Immigration to Germany

Advantages of Moving to Germany

Germany has a high standard of living, and skilled labor is well paid. The laws are strictly observed in the country, so that citizens could enjoy numerous freedoms.

Local residents are calm about representatives of other ethnic groups and religions. This is not surprising, because more than a quarter of modern Germans have foreign roots.

The authorities of the country consider the relocation of skilled migrants to be one of the priorities, so they try to create favorable conditions for them. However, not everyone is welcomed. But more on that later.

Both locals and foreigners enjoy such social benefits as high-quality medicine and education. Schools and universities in Germany are free of charge, and German universities are considered among the best in the world.

Disadvantages of Immigration

Germany only allows second citizenship in exceptional cases, so you will need to choose which of the passports is more important to you. Those who earn a lot have to expect high income taxes. The German bureaucracy is the reverse side of order. You will need to collect a lot of documents, and an error can be expensive. Violators of numerous rules have to pay high fines.

How to Move to Germany?

The relocation scheme is similar for most cases. The first step is to understand on what basis you will do this and whether your chances are good. After that, you will need to collect the documents and get a national D visa. You can move to the country on the basis of it and apply for a residence permit, necessarily on the same basis. After a few years of residence in the country, you can apply for permanent residence, and sometimes immediately for citizenship.

One of the main requirements is knowledge of German. For some migration options, the entry level A1 is sufficient, for others you will need to know it well.

General Documents for Immigration

The main package includes:

• the international passport;
• the internal passport;
• 3 photos;
• medical insurance;
• a certificate confirming the knowledge of the German language.

All documents must be translated into German and notarized.

Popular ways to move to Germany

Germany

German residence permit for wealthy individuals

Residence permit For 6 months

from 60 000 € annual

Germany

German Residence Permit for Self-employment

Residence permit For 12 months

from 100 000 €

Immigration Via Education

Getting a degree in Germany is one of the best options for moving. It will be much easier for a specialist with a German diploma and experience of living in Germany to find a job than for a foreigner who is trying to do it from abroad. And after graduation their parents or other relatives can move to the country.

German education is highly valued in the world, and studying at the university is free. The student only needs to pay a semester fee (up to €300 per half-year), which finances preferential travel, access to the library, additional courses, etc. The only exception is the universities of Baden-Württemberg, where one semester costs about €1,500.

The procedure

There are no entrance exams in German universities, but there are a number of general requirements for applicants:

• Language proficiency: a minimum level of B2/C1. For those who fall short, there are language courses at universities, but for admission to them, as a rule, a level of at least B1 is required.
• Completed secondary education according to German standards. And this is 12-13 years of study. 

An intermediate stage may be a year of study at a university in their home country or in another country, but many students come to Germany in Studienkolleg. These are special educational institutions attached to universities, which during the year "pull up" foreigners to study in German universities. Studying there is also free (again, except for Baden-Württemberg), but the student will have to pay for their life in Germany in full, so applicants are checked for the availability of funds for living in the country. In addition, they have quite serious entrance exams.

During their studies, students can work, but with restrictions. In general, employment should not exceed 20 hours per week with a maximum salary of €450 per month. You can work more on the territory of the university in a specialty close to the training profile (assistant at the department).

The documents

Besides the general package you will also need: 

• A certificate or other document confirming education.
• An invitation from an educational institution.
• Motivation letter.
• A proof of sufficient funds (if you plan to study at preparatory courses) - €10,000 per year.
• Underage students will also need notarized parental consent and confirmation from a guardian in Germany.

Immigration Via Employment

In 2020, a new migration law took effect in Germany, which significantly simplified the movement of specialists with higher and special education to the country. Unlike many other EU countries, such a noticeable obstacle as the mandatory pre-publication of a vacancy in the general database has disappeared. This created an advantage in getting a job for residents of the European Union, and now foreigners compete with them on an equal footing.

However, another important requirement has not gone away: the language knowledge. You must have a certificate with a level not lower than B1, for doctors the lower threshold is B2. As well as a diploma confirming the qualification. But, if you have these documents, you can move to the country, even without having a contract on hand. However, you will need to confirm the availability of means of subsistence for the months that you will be looking for work.

Confirmation of Education and Qualifications

A foreign diploma or other document attesting to the acquired profession must be compared with the German one. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has created a special database, which includes most of the educational institutions of the world with a note on the comparability of diplomas. If your specialty or university is not included in the database or there is no match for the diploma, you will need to evaluate the document of education. This is done at the Office for Foreign Education (ZAB).

However, it's not enough for a number of positions. There are so-called "regulated professions" in the country, which include doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers and architects. Representatives of these specialties will need to additionally study, undergo practical training, and pass state exams. Learn more about this on a special resource.

The Blue Card

The most comfortable option for immigration for professionals is the Blue Card. To obtain it, the applicant must meet the following conditions:

• Have a confirmed higher education in Germany with a degree not lower than a specialist or master's degree.
• Get an employment contract valid for at least a year. The work must meet the qualifications.
• The amount of the annual salary specified in the contract must not be lower than a specially calculated threshold. In 2020, it is generally €55,200, and for highly sought - €43,056. This category includes engineers, medical professionals, scientists, IT specialists, and others.

The Benefits of the Blue Card

• More favorable working conditions: after the end of the contract, you have 3 months for new employment, while after a year and a half of work, you can look for a place in any EU country.
• The best conditions for the family: the spouse of the card holder gets the opportunity of free employment without language requirements.
• Accelerated permanent residence: after 33 months – in general, after 21 - with knowledge of German at the level of at least B1.

Learn more about the features of the Blue Card in Germany.

Documents

To move on a professional basis, you will need:

• A diploma or other certificate of education.
• An employment record.
• A description of work experience.
• An employment contract or proof of sufficient funds-for those who are going to look for work on arrival.
• The proof of knowledge of foreign languages other than German – if any.
• A statement of intent to work in Germany.

Business Immigration to Germany

Those who are going to open their own business or conduct a private practice can get a residence permit in Germany. It is not necessary to make an impressive investment or specifically create jobs. The main thing is to present a convincing business plan, from which it will be clear that you are actually going to develop a business in the country that is useful for the economy as a whole or for a particular land. Although they usually talk about IT and innovation, it can be a company of any field of activity.

Documents

• A business plan approved by the local authorities.
• A confirmed diploma and other educational documents.
• Registration documents for the company.
• The financing plan.
• Proof of security in old age (for candidates over 45 years of age).
• A lease or home ownership agreement.

Immigration for Financially Independent Individuals

Wealthy foreigners can move to Germany without starting a business, buying a house or even passing a German proficiency exam. It is enough to rent a house or apartment, and the most important thing is to show a sufficient level of income. Formally, the amount is not specified in the law, but according to the experience of lawyers, the capital in various assets (company shares, securities, real estate, etc.) should be at least €1 million, and the monthly passive income must start from €5,000.

It is assumed that the person moving under this program will take a rest. However, if their relatives have a desire to work for hire or start their own business, they can do it only with a special permit.

Documents

• A confirmation of the presence of capital (including in the ownership of relatives).
• A certificate of ownership or lease of real estate.
• A certificate from a local bank account with a sufficient amount of money.

Marriage Immigration to Germany

You can move to Germany on a fiancé visa, if your permanent partner lives in this country. At the same time, you will not be required to have a good knowledge of the language (A1 level is enough), nor to confirm your finances. However, you need to prepare for the fact that the country will check the reality of your relationship. For 3-4 years after the move, the authorities may be interested in whether your marriage exists in reality.

In Germany, as in most EU countries, same-sex marriage is legal, so the partner's gender will not be an obstacle to obtaining a permit.

Documents

• An extract from the internal passport, indicating the current marital status.
• Documents on marital status (marriage, divorce, death of a spouse).
• A proof of marital legal capacity (from the registry office at the place of residence or through the consulate in Germany).
• Certificates from the German Civil Registry Office confirming the intention to marry.
• A passport of the future spouse from Germany and confirmation of the home address.
• The partner's statement of acceptance of obligations for the maintenance of the future spouse.

If the marriage is concluded on the territory of your country, the reason for the move will be family reunification.

Family Reunification in Germany

The closest relatives of a German citizen or a person who has a permanent status there have the right to enter upon family reunification: the official spouses and minor children or parents (in relation to the minor children) of the citizens of Germany. Those wishing to move elderly parents or other relatives will have to prove that they need medical care or permanent care, as well as make financial commitments.

Documents

• A confirmation of family ties (marriage and birth certificates).
• An invitation from a relative in Germany.
• A passport and proof of the inviting party's address.
• An obligation from the inviting party to take on the costs of maintaining the family.

Immigration to Germany on the Jewish Side

Ethnic Jews or their descendants residing in the former USSR (with the exception of the Baltic States) have the right to immigrate to Germany. It is necessary that at least one of the parents or grandparents be a Jew, with grandfathers everything is more difficult. 

There are several requirements for candidates: they must not be adherents of other religions other than Judaism, do not have a residence permit in Israel, the United States or other countries outside the CIS, no criminal record and no significant positions in the former USSR.

There is another important point: they should have a favorable forecast of integration. This is a system for assessing the chances of immigrants to integrate into German society and provide for themselves. Young people (ideally under 30) with higher education and work experience have good chances (and thus opportunities to succeed in their new homeland). Having children, knowing German and having relatives in Germany also increases the chances.

Read more on that here.

Documents

• Proof of belonging to the Jewish people (birth certificates, Soviet passports, etc.). The originals must be issued before 1990.
• A package of documents for the forecast of integration: diplomas, language certificates, employment record, certificate from the local Jewish community, and others).
• Marriage certificates and birth certificates of children.
• Confirmation of the availability of sufficient funds.
• Approval from the German Jewish community.

"Late Immigrants": a Program for Ethnic Germans

Ethnic Germans from the territory of the Soviet Union and a number of Eastern European countries in the post-war years with their direct descendants, have the right to be repatriated to Germany. Accordingly, to prove that you belong to the German people, you will need to find the documents of your ancestors, demonstrate your metrics with the indication of German nationality and knowledge of the language at least level B1.

An important point is that after collecting the documents, you will need to submit a preliminary application to the Federal Administrative Office (Bundesverwaltungsamt, BVA). If the answer is positive, you can count on permanent residence. Learn more about the Spätaussiedler program.

Documents

• Certificates of German ancestors who stayed on the territory of the USSR or Eastern Europe at the end of the war or since March 31, 1952 - for forcibly displaced persons. It is necessary to add proof of kinship to them.
• The applicant's documents with the indication "German" in the "nationality" column. If this field is not filled in, you will have to seek to establish the nationality in a separate order, often this is done through the court.
• Notification of a positive decision from the BVA.

Humanitarian Immigration to Germany

Germany grants asylum to refugees, but under certain conditions. First, it is necessary to arrive in the country legally and directly from the homeland, and not through third countries. The second is to provide convincing evidence that you or your immediate family members were actually harassed in your home country.

We are talking about harassment on the basis of race, nationality, religion, political views, belonging to minorities, and so on. Also, those who have fled from war, mass starvation and other disasters can get asylum. If a refugee enters the country illegally, they still have a chance to get asylum, but the approach will be much stricter.

Documents

• Despite the fact that refugees may have left their homeland in a hurry, they must have identity documents (passport, driver's license, etc.).
• Evidence of harassment in their homeland. These may include medical certificates – in the case of physical violence, received threatening letters, and even news reports.

Acquisition of the German Citizenship

A German passport gives you additional rights, compared to a residence permit or permanent residence, but to get it you will have to give up your first citizenship, so not everyone takes this step.

The main requirements for obtaining it are the permanent residence in the country on the basis of legal status. The minimum term varies depending on the reason for the move and ranges from 3 to 8 years. The second mandatory point is the knowledge of German at the level of at least B1. At a higher level, it is possible to get a passport faster.

It is also necessary that the candidate is integrated into German life (has a job, recognizes common values, etc.). For the last point, you will need to pass the citizenship test and answer 33 not too difficult questions about the state structure, culture, and history of the country. You can check the questionary here.

Documents

• A residence permit card or other document granting the right to reside in the country.
• A certificate of language proficiency.
• A proof of residence in Germany for the required period.
• A certificate of no criminal record.
• A confirmation of the level of income.
• The results of the citizenship test.