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Destination · Europe
Move to Berlin, Germany. The routes, mapped.
14 visa routes into Germany, each with its real required-document list — pulled live from the Nomad knowledge graph. Start a plan and we sequence the right one for your situation.
- Country
- Germany
- Region
- Europe
- Visa routes
- 14
- Coverage
- Breadth
From the US
US → Germany. The money facts.
Treaty coverage, double-tax exposure, and what setup actually costs, so you know the financial shape of the move before you commit.
- US tax treaty
- Yes
- Totalization
- Yes
- Double-tax risk
- Low
- Setup cost
- $7,000 to $25,000
Visa routes
How you can legally move to Germany.
EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU)
4 years$4,960/mo~8 wks processing$86 feeRenewableFamily ok
Documents required
- US Passport (6-Month Validity)
- Recognized Foreign Qualification ZAB
- Blue Card Employment Contract Germany
- Erklaerung Zum Beschaeftigungsverhaeltnis
- Health Insurance Germany Travel
- Proof Accommodation Germany
- Visa Application Form Germany VIDEX
- +2 more
Skilled Worker Visa (Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Fachkräfte)
4 years~12 wks processing$86 feeRenewableFamily ok
Documents required
- US Passport (6-Month Validity)
- Recognized Foreign Qualification ZAB
- Skilled Worker Employment Contract Germany
- Erklaerung Zum Beschaeftigungsverhaeltnis
- Vorabzustimmung Bundesagentur Fuer Arbeit
- Health Insurance Germany Travel
- Proof Accommodation Germany
- +3 more
Self-Employment Visa (Aufenthaltserlaubnis für selbständige Tätigkeit)
3 years~16 wks processing$115 feeRenewableRemote workFamily ok
Documents required
- US Passport (6-Month Validity)
- Business Plan Selbstaendige
- Financing Proof Bank Statements
- Letters Of Intent German Customers Or Partners
- IHK Or HWK Statement Of Support
- CV Tabular Lebenslauf
- Apostilled University Degree Or Professional Experience
- +5 more
Freelance Visa (Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Freiberufler)
2 years$1,180/mo~12 wks processing$115 feeRenewableRemote workFamily ok
Documents required
- US Passport (6-Month Validity)
- Proof Of Funds Freiberufler
- Letters Of Intent German Clients
- CV Tabular Lebenslauf
- Apostilled University Degree Or Professional Qualification
- Portfolio Or Work Samples
- Business Plan Freiberufler
- +5 more
Researcher Visa (Aufenthaltserlaubnis für Forschungszwecke)
2 years~8 wks processing$86 feeRenewableFamily ok
Documents required
- US Passport (6-Month Validity)
- Aufnahmevereinbarung Hosting Agreement
- Research Institution Recognition BAMF
- Salary Or Stipend Proof
- Apostilled Phd Or Doctoral Degree
- Health Insurance Germany Travel
- Proof Accommodation Germany
- +3 more
Student Visa (Visum zu Studienzwecken)
2 years$1,180/mo~10 wks processing$86 feeRenewable
Documents required
- US Passport (6-Month Validity)
- University Admission Letter Zulassungsbescheid
- Proof Of Funds Sperrkonto Or Scholarship
- Health Insurance Germany Student
- Apostilled Prior Qualifications
- Language Proof German Or English Program
- Proof Accommodation Germany
- +3 more
Citizenship by Naturalization (Einbürgerung)
9999 months~52 wks processing$292 feeRemote workFamily ok
Documents required
- Passport Or German Travel Document
- Current Aufenthaltserlaubnis Or Niederlassungserlaubnis Copy
- Anmeldung Certificate 5 Years
- German Language Proof B1 Or C1
- Integration Test Leben In Deutschland
- Pension Or Income Self Sufficiency Proof
- Loyalty Declaration Bekenntnis Zur FDGO
- +4 more
EU Long-Term Residence Permit (Daueraufenthalt-EU)
9999 months~12 wks processing$142 feeRemote workFamily ok
Documents required
- US Passport (6-Month Validity)
- Current Aufenthaltserlaubnis Or Niederlassungserlaubnis Copy
- Anmeldung Certificate
- German Language Proof B1
- Integration Test Leben In Deutschland
- Pension Contribution Statement 60 Months
- Income Proof Bank Statements Steuerbescheid
- +3 more
Permanent Residence Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
9999 months~12 wks processing$129 feeRemote workFamily ok
Documents required
- US Passport (6-Month Validity)
- Current Aufenthaltserlaubnis Copy
- Anmeldung Certificate
- German Language Proof B1
- Integration Test Leben In Deutschland
- Pension Contribution Statement 60 Months
- Income Proof Bank Statements Steuerbescheid
- +3 more
Family Reunification Visa (Visum zum Familiennachzug)
1 year$1,180/mo~12 wks processing$86 feeRenewableRemote workFamily ok
Documents required
- US Passport (6-Month Validity)
- Marriage Certificate Apostilled Translated
- Birth Certificate Apostilled Translated
- Sponsor Residence Permit Copy
- Sponsor Income Proof Bank Statements
- Sponsor Housing Proof Mietvertrag
- Health Insurance Germany Family
- +3 more
Au Pair Visa (Visum für Au-Pair-Beschäftigung)
1 year~8 wks processing$86 fee
Documents required
- US Passport (6-Month Validity)
- Au Pair Contract With Host Family
- Host Family Background Documentation
- German Language Proof A1
- Health Insurance Germany Au Pair
- Visa Application Form Germany VIDEX
- CV Tabular Lebenslauf
- +3 more
Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)
1 year$1,180/mo~12 wks processing$86 fee
Documents required
- US Passport (6-Month Validity)
- Chancenkarte Points Calculator Proof
- Recognized Foreign Qualification ZAB
- Proof Of Funds Sperrkonto Or Verpflichtungserklaerung
- German Language Proof A1 Or Higher
- English Language Proof B2 Or Higher
- Health Insurance Germany Travel
- +4 more
Job Seeker Visa (Visum zur Arbeitsplatzsuche)
6 months$1,180/mo~10 wks processing$86 fee
Documents required
- US Passport (6-Month Validity)
- Recognized Foreign Qualification ZAB
- Proof Of Funds Sperrkonto Or Verpflichtungserklaerung
- Health Insurance Germany Travel
- Proof Accommodation Germany
- Visa Application Form Germany VIDEX
- CV Tabular Lebenslauf
- +2 more
Tourist / Schengen Short-Stay (Schengen-Visum bzw. visumfreier Kurzaufenthalt)
3 monthsFamily ok
Documents required
- Passport 3mo Validity Beyond Stay
- Return Ticket Or Onward Travel
- Proof Accommodation Germany
- Travel Health Insurance Schengen 30k
- Proof Of Funds Daily Subsistence
Which route is right for you?
Answer 3 questions and Nomad picks the best-fit visa for your work, timeline, and family, then builds the full document checklist and a 90-day plan to Berlin, Germany.
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