Work Visa
in Germany.

SALARY PAYMENT IN Euro (EUR, €)

CONTRACT LANGUAGES German / English

PAYROLL TAX 20.66%

PAYROLL CYCLE Monthly

TIME TO HIRE 48 hours

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Germany

Types of work visa in Germany

Germany has a range of different work visas available, the main types being the:

EU Blue Card. This work visa is for non-EU citizens who are highly skilled and have a university degree or similar technical qualifications. This visa must be sponsored by a German employer. Individuals with this visa can live and work in Germany from 1-4 years. It can also be renewed for an additional 1-4 years. Please note that minimum salary requirements apply.
Jobseeker Visa. This is a temporary visa (up to 6 months) for non-EU citizens moving to Germany in search of work.
Skilled Worker Visa. This work visa is for highly-skilled workers in a qualifying profession who do not otherwise meet the requirements for the EU Blue Card. It lasts for the length of the work contract. As with the Blue Card, there is a minimum salary requirement.
EU Permanent Residence Permit. This is a long-term residence permit. It is available to non-EU citizens who have lived in Germany for at least five years and allows an individual to work in Germany for an indefinite period.

Required documents for a work visa in Germany

The requirements may vary depending on where the employee will be relocating to/which immigration office is responsible for the application but in general, the following documents will be necessary:

Two fully completed application forms (printed and hand-signed by the employee)
Two current passport photographs
Valid passport (generally needs to be valid for at least 6 more months)
Proof of residence in Germany
Proof of health insurance
Employment contract / binding job offer
Approval by the Federal Employment Agency (If applicable)
Curriculum Vitae
Proof of Qualification (Diplomas, Certificates, etc)
Personal covering letter explaining the exact purpose and duration of stay
Proof of a clean criminal record
Proof of paid visa fee (Declaration of Accuracy of Information)

Process to get a work visa in Germany

Getting a work visa when the employee is based outside of Germany

There are three step to getting a work visa in Germany if the employee is based outside of Germany, then they must

Schedule an appointment at the local German embassy in their home country to apply for an entry visa.
After the entry visa is issued by the embassy, then the employee must make the necessary travel arrangements to go to Germany.
Once in Germany, the employee must make and attend an appointment to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of taking up employment.

Getting a work visa when the employee is based inside of Germany

Getting a work visa when the employee is based inside of Germany is not so straightforward, however Horizons is here to help.

Nearly everyone has to apply for a visa for employment at the German embassy or consulate in their home country before entering Germany.

Special notes about work visas in Germany

There are several special note about work visas in Germany:

EU citizens do not need a work permit to work in Germany. The Right of Residence allows EU citizens to live and work in any EU country.
UK Citizens need a work permit if they start working in Germany after Brexit.
The minimum wage for expats in Germany is the same as for locals.
Foreign nationals holding permanent residency in Germany (and holding a social insurance card) are considered local nationals for the purposes of employment opportunity. As such, they do not need a work visa to work in Germany.
Foreign nationals holding a EU Blue card are considered local nationals for the purposes of employment opportunity. As such, they do not need a work visa to work in Germany.

Hiring in Germany, Made Easy

Your business can easily hire employees in Germany without opening a local entity. We handle local employment law, complex tax regulations, and international payroll in 180+ countries worldwide. All you need to do is focus on your business.

FAQs

What is the EU Blue Card?

The EU Blue Cars allow holders to work and reside in any EU Country. Applicants of the EU Blue Card must have spent 3 years completing higher education in the EU, or have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the EU. You can also obtain a EU Blue Card if you have a university education and have a job offer to a position with a that is skilled labor. Holders of the EU Blue Card must have a salary that is 20%-50% higher than the average.

Can Germany work visa holders bring their family members?

Yes, if dependents are also travelling to Germany, their details can usually be added to the employee’s application form. Alternatively, employees’ dependents can usually immigrate to Germany on a family reunification visa.

How long will it take to get a work visa in Germany?

According to the German government, the visa process could take between 6 and 8 weeks.

How long can I stay in Germany on a work visa?

The standard period of validity in Germany for a EU Blue Card holder is four years. However, if the employment contract is of shorter duration, the EU Blue Card will be issued for, or extended to, the duration of the contract plus three months. For example, a standard 18 month contract means the EU Blue Card will be valid for 21 months.

Can a global employer of record provide a work visa in Germany?

In Germany, a global employer of record (EOR) is not allowed to sponsor work visas. This is where Horizons can help your business. We have our own entity under a labor-leasing license (Arbeitnehmerüberlassungsgesetz AÜG). We can employ your staff on an unlimited (open-ended) contract, but they will be deployed for you for a maximum of 18 continuous months.

Please inquire about a free consultation to discuss your EOR and visa project circumstances in Germany.

Success stories from businesses we’ve helped enter and grow in new markets.

Client Testimonials

"As a seed-stage, London-based startup, we were initially hesitant to expand internationally due to the administrative workload involved. Horizons took the headache out of the process, allowing us to hire a team of software engineers in Germany."

Gabor SzedlakCo-founder & COO at MindLabs (UK)

"I truly appreciated the thoroughness and the professionalism of Horizons personnel while we hired internationally with them. They were knowledgable on all subject matters pertaining to international employment."

Gary PaskyVP Software Development, PICS ITech (USA)

"On deciding to begin commercial activities in Asia Pacific, we needed a provider to handle the employment and remuneration of our workforce. With Horizons the result was fast, efficient, and fit-for-purpose. We recommend Horizons as an EOR provider.”

Chris MorrellManaging Director, Schaeffler Group (Germany)

"The collaboration with the Horizons team is excellent. Both our local employee as well as our HQ in Germany are more than pleased with the support provided and the simplicity of the service. We can highly recommend the Horizons solution to anyone."

Christoph EngelbertCo-Founder & CTO, Clevabit (Germany)

"We needed an EOR that could provide expert support for payroll in APAC. We are pleased with Horizons’ expertise and the fact that they are flexible, responsive, and easily accessible from Belgium. They were able to provide services within the short timeline we required."

Katia FlamandHuman Resources, Devian Chemicals (Belgium)

Work Visa
in Germany.

Types of work visa in Germany

Required documents for a work visa in Germany

Process to get a work visa in Germany

Getting a work visa when the employee is based outside of Germany

Getting a work visa when the employee is based inside of Germany

Special notes about work visas in Germany

Hiring in Germany, Made Easy

FAQs

Success stories from businesses we’ve helped enter and grow in new markets.

Client Testimonials

180+

100+

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130+

180+

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The Global Workforce Payment Platform

What to expect when you connect with Horizons

Work Visa in Germany.

Types of work visa in Germany

Required documents for a work visa in Germany

Process to get a work visa in Germany

Getting a work visa when the employee is based outside of Germany

Getting a work visa when the employee is based inside of Germany

Special notes about work visas in Germany

Hiring in Germany, Made Easy

FAQs

Success stories from businesses we’ve helped enter and grow in new markets.

Client Testimonials

180+

100+

24x5

130+

180+

100+

24x5

130+

The Global Workforce Payment Platform

What to expect when you connect with Horizons

Work Visa
in Germany.