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Residence of British citizens
All information on the stay of British citizens in Germany and on visa applications from Great Britain.
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About this Page
which special entry regulations apply to Britons
How to apply for a work visa in the UK
How to obtain a residence permit in Germany as a Briton
Information on visa law under Brexit special provisions
Table of Contents
1. Visa-free entry to Great Britain
1.1 Stay up to 90 days
1.2 No work during visa-free stay
2. Apply for a visa at the embassy in London
3. Residence permit for British nationals in Berlin
4. Visa and Brexit
5. FAQ
6. Conclusion
Due to the political and cultural ties between the two countries, British nationals are privileged when it comes to applying for residence permits in Germany. For British nationals, this not only applies to visa-free entry to Germany (see the Federal Foreign Office visa list ). Rather, people from Great Britain, unlike other nationals who can enter visa-free, can also apply for a residence permit directly in Germany. While other nationals can only apply for permanent residence in Germany with a visa from the embassy in their home country, people from Great Britain can enter without a visa and apply for a residence permit directly in Germany at the immigration office (Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance).
1. Visa-free entry to Great Britain
For visa-free entry for British citizens, it is necessary that the general requirements of the Schengen Borders Code are met (see Article 6 of the Schengen Borders Code (EU Regulation 2016/399) . This primarily means that people from Great Britain must have a valid passport to enter the country. The passport should also have at least one blank data page, as British citizens also receive an entry stamp upon entry into Germany. A further requirement for visa-free entry for foreign nationals from Great Britain is that they can prove the purpose of their entry at the border and can finance their stay in Germany. In concrete terms, this means, for example, for business trips that a corresponding letter of invitation from the inviting company and a hotel booking must be presented at the border.
1.1 Stay up to 90 days
After successfully entering Germany, people from England can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa (Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance). The EU Commission provides the so-called “ Schengen Calculator ” for a precise calculation of the 90 days. The stay of British nationals can also be extended after 90 days if a residence permit is applied for at the immigration authorities during the visa-free stay. In this case, the so-called “fiktionswirkung” (fictional effect) comes into effect, which legalizes the stay until the immigration authorities have decided on the application for a residence permit (Section 81 (3) of the Residence Act). A fiktionszertifikat (fictional certificate) can then be issued until the immigration authorities have made a decision. Further information can be found in our VISAGUARD guide on applying for a fiktionsbescheinigung (fictional certificate ).
1.2 No work during visa-free stay
However, visa-free entry for British citizens generally only applies if they are not employed in Germany. In this respect, a visa or residence permit is always required to pursue gainful employment, regardless of whether the foreign national originates from a privileged country such as the United Kingdom or not (see Section 4a Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act). The only exceptions to this are the so-called “ non-employment fictions ” (Section 30 of the Employment Ordinance). According to this regulation, British nationals are permitted to pursue certain activities in Germany during a visa-free stay, although these activities are very limited. A frequently used type of employment for people from Great Britain that does not require a permit is, for example, business travel or participation in trade fairs. However, it should be noted that non-employment fictions do carry some risks. If the limits of the permit-free activity are exceeded, this constitutes illegal employment. In this case, heavy penalties may apply (see VISAGUARD information on illegal employment of foreign nationals ). One of our independent VISAGUARD experts will be happy to advise you on the question of whether you require a visa for your work as a British national in Germany. Whether you need a work permit or not.
2. Apply for a visa at the embassy in London
If you are a UK citizen intending to pursue full-time employment in Germany, we generally recommend applying for a visa at the German Embassy in London . The German Embassy in London provides information on the necessary documents for a visa application by British citizens on its website.
Once you have collected the necessary documents, you can book a visa appointment using the so-called RK visa . Once the embassy in London has issued the visa, you can enter Germany and pursue employment here. For more information, see our VISAGUARD guide to applying for a visa .
3. Residence permit for British nationals in Berlin
If you are already residing in Germany and wish to apply for a residence permit as a British citizen, you must contact your local immigration authority . In Berlin, for example, residence permits for British nationals are issued by the State Office for Immigration (LEA). The State Office for Immigration provides special information for British citizens on its website . If you, as a British citizen, wish to apply for a residence permit from the Berlin immigration authority in accordance with Section 26 (1) of the Residence Ordinance (BeschV), you must submit the following documents:
Valid passport
employment contract
Rental agreement with details of 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. Visa and Brexit
Since the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU on January 31, 2020, British citizens are no longer entitled to freedom of movement. This means that a visa is generally required for longer stays and for employment in Germany. However, a visa is not required for short-term stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This regulation is based on Regulation (EU) 2019/592 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 10, 2019. To work in Germany, people from England require a visa that corresponds to their respective professional purpose.
Since Brexit, special regulations have only been in place for British nationals who were already residing here . Certain transitional arrangements applied to this group of persons (Legal Status of British Nationals and Their Family Members, Section 16 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU). However, these transitional arrangements have largely expired. Therefore, the Brexit agreement is only relevant in the area of cross-border services between Great Britain and Germany.
5. FAQ
Are British nationals affected by the new ETIAS rules?
Yes, as British nationals can enter visa-free, they will be subject to the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) from mid-2025.
Can Britons enter Germany without a visa?
Yes, British citizens can enter Germany visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period (Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance). A valid passport and proof of the purpose of their stay are required.
Are British nationals allowed to work during their visa-free stay?
No, even British nationals are not permitted to work during their visa-free stay. A visa or residence permit is required for any form of work (Section 4a (1) of the Residence Act). Exceptions apply only to certain activities under Section 30 of the Employment Ordinance.
How do British nationals apply for a residence permit in Germany?
Britons can apply directly in Germany – for example, at the relevant immigration office in Berlin. Documents required include a passport, rental agreement, employment contract, and proof of health insurance. The application can be submitted online.
What impact will Brexit have on the residence permits of British nationals?
Since Brexit, British citizens generally require a visa or residence permit for longer stays or employment. Transitional arrangements only apply to persons already living in Germany before December 31, 2020 (Section 16 of the EU Freedom of Movement Act).
6. Conclusion
On this page, you learned about the special visa and residence regulations that apply to Britons in Germany. British citizens are citizens of the so-called "Best Friends" countries and, as such, can enter Germany without a visa, apply for a residence permit (Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance), and work without having a formally recognized qualification (Section 26 (1) of the Employment Ordinance).
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Priority check (Best Friends nationals)
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