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Residence of Canadian citizens
All information about the stay of Canadian citizens in Germany and visa applications from Canada.
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What special entry requirements apply to Canadians?
How to apply for a work visa for Germany from Canada
How you as a Canadian can obtain a residence permit in Germany
what the Canadian Youth Mobility Programme is
1. Visa-free entry to Canada
1.1 Stay up to 90 days
1.2 No work during visa-free stay
2. Apply for a visa at the embassy in Toronto
3. Residence permit for Canadian citizens in Berlin
4. Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada
5. FAQ
6. Conclusion
1. Visa-free entry to Canada
Due to the political and cultural ties between the two countries, Canadian citizens enjoy privileged status in Germany when it comes to applying for residence permits. This applies not only to visa-free entry into Germany (see the visa list of the Federal Foreign Office ) but also, unlike other nationalities who can enter visa-free, to the ability to apply for a residence permit directly in Germany. While other nationalities can only apply for permanent residence in Germany with a visa from their embassy in their home country, Canadians can enter without a visa and apply for a residence permit directly at the immigration office in Germany (§ 41 AufenthV).
For visa-free entry for Canadian citizens, the general requirements of the Schengen Borders Code must be met (see Article 6 of the Schengen Borders Code (EU Regulation 2016/399)) . This primarily means that Canadians must possess a valid passport. The passport should also have at least one blank data page, as Canadian citizens also receive an entry stamp upon arrival in Germany. Another requirement for visa-free entry for foreign nationals from Canada is that they can prove the purpose of their trip at the border and demonstrate that they can finance their stay in Germany. Specifically, for business trips, this means that a corresponding letter of invitation from the inviting company and proof of hotel booking must be presented at the border.
1.1 Stay up to 90 days
Canadians can stay in Germany for up to 90 days within any 180-day period after successful entry without a visa (§ 41 AufenthV). The EU Commission provides the " Schengen Calculator " for a precise calculation of the 90-day period. The stay of Canadian citizens can also be extended beyond 90 days if a residence permit is applied for at the immigration office during the visa-free stay. In this case, the so-called "fiction effect" applies, which legalizes the stay until the immigration office has decided on the application for a residence permit (§ 81 para. 3 AufenthG). A certificate of deemed residence can be issued until the immigration office makes its decision. Further information can be found in our VISAGUARD guide on applying for a certificate of deemed residence .
1.2 No work during visa-free stay
However, visa-free entry for Canadian citizens generally only applies if they do not engage in any gainful employment in Germany. Therefore, a visa or residence permit is always required to take up employment, regardless of whether the foreigner comes from a privileged country like Canada or not (see Section 4a Paragraph 1 of the German Residence Act). The only exceptions to this are the so-called " deemed non-employment " provisions (Section 30 of the German Employment Ordinance). According to this regulation, Canadian citizens may pursue certain activities in Germany during a visa-free stay, although these activities are very limited. A frequently used example of permit-free employment for people from Canada is business travel or participation in trade fairs. However, it should be noted that the deemed non-employment provisions do carry some risks. If the limits of permit-free activity are exceeded, it constitutes illegal employment. In this case, severe penalties may apply (see VISAGUARD information on illegal employment of foreigners ). One of our independent VISAGUARD experts will be happy to advise you on whether or not you need a work permit for your work in Germany as a Canadian citizen.
2. Apply for a visa at the embassy in Toronto
If you are a foreign national from Toronto and intend to work full-time in Germany, it is generally advisable to apply for a visa at the German Embassy in Toronto (see the embassy's website ). The German Embassy in Toronto provides information on its website regarding the necessary documents for visa applications by Canadian citizens.
Once you have gathered the necessary documents, you can book a visa appointment through the RK Visa service . As soon as the Canadian embassy issues the visa, you can enter Germany and begin your employment. Further information can be found in our VISAGUARD guide to applying for a visa .
3. Residence permit for Canadian citizens in Berlin
If you are already residing in Germany and wish to apply for a residence permit as a Canadian citizen, you must contact your local immigration office . In Berlin, for example, residence permits for Canadian citizens are issued by the State Office for Immigration (LEA). The State Office for Immigration provides specific information for Canadian citizens on its website . If you, as a Canadian citizen, wish to apply for a residence permit pursuant to Section 26 Paragraph 1 of the Employment Ordinance (BeschV) at the Berlin Immigration Office, you must submit the following documents:
Valid passport
Employment contract
Rental agreement including details of the living space
Proof of monthly rent (e.g. bank statement)#
Proof of your health insurance
The collected documents must then be submitted via the LEA contact form . The immigration office will then schedule an appointment for you. Booking an appointment is no longer possible in Berlin (see the VISAGUARD blog post on the abolition of the appointment system in Berlin ).
4. Youth Mobility Agreement with Canada
Effective April 6, 2017, the agreement between Germany and Canada to promote youth mobility was amended (the so-called Youth Mobility Agreement ). The program aims to enable young people to supplement their post-secondary general and vocational education in the other country or to gain experience in the labor market. Applications can be submitted to the consular missions of the Federal Republic of Germany in Canada as well as to the relevant authorities in Germany. The program offers a flexible opportunity for young people to expand their professional and cultural competence internationally. Visas issued by a German mission under the Youth Mobility Program are initially limited to three months. However, upon application, these can be extended as a residence permit under Section 19c Paragraph 1 of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) for a maximum of 12 months . This extension under the Youth Mobility Agreement allows participants to further develop their experience in the German labor market.
5. FAQ Canadian citizens in Germany
Can Canadian citizens enter Germany without a visa?
Yes, Canadians are allowed to enter Germany visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days (§ 41 AufenthV).
Are Canadian nationals affected by the new ETIAS regulations?
Yes, since Canadian nationals can enter without a visa, they will be subject to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) from mid-2025.
Which German embassies are responsible for Canadian citizens?
For Canadian citizens, the German diplomatic missions in Canada are primarily responsible, in particular the embassy in Toronto.
Can Canadians apply for a residence permit after entering Germany?
Yes, Canadian citizens may apply for a residence permit directly at the immigration office in Germany without a prior visa. In this case, the legal fiction of approval applies (§ 81 para. 3 AufenthG).
Are Canadians allowed to work during their visa-free stay?
No, employment is not permitted during a visa-free stay, except for activities exempt from permit requirements under Section 30 of the Employment Ordinance (e.g., business trips). A residence permit is required for all other work.
What is the Youth Mobility Programme between Canada and Germany?
The Youth Mobility Agreement allows young Canadians to gain professional experience in Germany for up to 12 months.
6. Conclusion: Canadian citizens in Germany
On this page, you have learned about the special visa and residence regulations that apply to Canadians in Germany. Canadian citizens are citizens of the so-called "Best Friends" countries and, as such, can enter Germany without a visa, apply for a residence permit (§ 41 AufenthV), and work without a formally recognized qualification (§ 26 para. 1 BeschV). Overall, Canadians in Germany are very privileged compared to other nationalities, especially with regard to labor migration regulations .
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List of Sources (Paywall)
[1] BeckOK AuslR/Klaus, 29th Ed. April 1, 2021, BeschV § 26
[2] Offer/Mävers, Commentary on the Employment Ordinance, 2nd ed. 2022, § 26