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.
Table of Contents
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. |
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:
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)
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
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.
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:
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.
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 persons moving to Germany are made professionals in their field of expertise, being high earners in the UK, as well as in Germany. Regarding the number of UK citizens living in Germany, we present the following data:
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.
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:
If you are also planning to relocate to the UK from Germany, please contact us.
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.