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Visa in Germany

Everything you need to know after Brexit

Are you moving to Germany from the UK, but wondering if you need a visa? We’ll break the bad news first; you’re going to need a visa for Germany since the UK left the EU. Brexit pains, am I right? But don’t worry, we put together this page so you can be informed on what to expect. There is some good news for those with an EU passport, you don’t need a visa, you’re an EU citizen!

Is a Visa Needed for Germany?

Since the UK left the European Union, moving to Germany will require a visa. This is an inevitable consequence, but it shouldn’t deter you from moving! We know it’s a pain, so we wrote about moving to Europe after Brexit to vent about it.

Of course, if you happen to hold a passport from another EU country, this does not affect you and you can continue moving and living in the Germany without a visa. (So, there’s no need for you to be here, but read on. You might have a friend who would find this information useful.)

VIsa in Germany

How to Get a German Visa

If you want to live and work in Germany, you will need to apply for a visa in the form of a residence permit. You cannot work with out a visa. In our experience, the smartest and easiest thing to is apply before you go. But you can also apply for a work visa in Germany after you arrive.

How do you apply for a German visa in the UK? Well, simply apply at the German Embassy in London or consulate in Edinburgh. There you will be able to find all relevant information you need, help to choose the right Visa for you, and even help with the application process.

Oh, you’re going to wait until you get to Germany? Brave choice, but it shouldn’t be a bother. All you need to do is to apply at the local foreign office’s (Ausländerbehörde) migration and immigration office after you’ve moved.

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When applying, it is advisable to think about some of the more common reasons that a residency permit is granted, it’ll make the process easier:

  • Studying
  • Internship
  • Freelance
  • Skilled Job-Seekers
  • Self-Employment
  • Foreign professional in a non-regulated profession

Sirelo tip: Before you go to the immigration office, you will need to register your address within 14 days of your arrival in your municipality to prove you are living in Germany. If you change your address in the future, you will have to register the change of address.

VIsa in Germany

Non EU or UK Nationals

Passport holders from select third nations living in the UK such as: Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, and the United States of America; can, similarly, apply before moving to Germany at the embassy or consulate, or after arrival at the local foreign office.

For those from other third nations not listed above, you must apply at apply at the embassy or consulate before moving to Germany.

If there’s one thing you take awake from this, it should be to remember that you’ll need a visa when moving to Germany from the UK, and that it’s not to hard to apply for.

Of course, getting a visa for Germany isn’t the only thing you have to do when moving to Germany. So, why not read some of our other pages before you go? The more you read the better informed you’ll be and the easier your move will be. Go on, read some more, you know you want to. 😉