Germany

Germany · Europe (EU) · updated 06.09.2026

High salaries and stability. Reuniting with a partner's parents almost never works — only in cases of exceptional dependency. The working language is English at B2+ or German.

Some descriptions for this country are still Russian only: 91% translated. Numbers, prices and timelines are complete.

Entry

Entry rules depend on citizenship. Choose a passport to see the requirement for that one.

Work and visas

Salary in IT: $ 73 970 – $ 125 180
Median: $ 91 040
Visa speed: 6-12 weeks (fast-track procedure)
Degree required: no
Language at work: B2+ (or German)
Changing employer: Blue Card: the first 12 months from approval

Visa types: EU Blue Card · Opportunity Card · Skilled Worker Visa

Employers: SAP, Zalando, N26, Delivery Hero, Bonial

Every fee rate is set by the Aufenthaltsverordnung; the authority has no single tariff page. Issuing a residence permit, an EU Blue Card or an ICT card costs 100 EUR (section 45), a Mobile ICT card 80 EUR, a settlement permit 113 EUR in the general case, 147 EUR for a highly qualified specialist and 124 EUR for a self-employed person (section 44), an EU long-term residence permit 109 EUR (section 44a) and a national category D visa 75 EUR (section 46). Other sections of the same act move those amounts: section 45a adds 35 EUR for express production, section 45b cuts the fee by 44 EUR when the permit is a sticker in the passport instead of an electronic card, section 45c sets 67 EUR for re-issuing a card, section 50 halves the rate for minors, section 52 exempts refugees and holders of subsidiary protection, and section 52a puts Turkish citizens covered by the EU-Turkey association agreement on the same rate as a German identity card. That is why the state authorities print not one amount on a permit page but a ladder of four or five. The accelerated skilled worker procedure (section 81a of the Aufenthaltsgesetz) is not a separate ground but a way of running the case, and it costs 411 EUR under section 47(1) no. 15 of the Aufenthaltsverordnung. The subsistence threshold for study and training is tied to the maximum BAföG rate and therefore differs by programme: 992.00 EUR a month for university study, in-company further training and school attendance, 959.00 EUR for vocational training and 1,091.20 EUR for a language course and for qualification recognition measures. The EU Blue Card thresholds are published each year in the Bundesanzeiger by the federal interior ministry, and the current year's figures are printed by the federal employment agency. Document lists for grounds described by the Berlin state immigration office come from its pages; for grounds it does not cover they come from the Bavarian public services portal, where one list serves a whole thematic section and is therefore shorter.

Long-term visas and residence permits

Skilled worker with vocational training (section 18a)

Work

term 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: Rate under section 45 of the Aufenthaltsverordnung: issuing a residence permit, an EU Blue Card or an ICT card costs 100 EUR, the same whether the permit runs for up to a year or longer. The same section sets 96 EUR for a renewal of up to three months, 93 EUR for a longer renewal and 98 EUR for re-issue when the purpose of stay changes.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Skilled worker with academic degree (section 18b)

Work

term 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

EU Blue Card, general salary threshold (section 18g)

Work

term 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 57 697 a yearfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

EU Blue Card, shortage occupations and new graduates (section 18g)

Work

term 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 52 273 a yearfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

EU Blue Card for IT professionals without a degree (section 18g)

Work

term 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 52 273 a yearfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

EU Blue Card long-term mobility (section 18i)

Work

term 48 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence permit for experienced professionals (section 19c)

Work

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

ICT card for intra-corporate transferees (section 19)

Work

term 36 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

ICT card for trainees (section 19(3))

Work

term 12 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Mobile ICT card (section 19b)

Work

term 36 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 91,0processing time not published

Fee: Rate under section 45 of the Aufenthaltsverordnung: issuing a Mobile ICT card costs 80 EUR and renewing it 70 EUR. The other permits on the same page cost more: 100 EUR to issue, 96 EUR to renew for up to three months and 93 EUR to renew for longer.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Researcher permit (section 18d)

Work

term 12 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing 60 days

official source · read 2026-09-03

Mobile researcher permit (section 18f)

Work

term 12 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Permit for qualification recognition measures (section 16d(1))

Study

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 242 a monthfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Recognition partnership permit (section 16d(3))

Work

term 12 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Permit during recognition procedure started abroad (section 16d(4))

Study

term 12 morenewablecounts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Opportunity Card for job search (section 20a)

Job seeking

term 12 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Post-study job search permit (section 20)

Job seeking

term 18 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Permit to seek a study or training place (section 17)

Study

term 9 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Self-employment permit (section 21(1))

Startup

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Self-employment for graduates and researchers (section 21(2a))

Startup

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Founder scholarship permit (section 21(2b))

Startup

term 18 monot renewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Freelance permit (section 21(5))

Startup

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Working Holiday and Youth Mobility permit (section 19c)

Working holiday

term 12 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Au pair permit (section 19c and section 12 BeschV)

Work

term 12 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Employment permit for privileged nationalities (section 26(1) BeschV)

Work

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Western Balkans employment rule (section 26(2) BeschV)

Work

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Care assistant permit (section 22a BeschV)

Work

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Professional driver permit (section 24a BeschV)

Work

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

European Voluntary Service permit (section 19e)

Work

term 12 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Employment permit for qualified tolerated persons (section 19d)

Work

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence permit for civil servants (section 19c(4))

Work

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Employment in the public interest (section 19c(3))

Work

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Student residence permit (section 16b)

Study

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 129 a monthfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Study mobility from another EU state (section 16c)

Study

term 12 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyprocessing time not published

Fee: A stay under section 16c runs on a notification by the host university rather than an application by the foreign national, and section 45 of the Aufenthaltsverordnung sets no fee for it: the section lists only the issue and renewal of a residence permit, an EU Blue Card and the ICT cards.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Study-related traineeship permit (section 16e)

Study

term 6 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 114processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-03

In-company vocational training permit (section 16a(1))

Study

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 091 a monthfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

In-company further training permit (section 16a(1))

Study

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 129 a monthfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

School-based vocational training permit (section 16a(2))

Study

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedincome from $ 1 091 a monthfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Language course permit (section 16f(1))

Study

term 12 monot renewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyincome from $ 1 242 a monthfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

School attendance and pupil exchange permit (section 16f)

Study

term 12 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyincome from $ 1 129 a monthfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Vocational training permit for persons obliged to leave (section 16g)

Study

term 24 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence permit for persons granted asylum (section 25(1))

Other

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: The state portal prints three rates on the page for this ground: 100.00 EUR for an adult, 50.00 EUR for a minor and “no fee” for refugees, holders of subsidiary protection and recipients of social benefits. The portal names no unconditional amount that fits this ground.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence permit for recognised refugees and subsidiary protection (section 25(2))

Other

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence permit where deportation is barred (section 25(3))

Other

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Temporary residence on urgent humanitarian grounds (section 25(4))

Other

term 6 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyprocessing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence permit for victims of trafficking (section 25(4a))

Other

term 12 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyprocessing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence permit where departure is impossible (section 25(5))

Other

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyprocessing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence permit for well-integrated young people (section 25a)

Other

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: The state authority prints three rates on the page for this ground: 100.00 EUR for an adult, 50.00 EUR for a minor and no fee where the applicant receives benefits under SGB II, SGB XII or the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act; a digital photograph taken at the self-service terminal costs another 6.00 EUR.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence permit for sustainably integrated persons (section 25b)

Other

term 24 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Admission from abroad on humanitarian grounds (section 22)

Other

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence under a federal state admission programme (section 23(1))

Other

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Admission in the federal political interest (section 23(2))

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: Section 52(4) of the Aufenthaltsverordnung expressly exempts people granted residence under section 23(2) of the Aufenthaltsgesetz from the fee under section 44 no. 3 for issuing a settlement permit, from the fee under section 45b for the exceptional document format, from the fee under section 47(1) no. 11 for transferring the permit into another document and from the fee under section 49(1) and (2) for processing the application.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Resettlement admission (section 23(4))

Other

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: Section 52(3) of the Aufenthaltsverordnung exempts Resettlement refugees admitted under section 23(4) of the Aufenthaltsgesetz from the fees under section 44 no. 3 and section 45 nos. 1 and 2 for issue and renewal of the permit, from the fee under section 47(1) no. 8 for a provisional certificate and from the fee under section 49(1) and (2) for processing the application.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Hardship commission residence permit (section 23a)

Other

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-03

Temporary protection residence permit (section 24)

Other

term 12 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: The state authority states plainly that no fee is charged for issuing the permit. Only a travel document, where one is needed, is payable: 60.00 EUR from the age of 24, 38.00 EUR below it and 14.00 EUR for a child under twelve.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Spouse of a German citizen (section 28(1) no. 1)

Family

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: The state authority prints four rates on the page for this ground: 100.00 EUR for the first issue of the permit, 93.00 EUR for its renewal and, under the EU-Turkey association agreement, 27.60 EUR below the age of 24 and 46.00 EUR from that age, for the first issue and the renewal alike.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Minor child of a German citizen (section 28(1) no. 2)

Family

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 56,9processing time not published

Fee: The state authority prints four rates on the page for this ground: 50.00 EUR for the first issue of the permit, 46.50 EUR for its renewal, 27.60 EUR under the EU-Turkey association agreement for the first issue and the renewal alike, and no fee where subsistence cannot be secured without benefits under SGB II, SGB XII or the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Parent of a minor German citizen (section 28(1) no. 3)

Family

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-03

Settlement permit for family of a German citizen (section 28(2))

Family

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 129processing time not published

Fee: Rate under section 44 of the Aufenthaltsverordnung: issuing a Niederlassungserlaubnis in all other cases costs 113 EUR. The other two lines of the same section are dearer: 147 EUR for a settlement permit for a highly qualified specialist under section 18c(3) of the Aufenthaltsgesetz and 124 EUR for a settlement permit for a self-employed person under section 21(4).

official source · read 2026-09-03

Family reunification with a foreign resident (section 29)

Family

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: The Land portal prints three rates on the page for this route, and prints them without cents: 100 € for issuing the permit, 96 € for an extension of up to three months and 93 € for a longer extension; possible visa costs are noted separately.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Spouse reunification with a foreign resident (section 30)

Family

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-03

Independent right of residence after marriage ends (section 31)

Family

term 12 morenewablecounts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 114processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-03

Child reunification with foreign parents (section 32)

Family

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 56,9processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence permit for a child born in Germany (section 33)

Family

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 56,9processing time not published

Fee: The state authority prints three rates on the page for this ground: 50.00 EUR in the general case, 27.60 EUR for a child with Turkish citizenship and no fee on production of a current decision granting benefits under SGB II, SGB XII or the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act; a digital photograph taken at the self-service terminal costs another 6.00 EUR.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Derived residence right of children (section 34)

Family

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 114processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-03

Settlement permit for children (section 35)

Family

counts toward permanent residenceapplicant onlyfee $ 62,6processing time not published

Fee: Rate under section 50(1) of the Aufenthaltsverordnung: a Niederlassungserlaubnis for a child under section 35(1) of the Aufenthaltsgesetz is expressly set at 55 EUR. The first sentence of the same paragraph requires half the rates of sections 44 to 49 to be charged to minors, and the second paragraph sets 6 EUR for renewing a provisional travel document for a child under twelve.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Reunification of parents and other relatives (section 36)

Family

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-03

Family reunification with subsidiary protection holders (section 36a)

Family

term 12 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Right of return (section 37)

Repatriation

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: The state authority prints three rates on the page for this ground: 100.00 EUR to issue the permit, 93.00 EUR to renew it and at most 46.00 EUR for Turkish citizens; a digital photograph taken at the self-service terminal costs another 6.00 EUR.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence title for former German citizens (section 38)

Repatriation

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: The state authority prints four first-issue rates on the page for this ground: 100.00 EUR for an adult's residence permit, 113.00 EUR for an adult's settlement permit, 50.00 EUR for a minor's residence permit and 56.50 EUR for a minor's settlement permit.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Long-term resident of another EU state (section 38a)

Work

term 36 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: The state authority prints five rates on the page for this ground: 100.00 EUR for the first issue to an adult, 93.00 EUR for its renewal, 50.00 EUR for the first issue to a minor, 46.50 EUR for its renewal and a separate rate under the EU-Turkey association agreement.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Settlement permit, general ground (section 9)

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 129processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-03

EU long-term residence permit (section 9a)

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 124processing time not published

Fee: Rate under section 44a of the Aufenthaltsverordnung: an EU long-term residence permit costs 109 EUR. The section contains no other amount at all; that is its only line.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Settlement permit for skilled workers (section 18c(1))

Work

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 129processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-03

Settlement permit for highly qualified persons (section 18c(3))

Work

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 167processing time not published

Fee: Rate under section 44 of the Aufenthaltsverordnung: issuing a Niederlassungserlaubnis to a highly qualified specialist under section 18c(3) of the Aufenthaltsgesetz costs 147 EUR, the highest of the section's three lines. A settlement permit for a self-employed person under section 21(4) costs 124 EUR, and 113 EUR in all other cases.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Settlement permit for EU Blue Card holders (section 18c(2))

Work

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 129processing time not published

official source · read 2026-09-03

Settlement permit for self-employed persons (section 21(4))

Startup

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 141processing time not published

Fee: Rate under section 44 of the Aufenthaltsverordnung: issuing a Niederlassungserlaubnis to a self-employed person under section 21(4) of the Aufenthaltsgesetz costs 124 EUR. The neighbouring lines of the same section are 147 EUR for a highly qualified specialist under section 18c(3) and 113 EUR in all other cases.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Settlement permit for refugees and asylum holders (section 26(3))

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: The state authority states plainly on the page for this ground that no fee is charged. That matches section 52(3) of the Aufenthaltsverordnung, which exempts people entitled to asylum and recognised refugees from the fees for issuing a settlement permit and for processing the application.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Settlement permit for subsidiary protection holders (section 26(4))

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: The state authority states plainly on the page for this ground that no fee is charged. That matches section 52(3) of the Aufenthaltsverordnung, which exempts holders of subsidiary protection from the fees for issuing a settlement permit and for processing the application.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence card for family of EU/EEA citizens (section 5 FreizügG/EU)

Family

term 60 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: The state authority prints two age-based rates on the page for this ground: 46.00 EUR from the age of 24 and 27.60 EUR below it, plus another 6.00 EUR for a digital photograph taken at the self-service terminal. There is no single amount for the ground: section 47(3) of the Aufenthaltsverordnung ties the charge to the German identity card fee, which is itself split by age.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Permanent residence card for family of EU/EEA citizens (section 5 FreizügG/EU)

Family

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: on the same terms as the ground above.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Certificate of permanent residence for EU citizens (section 5 FreizügG/EU)

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 11,4processing time not published

Fee: Rate under section 47(3) of the Aufenthaltsverordnung: a certificate of the right of permanent residence for a Union citizen costs 10 EUR. The cards named in the same paragraph have no amount of their own in the regulation; they cost the same as a German identity card, and the exact figures are printed by the state authority.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Swiss residence permit (section 28 AufenthV)

Other

term 60 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: The state authority prints four rates on the page for this ground: for Swiss citizens 46.00 EUR from the age of 24 and 27.60 EUR below it, for their third-country family members 100.00 EUR for an adult and 50.00 EUR for a minor; a digital photograph taken at the self-service terminal costs another 6.00 EUR. There is no single amount for the ground.

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-03

UK withdrawal agreement residence document (section 16 FreizügG/EU)

Other

counts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: The state authority prints three rates on the page for this ground: 46.00 EUR from the age of 24, 27.60 EUR below it and no fee for previous holders of a permanent residence card; a digital photograph taken at the self-service terminal costs another 6.00 EUR. There is no single amount for the ground.

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Turkish association agreement permit (Decision 1/80)

Work

term 60 morenewablecounts toward permanent residencefamily allowedprocessing time not published

Fee: The state authority prints three rates on the page for this ground: 46.00 EUR from the age of 24, 27.60 EUR below it and no fee on production of a current decision granting benefits under SGB II, SGB XII or the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act; a digital photograph taken at the self-service terminal costs another 6.00 EUR. There is no single amount for the ground.

For citizens of certain countries only.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Residence permit for medical treatment (section 7)

Other

term 6 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 114processing time not published

Fee: The state authority prints four rates on the page for this ground: 100.00 EUR for the first issue to an adult, 96.00 EUR for its renewal, 50.00 EUR for the first issue to a minor and 48.00 EUR for its renewal; a digital photograph taken at the self-service terminal costs another 6.00 EUR.

official source · read 2026-09-03

National category D visa (section 6(3))

Other

term 3 morenewabledoes not count toward permanent residencefamily allowedfee $ 85,4processing time not published

Fee: Rate under section 46(2) of the Aufenthaltsverordnung: a national category D visa, including a multiple-entry one, costs 75 EUR to issue. Renewing it costs 25 EUR, and extending a Schengen visa inside Germany beyond 90 days as a national visa costs 60 EUR. This section does not set the fees for Schengen visas themselves: those follow EU Regulation 810/2009.

official source · read 2026-09-03

Programme terms change, and the final decision rests with the consulate or the country migration service. The data is collected from official sources on the date shown and is not legal advice.

Residence and citizenship

Permanent residence after: 3 years
Citizenship after: 5 years
Language: German at B1
Dual citizenship: allowed

Absence limits: No more than 6 months in a row

Since 2024: 5 years (3 with exceptional achievement). The Blue Card gives permanent residence in 21-33 months. German at B1 is required.

Processing fees

Long-stay visa: $ 85,4
Residence permit: $ 114

Long-stay visa: § 46(2)(1) AufenthV: national visa of category D, including a multiple-entry one

Residence permit: § 45(1) AufenthV: issue of a residence permit, an EU Blue Card or an ICT card; extension costs €96 for up to three months and €93 for a longer period

Documents

Document certification: apostille

The country is party to the 1961 Hague Convention: a degree or certificate is authenticated with a single apostille in the country that issued it.

Family

Partner

Timeline: after the main applicant's residence permit
Right to work: yes

The right to work. Basic German (A1) is usually required for the spouse visa.

Parents

Route: Only in cases of exceptional dependency
Timeline: indefinite
Income threshold: High
Difficulty: difficult

Germany is extremely restrictive on parents. “Exceptional circumstances” must be proved (serious illness, complete helplessness). Practically unattainable in an ordinary situation.

Partner's parents

Difficulty: difficult

Matters: In a number of countries only a biological child can sponsor a parent, in which case the spouse files the application.

Pets

Limit: 5
Quarantine: no
Antibody titre test: needed
Preparation: ~4 months
Cost per animal: $ 341 – $ 910

Banned breeds: pit bull, Staffordshire, bull terrier (varies by federal state)

EU rules. Note: some states (Bavaria, Hesse) have lists of dangerous breeds and requirements on keeping dogs.

Safety

Crime: A safe country. The main risk for newcomers is fraud when looking for housing.

Natural hazards

Earthquakeslow

Weak seismicity, mostly in the south-west.

Wildfireslow

Rare, mainly in the east in dry years.

Floodshigh

Flooding is the main natural threat. The 2021 disaster in the Ahr valley (more than 180 dead).

Hurricanesmedium

Winter storms off the North Sea.

Droughtsmedium

Dry years have become more frequent, with problems with river levels.

Extreme heatmedium

Heatwaves in summer, and homes usually have no air conditioning.

Volcanoesno

No active volcanoes (the Eifel is dormant).

Tsunamisno

Not applicable.

The main threat is flooding. Other hazards are low.

Climate

13M

18J

19J

19A

15S

11O

Type: Moderate continental
Sunny days: ~165 a year

A cold winter, a warm summer. Plenty of overcast days, especially from November to February. Homes usually have no air conditioning.

Quality of life

Life expectancy: 81.4 years
Migration: inflow

Healthcare: One of the best systems in the world, with compulsory insurance of ~15% of salary (split with the employer).

Air: Good.

Flows: A steady inflow of skilled specialists and refugees.

Cities

Berlin

tech hub

3 670 000 residents

$ 1 138

1 bedroom, per month

The capital and Germany's main startup hub. An international environment with many English-language vacancies.

2 bedrooms $ 1 650 · estimate3 bedrooms $ 2 162utilities $ 307ticket $ 4,59monthly pass $ 72,4

To buy, per m²: centre $ 8 891 · suburbs $ 6 112

The housing shortage is the main problem. Rental fraud. Crime around the stations.

+The most IT jobs

+An international environment where English works

+Cultural life

+Cheaper than Munich

−An acute housing shortage

−Bureaucracy

−Grey weather

−Slow internet in places

Munich

tech hub

1 490 000 residents

$ 1 593

1 bedroom, per month

Germany's wealthiest city, corporate headquarters, high salaries.

2 bedrooms $ 2 2763 bedrooms $ 3 073utilities $ 313ticket $ 4,76monthly pass $ 73,3

To buy, per m²: centre $ 13 704 · suburbs $ 9 217

The most expensive housing in the country. Strict rules on keeping dogs in Bavaria.

+The highest salaries

+The Alps nearby

+Clean and safe

+Clean environment

−THE most expensive housing

−More conservative than Berlin

−German matters more

Hamburg

tech hub

1 900 000 residents

$ 1 252

1 bedroom, per month

A port city with media and logistics and a growing tech sector.

2 bedrooms $ 1 821 · estimate3 bedrooms $ 2 390utilities $ 229ticket $ 4,48monthly pass $ 72,6

To buy, per m²: centre $ 10 429 · suburbs $ 5 372

Flooding in the port area during storms. Rainy.

+A high quality of life

+Water and greenery

+Good salaries

−Very rainy

−Expensive

−Less IT than in Berlin

Frankfurt

tech hub

765 000 residents

$ 1 366

1 bedroom, per month

Europe's financial capital, the largest airport, fintech.

2 bedrooms $ 1 9353 bedrooms $ 2 617utilities $ 277ticket $ 4,42monthly pass $ 72,2

To buy, per m²: centre $ 8 499 · suburbs $ 4 451

Crime around the main station (Bahnhofsviertel).

+Fintech and banking

+The best airport

+An international environment

−Expensive

−Not the cosiest city

−A troubled area around the station

Cologne

1 090 000 residents

$ 1 024

1 bedroom, per month

A media capital with a friendly atmosphere, cheaper than Munich and Frankfurt.

2 bedrooms $ 1 4793 bedrooms $ 1 991utilities $ 231ticket $ 4,12monthly pass $ 69,0

To buy, per m²: centre $ 8 050 · suburbs $ 5 385

Rhine flooding. Large crowds at carnival.

+Cheaper than the other major cities

+A friendly atmosphere

+Media industry

−Fewer IT jobs

−Rainy

Grocery basket

Bread, 500 g: $ 2,20
Milk, 1 l: $ 1,36
Eggs, 12: $ 3,89
Chicken breast, 1 kg: $ 11,6
Cheese, 1 kg: $ 15,0
Rice, 1 kg: $ 3,45
Potatoes, 1 kg: $ 1,54
Apples, 1 kg: $ 3,30
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 l: $ 2,21
Total: $ 44,5

The same set for every country, so the comparison is fair.

Cost of living across the country

Rent, 1 bedroom: $ 869 a month
Rent, 3 bedrooms: $ 1 728 a month
Utility bills: $ 269 a month
Home internet: $ 45,3 a month
Monthly transport pass: $ 67,9 a month
Single transport ticket: $ 3,84
Petrol, litre: $ 2,09
Cold medicine: $ 10,3 for a week

Country averages. City prices, where collected, are shown above and are more precise.

Indicators

Life expectancy: 80,8 years2024
Homicides: 0,9 per 100k2024
Theft: 1 376,7 per 100k2024
Burglary: 357,1 per 100k2024
Robbery: 51,8 per 100k2024
Vehicle and vehicle-part theft: 69,7 per 100k2024
Road deaths: 3,3 per 100k2021
Unemployment: 3,7 %2025
Unemployment, ages 15–24: 6,9 %2025
Inequality (Gini): 33,72022
Health spending per person: $ 6 849 a year
Air pollution, PM2.5: 8,8 µg/m³2023
Access to clean water: 100 %2024
Internet, fixed line: 103,1 Mbit/s2026

Governance

Political stability: above average · 0,1
Control of corruption: high · 1,8
Rule of law: high · 1,6
Government effectiveness: high · 1,6

World Bank estimates on a −2.5 to +2.5 scale, higher is better.

Natural hazards

Earthquakes: 3,7 out of 10
River floods: 7,8 out of 10
Coastal floods: 8 out of 10
Tropical cyclones: 0 out of 10
Droughts: 1,3 out of 10
Tsunamis: 0 out of 10

Policy towards newcomers

Migrant integration, overall score: 58 out of 100 · 2019
Family reunification: 42 out of 100 · 2019
Permanent residence: 54 out of 100 · 2019
Access to citizenship: 42 out of 100 · 2019
Access to the labour market: 81 out of 100 · 2019

Measures how favourable the law is towards newcomers, not one person's chances of getting a visa.

Each value carries the year it refers to. “Data lags behind” means this country's figure was collected noticeably earlier than the rest. Natural hazards use one 0–10 scale and are meant to be compared against each other.

Pros and cons

+High salaries

+Excellent healthcare

+Pets get through within the EU limit

+Citizenship in 5 years

+A strong economy and stability

−A partner's parents almost never get through, only in cases of exceptional dependency

−English at B2+ or German is required

−High taxes (~38–42%)

−A housing shortage in the major cities

−Grey weather

−Heavy bureaucracy

Compare with other countries in the region

Austria · Belgium · Bulgaria · Croatia · Cyprus · Czechia · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Greece · Hungary · Ireland · Italy · Latvia · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Malta · Netherlands · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden

Other countries in the region: Europe (EU)

All countries by region

Official sources

BAMF

The federal migration office

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Make it in Germany

The official portal for specialists, Blue Card

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BAMF — naturalisation

Checked 2 August 2026: the page returns 404. The likely current section for purchases is /Suche/de/wohnung-kaufen (confirmed by search results and the Wayback Machine archive), but ImmoScout24's /Suche/ section is closed to any automated requests (CloudFront/Imperva blocks bots with code 401, even for the Wayback Machine's own archiver), so a 200 could not be obtained and the address has not been replaced

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Mobile.de

The largest car marketplace in Europe

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BMDV

Russian licences are exchanged within 6 months

Electronic tax office

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GKV

Compulsory health insurance

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