Visa & residency options
For skilled non-EU workers with a degree and job offer. 2026 salary thresholds: €50,700/yr general; €45,934/yr for shortage occupations (STEM, IT, healthcare). Processing 4–20 weeks.
Points-based job-seeker visa — no offer required. Min funds €1,091/mo (€13,092/yr). Stay up to 1 year.
Vocational qualification + job offer; no Blue-Card salary floor. Settlement after 4 years (2 with B1 German).
Residency: Settlement (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in 3–4 years depending on route.
Tax & cost of living
Progressive income tax 14–45%; 5.5% solidarity surcharge above €73,000 income; optional church tax 8–9%; social security ~20% split employer/employee.
- Rent (1BR city): €1,200–€1,800
- Meal out: €12–€15
- Transport pass: €29/mo Deutschlandticket
Banking & business setup
Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, N26 (digital), DKB. Blocked account of €13,092 required for Opportunity Card via Deutsche Bank or Fintiba.
GmbH requires €25,000 capital (€12,500 paid up); UG mini-GmbH from €1. Notary + commercial register €800–€1,500. Freelancer registration via Finanzamt — no minimum capital. Citizenship after 5 years (3 in exceptional cases since 2024).
Living in country
Anmeldung within 14 days of move. SCHUFA credit check required. Tenant-friendly Mietpreisbremse caps in major cities.
Statutory GKV (~14.6% of salary, split with employer) or private PKV above income threshold.
Free universities incl. English-taught Masters at TUM, RWTH, FU Berlin. International Gymnasium widely available.
Engineering, automotive (BMW, Bosch), IT, healthcare, renewables. Shortage occupation list refreshed quarterly.