Residence permit orientation

Assumptions

• This tool is orientation only. It points to information to read and never determines whether you qualify for any permit, status or citizenship. Decisions are made by German missions abroad, the local immigration authority (in Berlin the LEA) and the BAMF.
• The questions are simplified and do not cover every route - for example au pairs, researchers, working holiday, intra-company transfers, retirement, vocational training or language courses. If no answer fits well, start with the residence permits overview guide.
• Salary thresholds (EU Blue Card €50,700 and €45,934.20 per year) and other amounts are those published for 2026 and change regularly.
• The list of visa-free nationalities refers to section 41 of the Residence Ordinance (Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States). Other nationalities may visit visa-free but generally need a national visa for a long-term stay.
• Links point to Berlin authorities. If you live elsewhere in Germany, your local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) is responsible and its procedures may differ.
• Rules for asylum and temporary protection changed significantly in 2025 and 2026; anyone seeking protection should use a free counselling service in addition to this tool.

Assumptions and sources are written in English.

Sources