Germany

EU Blue Card route for highly qualified workers.

Official Make it in Germany guidance for joining a spouse and children in Germany through family reunification.

Naturalisation route listed on the official portal.

Section 20a opportunity card for searching for qualified employment or a recognition measure in Germany. The initial card allows a stay of up to one year plus part-time work of up to 20 hours a week and job trials of up to two weeks per employer.

• 1 year
• Limited work rights

Section 20 residence permit for people who completed a German vocational qualification or degree and want to look for qualified employment. The page says it is issued for 18 months instead of one year and allows part-time work without restrictions during the search.

• 18 months
• Limited work rights

Permanent residence route listed on the official portal.

Permanent residence title for skilled workers and other eligible residents who want to stay in Germany indefinitely.

BAMF guidance says a type C Schengen visa is generally required for short-term stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period for business trips or tourist purposes, and that holders of this short-stay visa are not permitted to work in Germany and will not generally be able to extend it.

• 90 days
• No work rights

Work visa route for workers with professional experience.

Work visa route for qualified professionals.

Self-employment route for freelancers in Germany under the official self-employment guidance. The page distinguishes this freelancer track from the separate business start-up route.

Business start-up visa route listed on the official portal.