About Germany

Whether you’re looking to visit, live or work in Germany—we can support your immigration needs at every stage of your journey.

Germany is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area. If you’re a foreign national looking to visit, live and/or work in Germany, many options are available.

• Business Visits: As a business visitor and depending on your citizenship, you'll generally enter Germany without a visa, or need to secure a Schengen C Visa from a German consular post before your travel. For all visitors, the Schengen Area limits stays to 90 days in a 180-day period. Depending on the nature of your activities, you may also need to limit your stay to 90 days in a 12-month period.
• Work Authorization: The main work authorization categories are the EU Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) Permit (locally called ICT Card) – suitable for highly skilled managers, specialists and trainees, on assignment within a company group and typically granted for up to three years; the Local Hire Work & Residence Permit – suitable for skilled employees on a German contract and paid via German payroll and granted for up to four years; and the EU Blue Card – suitable for highly skilled employees who meet a minimum salary requirement, sign a German contract and are paid via German payroll, typically granted for up to four years.​​
• Internships/Traineeships: If you're being transferred to Germany to receive training at your employer's German branch, the EU Intracompany Transferee (ICT) Permit is an option. It can be granted for up to one year. To qualify, you'll need to have a university degree and six months' continuous prior employment within your corporate group, or have considerable​ work experience demonstrating specialist-level knowledge.
• Self-employment: There are no work authorization programs dedicated to potential investors or entrepreneurs.​ The Best Friends Permit is available to select nationals, provided their employment conditions (salary, working hours, holiday) are similar to those of German workers. No local sponsorship is required and applicants do not need to meet education or professional experience requirements.

Fragomen can also consult on citizenship matters and, as permitted within the confines of local law, may be able to offer citizenship assistance.