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Germany · Relocation guide

Moving to Germany: visas, registration and first steps

Most non-EU and non-EFTA movers need the correct long-stay visa before travel, then address registration and a residence-permit step in Germany. EU and EFTA citizens use free movement. The applicant normally files the visa; employers, universities and resident family members supply route evidence but do not replace the immigration authority.

Content updated 11 September 2026. Individual source-check dates are listed below.

The move in one sequence

Identify the residence purpose before making irreversible travel or housing commitments. Nationality controls whether a pre-entry visa is required, while work, study and family routes each have their own evidence. A short-stay visit or visa-free entry is not general permission to start work.

After entry, secure a registrable address, register locally and apply to the competent foreigners authority before the visa expires when a longer residence title is required. Maintain continuous health cover from arrival.

  • Worker: confirm the exact work route, qualification recognition and any professional licence before the visa appointment.
  • Student: obtain qualifying admission, current proof of funds and any required language evidence.
  • Family applicant: identify the sponsor’s nationality and status before applying spouse rules; EU-law, German-citizen and refugee branches can differ.
  • All movers: keep passport, core civil records and route evidence accessible during travel.

Who does what

The applicant owns the German visa application and must attend the required mission process. An employer supplies the contract, role and working-condition evidence and may initiate the optional fast-track skilled-worker procedure. A university owns admission and enrolment decisions. A resident spouse or partner supplies status, housing, livelihood and insurance evidence when the family route requires it.

After arrival, each adult is responsible for meeting address-registration and immigration deadlines. The landlord supplies the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung. The local registration authority handles Anmeldung; the local foreigners authority handles the residence title.

Choose the correct evidence lane

For the qualified-professional work route, official guidance requires a recognised or comparable qualification and a specific qualified job offer. Regulated professions require the competent permission to practise. The job does not generally need to match the qualification, but it must be qualified employment.

For study, admission to a state-recognised institution, accepted proof of finance and any programme or mission language evidence are central. The current amount can change, so recheck it when filing.

For a spouse joining a non-EU skilled worker, the official page asks for the sponsor’s qualifying residence title, insurance and resources, and a qualifying relationship. Do not transplant its language exemption or work-right statement to a different sponsor category without checking that branch.

Document pack to prepare

Use the German mission’s own checklist for the country of residence. Document authentication, translation and appointment handling can vary by document and post. Keep the same names, dates and purpose across every form and supporting record.

  • Valid passport, application material and photographs required by the mission.
  • Employment contract and recognition or licence evidence; or university admission and finance evidence; or relationship and sponsor evidence.
  • Health-insurance evidence covering the period required by the mission and continuous cover from arrival.
  • Original birth, marriage, qualification and other civil records relevant to later German formalities.
  • Tenancy documents and the landlord confirmation needed for address registration after moving in.

After arrival

Ask the landlord for the signed confirmation of occupancy and register with the local registration authority. Federal guidance says this should be done within two weeks of moving in. Temporary accommodation may not provide a registrable address, so establish this before booking.

Contact the competent foreigners authority early and use its current local application method. A registration certificate may also be requested by banks and other services. Insurance status depends on employment and personal circumstances, but a gap in health cover should be avoided.

Common mistakes

A job offer or university admission is evidence, not permission to enter or remain. Address registration is also not a residence permit. Movers often lose time by starting recognition too late, using an old student funding amount, assuming a visitor entry permits work, or accepting accommodation that will not issue the landlord confirmation.

Another frequent error is treating the national visa as if it has the same work and travel conditions in every case. Read the actual visa and later residence document.

Questions applicants ask

Does my employer apply for my German visa? Usually the applicant applies; the employer provides evidence and may start the optional fast-track skilled-worker procedure.

Can I arrive visa-free and begin work? Only if the law and your actual permission allow it. Some privileged nationalities may enter without a visa but still need a residence permit before work.

Is a blocked account the only student finance option? No. Official guidance also identifies scholarships and declarations of commitment, subject to the applicable requirements.

When should I register? Federal guidance says within two weeks of moving in; follow the appointment and evidence rules of the municipality where you live.

Your moving checklist

Tick off the tasks that apply to you. The timing is a planning order, not a substitute for the deadlines on your permission or an official instruction.

0 of 13 tasks completed

Before you move
On arrival
Your first month

Sources and checks

The linked authorities set the rules. VisaAtlas explains how the steps fit together; planning suggestions are not a decision on your immigration status, tax residence or entitlement to services.

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