Entering Germany

For citizens of states within the European Union

You do not need a visa to enter Germany. You need a valid passport or identity card.

The following rules currently apply: Auswärtiges Amt (please click).

For citizens of states outside the European Union

The following rules currently apply: (Link ->) Auswärtiges Amt (please click).

Visas

You can find a list of states from which you do not need a visa to enter Germany here.

You can find a list of states from which you do not need a visa to enter Germany here

If you need a visa to enter Germany, you must apply for a visa in person at the German Embassy in your home country before travelling to Germany. representative office/Embassy

This video explains the most important steps from the application process to your arrival in Germany (using the example of the Blue Card).

First things to do after you have arrived in Germany Federal Foreign Office

First things to do after you have arrived in Germany

Please have a look here.

Useful links

Auswärtiges Amt (German Foreign Office)
Information about visas

Make it in Germany
Information about living, working, training or studying in Germany. Use the Quick Check to test your chances of living and working in Germany.

Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (Federal Agency for Migration and Refugees)
Information for people coming to live in Germany

Service Portal for Baden-Württemberg
Useful information including local contact addresses in your area.

Webportal „Mein Weg nach Deutschland” (My way to Germany)
The site is for immigrants with little or no knowledge of German. The Information are in 17 different languages.

The Fair Mobility project
The website includes information about the orientation on the German labor market for migrant workers from other countries. There are also consulting services for all industrial sectors.

Handouts

Brochure “Welcome to Germany” “Arbeiten in Deutschland”: guide to working in Germany “Leben in Deutschland”: guide to living in Germany