The conclusion of the Brexit transition period marked the commencement of a new chapter for the United Kingdom. With the UK no longer a member of the EU, British citizens are now bound by immigration conditions. Now, those interested in moving to Germany from the UK must follow specific procedures, which can be presented by our immigration lawyer.
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What should a British citizen do when moving to Germany?
As a UK citizen relocating to an EU member state, it is legally required to apply for a residence permit. This regulation must be met if the stay in any of the EU member states is longer than three months. For this purpose, a foreigner from the UK must register with the local registration office in the region where he or she lives for a period of a maximum of 14 days from the arrival day.
It must be noted that the right to relocation to Germany will be maintained after the Withdrawal Agreement is ended, but the procedures may involve new steps. For example, UK citizens will need to have a passport when moving to Germany, as this is a compulsory document when applying for a residence permit.
Currently, British citizens already living in Germany have to apply for a new residence permit, as per the regulations of the Withdrawal Agreement; this is done to secure their rights to reside in this country. At the moment, persons living in the UK interested in German immigration can apply for a residence permit up until the 30th of June 2021. After this, new rules will be imposed. The regulations have not yet been finalized by the authorities of the German state, but they will be made available in due time.
We can also advise on how to relocate and obtain German citizenship. If you want to immigrate to Germany from the UK, our team is ready to assist you.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa requirements for UK nationals | British citizens do not need entry visas for Germany if the stay is less than 90 days |
|
Special conditions applicable (YES/NO) |
German residence permits must be obtained by UK citizens |
|
Relocation options |
– Work visas; – student visas; – investor visas; – temporary and permanent residency permits |
| Temporary residence options | Temporary residence permits are required for British nationals staying in Germany for more than 90 days |
| Permanent residence requirements |
UK citizens must live here for 5 uninterrupted years to qualify for permanent residency in Germany |
| Access to investor/citizenship by investment visa |
YES, UK citizens can apply for investor and self-employment visas |
| Timeframe for obtaining a residence permit (approx.) |
German residence visas are issued in approx. 20 business days |
| Family reunification visa availability (YES/NO) |
YES, family reunion visas are available for UK nationals bringing family members to Germany |
| Investment visa requirements |
EUR 250,000 is the minimum amount necessary to move to Germany based on investment |
| Special permanent residence programs | NO, Germany does not have special residence schemes |
| Citizenship requirements |
– 3 years through marriage; – 8 years through naturalization |
| Possibility to acquire real estate (YES/NO) |
Yes, real estate acquisition is available for British nationals |
| Germany-UK double tax treaty (YES/NO) |
YES, Germany and the Uk have a double tax treaty |
| Immigration services (YES/NO) |
– Temporary residence application support; – employment relocation services; – German citizenship application solutions. |
| Post-immigration support (YES/NO) | YES, we offer support in document renewal, and registration with the local authorities. |
The main ways to obtain a German residence permit as a UK national
There are two pathways to apply for residency when you move to Germany from the UK:
- the first one is by coming to Germany based on an entry visa and apply for the residence card while you are in the country;
- the second one is by filing from the UK.
The procedures are similar, however, the second option requires filing for the correct visa from the beginning. Our immigration lawyers in Germany can guide you, no matter the pathway you decide on. We can also assist with the drafting of the necessary papers for a correct submission.
Following your arrival, you need to register with the local authorities no later than 2 weeks from entering Germany.
How to immigrate to Germany from the UK as an employee
For many non-EU citizens, employment is a safe option when it comes to immigration to Germany. This is also the case of British nationals who can obtain several types of work visas. They can apply for:
- regular work visas;
- self-employed visas;
- visas for specialists.
It is also worth noting that Germany has recently amended the Skilled Immigration Act, which provides for simpler requirements when filing for an employment visa as a specialist.
If you plan to relocate to Germany from the UK based on employment you can apply for:
- the EU Blue Card, which now benefits from less stringent requirements salary-wise;
- dedicated visas for IT specialists;
- an extension of the shortage occupations list;
- work visas for skilled workers with non-academic vocational training;
- visas for skilled workers with a bachelor’s degree.
The law now enables the last 2 categories of immigrants to obtain German residence permits directly if they are first-time comers and meet all the relocation requirements.
Intra-company transfer and D visas are also a possibility if you will be working in a German company held by a British one, respectively, if you plan to seek employment.
This option is definitely worth considering if you are interested in moving to Germany from the UK, so you can discuss how these new legislation changes can benefit you with one of our immigration lawyers.
Types of residence permits in Germany
If you are immigrating to Germany from the UK, please find information below about temporary and permanent residence permits as well as the EU blue card:
- Temporary residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)
- Purpose: Before moving to Germany from the UK, please note that the temporary residence permit is granted for specific purposes such as work, family reunification, study, or other designated reasons.
- Validity: Typically issued for a limited period, usually aligned with the purpose for which it is granted. Renewal is often possible, depending on the circumstances.
- Requirements: The requirements for obtaining a temporary residence permit vary based on the purpose. For example, work permits may require a job offer, while family reunification permits require proof of family relationship.
- Conditions: Holders of a temporary residence permit must comply with the conditions specified in the permit. This may include restrictions on the type of work, studies, or residence location.
If you are planning to relocate to Germany from the UK and want to apply for a temporary residence permit, our lawyers can help you. Please get in touch with our immigration lawyers in Germany for further assistance.
2. Permanent settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
- Purpose: The permanent settlement permit allows long-term residents to live and work in Germany without time restrictions.
- Eligibility: Generally granted after five years of legal and continuous residence in Germany, often holding a temporary residence permit.
- Requirements: Applicants usually need to demonstrate sufficient German language skills, financial stability, and integration into German society.
- Benefits: Provides greater stability and freedom, allowing individuals to live and work in Germany without the need for periodic renewals.
If you have moved to Germany from the UK and now you are eligible to apply for permanent residency, please consult our lawyers. They will not only guide you about German migration but also offer you comprehensive practical assistance regarding residency application.
3. EU blue card
- Purpose: The EU blue card is designed for highly skilled non-EU workers, facilitating their access to the German labor market. If you are moving to Germany from the UK, and are interested in applying for an EU blue card, please consult our lawyers.
- Criteria: Requires a valid job offer with a certain minimum salary, which is often higher than that required for other work permits.
- Duration: Initially issued for a limited period, and renewal is possible. After a certain period, Blue Card holders may apply for a permanent settlement permit.
- Benefits: Offers advantages such as easier family reunification, the ability to move between EU countries, and the possibility of obtaining a permanent residence permit.
- Conditions: Holders must work in the job for which the Blue Card was issued. Changing jobs may require approval, and periods of unemployment are generally limited.
Please get in touch with our lawyers if you want to immigrate to Germany. It’s crucial for individuals seeking residence permits in Germany to carefully review the specific requirements and conditions associated with each permit type. Additionally, keeping abreast of any changes in immigration laws and policies is advisable, as regulations may be subject to updates. So, if you are planning to relocate to Germany, please consult with our immigration lawyers for accurate and current information.
We also have an infographic on this subject below:
How can a foreign person apply for a residence permit in Germany?
There are various types of residence permits, depending on your goals and planned length of stay in Germany. You must make the appropriate residence permit choice. The sort of German residence permit you apply for will determine your entire application process, including the paperwork and expenses.
Considering that the residence permit is the main document that allows a foreigner to live in this country, our immigration lawyer in Germany has prepared the basic information one should know when applying for this type of document. Residence permits can be issued for a temporary stay or a permanent stay, and they can be obtained on legal grounds such as employment in Germany, studies, getting married to a German citizen, or family reunification programs. A German investment visa is also possible, under certain conditions. Currently, a foreigner who wants to immigrate to Germany from the UK under this type of visa should prepare the following papers:
- present a valid passport issued in the country of residence;
- have a valid reason for staying in this country, as presented above;
- provide information on the financial situation, which should be sufficient to live in Germany;
- the German migration rules stipulate that if a person arrives here for employment purposes, the application should contain a letter on the job offer obtained from a local employer;
- a similar letter must be obtained from a local university, in the case of those applying for a residence permit issued for study purposes.
The German immigration law prescribes that a foreigner can apply for a residence permit from his or her home country, if the duration of the stay is longer than 90 days and the person is aware of this fact before leaving the country, or it can be done from here, upon arrival. More information on the steps for the issuance of a residence permit can be obtained from our immigration lawyer in Germany, who can advise UK citizens on other matters as well, so do not hesitate to consult us. We can also help you apply for citizenship.
Having German citizenship grants you rights and freedoms that non-citizens do not have. As a German citizen, you will have access to freedom of movement, to the German labor market without restrictions, and voting rights. So, if you want to obtain it, make sure you qualify for it and get in touch with our lawyers for support. We are at your service if you want to immigrate to Germany from the UK.
How many British people live in Germany?
Germany is one of the leading economies of the EU and one of the most developed economic markets in Europe. Although the UK has a strong economy, ranking as one of the wealthiest countries at a global level, numerous UK citizens have relocated to Germany due to various reasons.
As a general rule, a large share of the British people moving to Germany are professionals in their field of expertise, being high earners in the UK, as well as in Germany.
According to the German Statistics Agency, at the level of 2024:
- the number of British citizens living in EU countries was 1.2 million;
- out of these, 180,000 were living in Germany;
- more than 85,000 had British and German citizenship.
Also, considering Germany has passed a new Citizenship Law, it is expected that the number of British people with dual nationality to increase in the near future. If you need more information on the new provisions of the law, you can rely on our German immigration lawyers. Furthermore, German citizenship refers to the legal status of being recognized as a citizen of Germany. It is primarily determined by the principle of jus sanguinis, where citizenship is passed down through bloodline, meaning individuals can become German citizens if they have at least one parent who is a German citizen. There are also limited provisions for jus soli, granting citizenship to those born on German soil under specific conditions. If you are interested in learning about other ways in which you can get citizenship in Germany, the services of our lawyers are at your disposal.
We can guide you through obtaining a residence permit when immigrating to Germany. We can also help those who want to move to Germany from Canada.
Immigration statistics in Germany
In 2022, Germany was home to approximately 2.67 million immigrants. Throughout the timeframe, there were variations in the numbers, with a notable peak in 2015 during the height of Europe’s refugee crisis. The considerably lower figures observed in 2020 can be linked to the initial year of the coronavirus. The subsequent decline is likely a result of the restrictions imposed by the German government on entry into the country, aimed at managing and curbing the spread of the disease. If you are interested in moving to Germany, please find below its immigration statistics from the years 2020 to 2022:
- In 2020, the immigrant population in Germany was 1.19 million;
- In 2021, the immigrant population increased to 1.32 million;
- In 2022, Germany welcomed about 2.67 million immigrants.
If you are also planning to relocate to the UK from Germany, please contact us.
