German residence permit:
What are the conditions for applying for residency in Germany by setting up a business?
Residency by investment requires the foreign entrepreneur to invest at least 250,000 euros and create at least 5 full-time jobs in order to obtain a German residence permit, which is also a great way to citizenship here.
For those seeking to move here as self-employed individuals or sole traders, a business plan and proof of experience, qualification, and references can help with relocating here and obtaining a German residence permit.
How do I obtain residency in Germany through marriage?
It implies filing specific documents that attest to the relationship between the spouses (the marriage certificate is usually required). If the couple registered their marriage in another country, the marriage certificate must be translated into German before being submitted.
The German citizen or permanent resident must:
- submit proof of having an address where the foreign spouse can live;
- indicate proof of being able to support the foreign spouse.
The foreign spouse, on the other hand, must have a good command of German (usually a B1 level is required).
Do I need to apply for a residence permit in Germany if I am an EU/EEA citizen?
You don’t need to apply for a temporary residence permit, as you only need to register your presence in Germany with the closest police station in the city you live. However, you do need to apply for a permanent residence permit once you meet the minimum living requirements, which is 5 years.
How long does it take to obtain permanent residency in Germany?
Germany has different rules for obtaining residency here based on the reasons for immigration and the type of temporary residence permit holders. Among these, we mention the following:
- 5 years for professionals working as freelancers and sole traders;
- 4 years for those who came here as professional workers and researchers;
- 3 years for self-employed individuals and foreign family members of German residents or citizens;
- 2 years for those who are skilled workers who have superior studies or vocational training;
- 33 months for those who have obtained EU Blue Cards in other states of the Union.
Are there any specific requirements for foreign citizens who want to obtain permanent residence in Germany in 2026?
Yes, as a non-EU citizen, you must meet the following criteria to become eligible for German permanent residency:
- the minimum 5-year living requirement, which is the same for any foreign citizen;
- you must also submit proof of contributing at least 60 months to the German pension system;
- you must have a minimum B1 knowledge of the German language;
- you must not live on social benefits;
- you must also have a clean criminal record;
- you must have adequate living conditions.
Are there any exceptions from the 5-year living requirements to obtain German permanent residency?
Yes, EU Blue Card holders can apply for permanent residency after 3 years of living in Germany. This also applies to their family members. However, when living with family members as an EU Blue Card holder, specific housing conditions must be met.
What is the minimum salary in Germany? How about the average?
The minimum salary in Germany at the level of 2026 is 13.90 euros gross per hour, which means a monthly salary of approximately 2,400 euros before taxes. With respect to the average salary, it is around 4,450 euros per month before taxes.
Please watch our video below:
What are some of the services you can help me with when moving to Germany?
We can assist with the application for a residence permit, which implies drafting and filing the correct set of papers. We can also help you rent a property and register with the local authorities, as well as guide you in registering for healthcare and social security as soon as you arrive and settle in Germany.
If you already live in Germany, our lawyers are at your service with residence permit renewal services.
We invite foreigners to address our immigration lawyer in Germany for extensive information on the documents one must prepare for the process of obtaining German residency.
