Residence by nationality
On this page you will find out everything about the applicable residence rights for your nationality.
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Different standards apply in German residence law depending on nationality . For example, citizens of "Best Friends" countries can rely on privileged rules ( Section 26 of the Employment Regulations (BeschV ) and Section 41 of the Residence Regulations (AufenthV ), while other nationalities must apply for a visa even for short stays. The differences in the applicable rules arise primarily from the fact that Germany and/or the European Union have concluded various international agreements with different countries. On this page, you will find legal articles on the rules applicable to your nationality.
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Differences in visa law according to nationality
Germany is an attractive destination for international professionals, students, and entrepreneurs. However, visa and residence law in Germany strictly distinguishes between different nationalities with regard to entry requirements, residence options, and work permits. In this article, we provide an overview of the most important regulations for non-EU citizens, depending on their country of origin and purpose of stay.
Visa-free entry
An important difference depending on nationality arises in the entry regulations. In this respect, numerous nationalities are allowed to enter Germany without a visa. The Federal Foreign Office provides the so-called A visa list is available, which shows which nationalities require a visa to enter Germany and which do not. However, it should always be noted that visa-free entry only applies if you do not intend to stay long-term and do not intend to pursue any gainful employment or work in Germany. Visa-free entry to Germany is therefore generally only possible for a short-term stay. If you enter visa-free for short-term purposes and then apply for a long-term visa, this may be deceptive if you already knew upon entry for a short-term stay that you intended to stay long-term. The so-called "Best Friends" countries (see below) are an exception to this.
Best Friends countries
The so-called "Best Friends" countries are massively privileged with regard to residence opportunities in Germany. The Best Friends countries include the following:
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Australia
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Israel
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Japan
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Canada
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Republic of Korea (South Korea)
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New Zealand
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United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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United States of America
Nationals of these countries can enter Germany and apply for a residence permit, even if they originally entered for short-term purposes ( Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance ). In addition, nationals of these countries can take up gainful employment in Germany without formal recognition of their qualifications ( Section 26 of the Employment Ordinance ). Nationals of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino are only entitled to unskilled employment (Section 26 of the Employment Ordinance), but not to apply for a residence permit in Germany (Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance) if they are entering the country for the purpose of employment (Section 41 (2) of the Residence Ordinance). It should also be noted that the aforementioned privileges do not apply if an ICT card is applied for in Germany (Section 41 (4) of the Residence Ordinance).
