Guides for Germany

Practical guides checked against official sources. Filter by topic to find what you need next.

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Residence and visasLocal guide Applying for a residence permit in HamburgWhich Hamburg office handles your residence permit - the Hamburg Welcome Center, your district's foreigners' affairs office or the Office for Migration - how the online application works, waiting times and fees in 2026, and what to do in urgent cases.15 to 25 minutes for the online application once your documents are ready; about 8 to 10 weeks until you are offered an appointment for a first permit or an extension (2026)
Residence and visasLocal guide Getting or extending a residence permit at Berlin's immigration office (LEA)How residence permits work in practice at Berlin's Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA) in 2026 - online applications, appointments, documents, biometrics, fees, card pickup and what protects your status while you wait.About 30-60 minutes for the online application if your documents are ready; then several weeks or longer until the LEA replies, plus about 4-6 weeks for the card after your appointment
Residence and visasLocal guide Getting or extending a residence permit in Munich (SZE)How Munich's immigration office, the Servicestelle für Zuwanderung und Einbürgerung (SZE), handles residence permits in 2026 - online applications, the invitation to an appointment, fees, processing times, card pickup and what protects your status while you wait.About an hour for the online application once your documents are scanned; a decision can take several months
Residence and visasEU Blue Card in Germany: 2026 salary thresholds, requirements and settlementWho qualifies for the EU Blue Card, the 2026 minimum salaries (€50,700, or €45,934.20 in shortage occupations and for new graduates), the route for IT specialists without a degree, what it means for your family, and how quickly it leads to permanent residence.Visa from abroad: several weeks to a few months, depending on the embassy (with the fast-track procedure, an appointment within three weeks and usually a decision within three more). In Berlin: at least 2 to 3 months for an online application, then 4 to 6 weeks for the eAT card.
Residence and visasFamily reunification: bringing your spouse, children or parents to GermanyThe rules for joining a non-EU family member who lives in Germany: who can come, the A1 German requirement and its many exemptions, income and housing rules, the documents to prepare and how the visa and residence permit procedure works.Preparing documents (legalisation, translations, an A1 course and exam) often takes several months. Visa processing varies widely by embassy. In Berlin, allow at least 4 weeks after the joint appointment for the eAT card.
Residence and visasLiving in Germany as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizenYour free-movement rights in Germany, what you need to do after arrival, how non-EU family members get a residence card, when you gain permanent residence, and the limits on social benefits in the first months and years.For EU/EEA citizens, usually just the address registration appointment. For non-EU family members, one appointment at the immigration office plus about 4 weeks until the residence card is ready.
Residence and visasOpportunity Card (Chancenkarte): looking for work in Germany with the points systemHow the Chancenkarte lets non-EU professionals spend up to a year in Germany looking for a job: the two ways to qualify, the points table, the 2026 proof of funds (€1,091 a month), what work you may do while searching, and what happens when you find a job.Gathering documents (ZAB statement, language certificate, blocked account) often takes several weeks. Visa processing varies by embassy; some missions state about 6 to 10 weeks, others around two months.
Residence and visasPermanent residence in Germany - settlement permit and EU long-term residenceHow the two permanent residence titles work in 2026 - the settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) and the EU long-term residence permit (Daueraufenthalt-EU) - with the standard requirements, Blue Card and skilled worker fast tracks, pension months, language levels and how to apply in Berlin.About 1-2 hours for the online application if your documents are ready; then weeks to months until the interview, plus at least 4 weeks for the card
Residence and visasResidence permits in Germany: an overview of the main routesA map of the main ways to live in Germany (EU free movement, work, job search, study, family and self-employment), plus what a residence title is, the eAT card, the Fiktionsbescheinigung and where to apply.Several weeks to several months, depending on the route, the German embassy abroad and the local immigration office. In Berlin, expect at least 2 to 3 months for a decision after an online application, plus 4 to 6 weeks for the card.
Residence and visasSeeking protection in Germany - an orientation to asylum and temporary protectionA factual orientation for people seeking protection in Germany and those helping them - how the asylum procedure is organised in 2026, temporary protection for people from Ukraine, where to go first in Berlin, and where to get free, independent counselling.
Residence and visasSkilled worker permits: §18a, §18b and the experience-based routeHow Germany's main work permits for qualified non-EU professionals work: recognition of your qualification, approval by the Federal Employment Agency, the 2026 salary rules for applicants aged 45 and over, the experience-based route without recognition, and the visa procedure including fast-track.Recognition can take weeks to months (recognition bodies have two months once documents are complete in the fast-track procedure). Visa: varies widely by embassy. In the fast-track procedure, an appointment within three weeks of pre-approval and usually a decision within three more weeks. In Berlin: at least 2 to 3 months for the residence permit, then 4 to 6 weeks for the card.