Retirement visa for wealthy US Americans

More and more Americans are discovering Germany as an attractive place for their retirement . The reasons are obvious: high quality of life, good medical care, cultural diversity, and a relatively stable environment. However, non-EU citizens who want to live permanently in Germany need a suitable residence permit . For Americans who have sufficient financial means and can support themselves from their own assets, the German Residence Act offers an interesting option: the residence permit pursuant to Section 7, Paragraph 1, Sentence 3 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) – often referred to as a "retirement visa" or " golden visa ."

Residence permit according to Section 7 of the Residence Act – the basis for a retirement visa

Section 7, paragraph 1, sentence 3 of the Residence Act allows the immigration authorities to issue a residence permit in “justified cases” even if the purpose of stay is not explicitly stated in the law. This provision is intended to avoid hardship cases and to enable sensible reasons for stay that do not fall into the typical categories – such as work , studies or family reunification . In practice, this regulation is mainly applied to so-called wealthy foreigners . These are people who have considerable financial means and want to live permanently in Germany without working. The decisive factor is that they can sustainably support themselves from their own assets or income from them – for example from investments, real estate or pension payments.

Administrative courts have explicitly recognized this category of cases. For example, the Freiburg Administrative Court emphasized in 2018 that a substantial, permanently profitable asset portfolio can constitute objective justification for a residence permit under Section 7 of the Residence Act. It is important that the assets are so stable that there is no risk of depletion and that a person's livelihood remains secure in the long term. For example, anyone who has a pension or income from investments that permanently covers their living expenses in Germany generally meets the requirements.

Requirements for a retirement visa in Germany

An application for a retirement visa for US citizens will generally be successful if the following criteria are met:

1. Proof of significant financial resources: Applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient assets or regular income to permanently secure their livelihood in Germany. A net worth of several hundred thousand US dollars is required for this. No burden on the social security system: Those who live off their own assets without being employed in Germany place neither a burden on the labor market nor the social security system. This is a central aspect of the immigration authorities' discretionary decision.

2. Permanent security of livelihood: It's not enough to have money temporarily—the financial foundation must be sustainable in the long term. Regular income (e.g., rental income or interest) is therefore advantageous.

3. No interest in deportation: Of course, there must be no reason that speaks against residence, such as criminal offenses.

Furthermore, the 1954 Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation between Germany and the United States plays an important role for Americans . This agreement grants US citizens certain legal advantages over other third-country nationals. It underscores the close partnership between the two countries and can further facilitate the issuance of a residence permit.

Conclusion: Germany as a destination for retirement

The so-called retirement visa under Section 7 of the Residence Act is an attractive option for Americans who wish to spend their retirement in Germany . It offers a legally recognized path to permanent residence here without the need for gainful employment. The crucial requirement is that applicants can support themselves from their own assets or regular income and do not represent a burden on the social security system. For many wealthy Americans, this is a realistic and legally secure way to enjoy retirement in Germany – whether in a major city like Berlin or Munich, in the wine regions along the Rhine, or in the picturesque landscapes of Bavaria.

VISAGUARD supports applicants in preparing the appropriate documentation, providing a legally sound justification for their application, and professionally advising them throughout the entire process with the immigration authorities. Therefore, anyone planning to spend their retirement in Germany should consider the legal options for a retirement visa early on – and thus lay the foundation for a relaxed life in Europe.