Germany Guide: Visas & Permits

Which documents do you need when going abroad? What are the regulations on visas and residence permits? Our legal guide will help you understand the paperwork you need to complete before moving abroad.

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  Requirements

  Which papers do you need to come to Germany?

  If you come to live, work or study in Germany, you might need to get a visa, residence permit and/or work permit.

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  Visas for Germany

  Requirements and application procedures

  Depending on your nationality, you could need a visa when coming to Germany. Be aware of that the rules and regulations change quite often, we give you the most common categories.

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  German residence permits

  Types of permits and application procedures

  Excluding EU citizens and citizens of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, who are only required to register with their local Einwohnermeldeamt (registration office), everybody staying in Germany for more than 3 months must obtain a residence permit.

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  Residence registration in Germany

  The ‘Anmeldung’

  If you are going to work or study in Germany or if you will be living there for more than 3 months, you need to get registered as a resident. The registration (Anmeldung) process can be complicated, so it is best to prepare beforehand.

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  Family & friends

  How to bring your loved ones to Germany

  Familiennachzug (family reunion) is the term used to describe the right to bring one's family to Germany if one is already resident in the country.

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  Citizenship

  How to become a German

  German citizenship can only be applied for after a number of years. To become a German citizen, you generally have to be resident in Germany for 8 years and fulfill certain conditions.

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