Germany is the economic powerhouse of modern Europe and is a top destination for many investors, workers and students from all around the world to immigrate to. With her stable economic position, high living standard, good infrastructure and well-developed social security system, it is no wonder why it’s highly sought-after among immigrants. Like every other nation, there are a number of visa options available regardless of your purpose of visit. So, this article is an ultimate guide on how to move to Germany; including facts about the various types of visas, applying, moving, working and living in Germany.
Why Move To Germany?
There are a number of reasons to want to relocate to Germany. These include:
Free and low priced education
In Germany, a lot of government schools are tuition-free or low-cost education even for international students. It’s a golden opportunity to access world class education at minimal cost.
Job Opportunities
Germany has one of the largest economies in Europe and as such, there’s a high demand for professional workers far and wide in different sectors. With her economic status, it’s home to world leading corporations and investments; thus, a big recruiter of local and foreign professionals.
Good Quality of Life
With the level of development in infrastructure, health, safety, and social amenities, there’s no telling that this is an ample reason to want to relocate to Germany.
Top-Tier Healthcare
Germany has one of the best healthcare services and this is indicated in the low death rate and it has a high average life expectancy of its citizens. There is also a subsidized health cover that will guarantee the best health care.
Cultural Diversity
Germany is located at the heart of Europe and therefore to travel to the nearby countries is very easy and this adds to cultural diversity.
Types Of German Visas
Now that you have already seen what benefits Germany offers and know your reasons to want to move to Germany, it’s time to consider what visa options are available for you as they differ based on your reason for travel:
Work or Employment Visa
The Employment Visa is available for you if you intend to work in Germany. However, you must have a job offer from your employer. Here are a number of things you should keep in mind if you’re applying via the employment visa:
–Your certificate must be recognised by the German government.
–Again, your skills should match your job offer. Basic admin work or basic manual labor jobs will likely not qualify as a work visa as they need jobs that do require the level of training or education you have.
Student Visa
Germany has now become one of the preferred locations to study by international students – and it is not surprising why. It boasts the best schools, the most reasonable tuition (it is free at the state institutions), and lots of degree programs that are taught in English. It would be in your best interest to invest in education there.
What You’ll Need for a Student Visa
- University Admission letter: A University admission letter of a recognized university/ college in Germany will be required.
- Proof of funds: You have to show that you can sustain yourself, typically with a minimum of €11,904 in a bank account (or a scholarship that will cover your expenses).
- Conversion Requirements: In case your program is German, you will need to have your proficiency demonstrated (such as a TestDaF or DSH certificate). In English-taught courses, the submission of IELTS or TOEFL scores may be necessary.
EU Blue Card
Another way of working in Germany is through the EU Blue Card. It’s a resident permit to highly qualified experts (at least a university degree) who receive high paying job contracts (minimum salary of at least €48.300 per year). To qualify under this visa category however, then you must fall under the following criteria:
1). A higher education(German or foreign- as far as it is recognised as an equivalent). A three-year professional degree in a high demand field may also suffice
2). As stated above, a minimum salary of at least €48,300 yearly
3). A minimum of six months contract
4). The job has to match your qualifications.
Why should you Consider the EU Blue Card?
It gives you freedom to work and reside in Germany (and travel around the Schengen Zone without a visa). Again, it offers the opportunity of taking your family along. Even more so, it’s a quick path to permanent residency; just in about 33 months.
However, before you apply, you can use the Anabin database to determine whether your degree is recognized.
Opportunity Card
If you’re hoping to work in Germany but don’t have a job offer yet, the Opportunity Card might just be your way in. It’s a one year visa that lets you move the Germany with the freedom to apply for jobs and work part-time at the same time.
What You can Do with the Opportunity Card?
– It allows you to stay a year (12 months) in Germany while looking for a qualifying job.
– Work part-time; a maximum of 20 hours per week, while you’re still job hunting.
– You can also take trial jobs (up to two weeks) to see if the role is right for you.
Who Qualifies For an Opportunity Card?
To be eligible, you have to meet the following criteria
– Language Skills: You must meet at least basic German (A1) or intermediate English (B2).
– Education or Training: You must have a recognised university degree from any country.
– Proof of financial stability: You must show that you can cover living costs; at least €1,027 per month.
– Point Based Approval: You’ll need 6 points and above from German’s scoring system which considers factors like, your qualification, working experience, language skills, age (younger applicants score higher), and ties to Germany (maybe a previous study or work experience).
Why’s it a great option?
– There’s no job offer upfront; so it presents an opportunity to explore job offers in person.
– It allows flexibility to try out jobs before finally taking a long term commitment.
Germany Visa Requirements
Just like every other country, moving to Germany requires a lot of paperworks but with a comprehensive guide, it’ll be less challenging. You’ll be needing the following:
Passports: You have to make sure your passport is valid for at least six more months, to avoid visa rejection. You’ll also need to fill out the official visa application form, which you can download from the German embassy website in your home country, and must be signed
Also, 2 biometric passport photos are required, and they must follow strict rules (neutral expression, plain background, no glasses unless medically necessary
Financial statement: You’ll have to prove you can support yourself. For students, that means showing €11,208 in a blocked bank account, while work applicants need around €5,000 in savings.
Depending on the type of visa you choose, you might also need extra documents. For instance, a job contract if you’re applying for a job visa, a university acceptance letter for students, or marriage certificates if you’re joining your spouse.
Most importantly, your foreign documents have to be translated to German by a certified translation service.
Step by Step Visa Application
Getting a German visa isn’t a quick process, but if you follow these steps carefully, you’ll avoid unnecessary delays.
– First, ensure you’re applying for the right visa because study, work and family reunion visas all have different requirements, and picking the wrong one means starting all over again.
– Book an appointment early at the German embassy or consulate in your home country. This is to avoid congestion because slots fill up fast, especially in seasons like summer or right before university semesters when there’s influx of immigrants whether returning or visiting.
– When your appointment is scheduled, be sure to dress decently and of course, you’ll be asked several questions regarding your visa application. Therefore, be sure to be prepared and answer confidently.
–After your interview, this is when you wait for approval but it doesn’t take too long. Work and student visas usually take one to three months to process, whereas tourist visas are faster (two to four weeks). If it’s taking longer than expected, a polite email to the embassy can sometimes be helpful.
Once your visa has been approved, double-check your visa for errors to avoid problems at immigration. And if there are none, all that’s left is packing your bags and starting your adventure.
Moving to Germany: Residence Permits & Registration
After you’ve successfully moved to Germany, that’s when the real administrative work begins. However, it’s not too cumbersome a thing to do.
Within your first two weeks of landing, you must register your address at the local Bürgeramt (citizens’ office). This is called Anmeldung, and it’s your ticket to everything else. That’s from opening a bank account, to getting health insurance, even signing a phone contract.
Bring your passport, rental contract, and a completed registration form, and they’ll give you a Meldebescheinigung (proof of registration).
If you entered Germany with a short-term visa (like a job-seeker or tourist visa), you’ll need to convert it into a proper residence permit at the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners’ office).
Appointments here can take months to secure, especially in big cities, so book one as soon as you arrive. While you wait, open a German bank account.
Working in Germany: Job Market & Employments
As you’d expect of a strong economy, Germany’s job market is strong. Therefore, landing a position depends on your field, language skills, work experience, and qualifications. For English speakers, tech, engineering, and finance roles are the easiest to find, while other industries often require fluent German.
Similarly, salaries vary by field as IT professionals earn €50,000 to €80,000, engineers €55,000 to €75,000, and nurses €35,000 to €45,000. But remember, taxes and social security deductions will take a big chunk (expect 30-40% of your paycheck).
LinkedIn and Indeed are a great step for a start, and you should however, consider the Federal Employment Agency’s job boards. This is because they constantly list job openings available.
Living In Germany
Getting an accommodation in Germany can, for most persons, be the hardest part of the process, especially in bustling cities like Berlin, Munich, or Frankfurt. Start your search early and to make it seamlessly easy, you can use third party agencies.
Also, healthcare insurance is mandatory and there are a number of options available for you. You could choose between public insurance (€110-€220) or private insurance with varying costs.
Learning German is a necessary part of your growth and daily life so it’ll be salient to learn it. You can enrol in the government sponsored integration courses which are available once you have a resident permit.
Permanent Residency and Citizenship
If your plan is to stay long term and if possible, become a citizen of the state, (Niederlassungserlaubnis) is your first step to achieving that. After 5 years (or just 33 months with an EU Blue Card and B1 German), you can apply for permanent residency if you’ve paid into the pension system, have stable income, and pass a basic German test (A1 for spouses, B1 for everyone else)
Common Challenges
The language barrier is the most common issue applicants encounter because it cuts through everything you do. So, it’s a common thing to run into moments of confusion sometimes.
This is why we advise that you starting learning the basics of German before your travel, so that by the time you get there, you’d have been able to understand or say a few sentences on your own.
Finding housing in major cities can be tiring. This is because competition is keen. Similarly, do well to avoid scams because they exist. Avoid paying deposits before seeing a place, and consider temporary housing (like Wunderflats) while you’re still on the lookout for an apartment.
Conclusion
Moving to Germany is a cumbersome process, but with the right preparation, it’s an incredibly rewarding one. The career opportunities, work-life balance, cultural diversity and a high quality of life makes it worth the effort
