German Work Visa And Residence Permit Requirements: A Guide For Employers

Looking to hire foreigners in Germany, or want to relocate international employees? When hiring distributed talent, it’s important to familiarize yourself with work permit and visa regulations before you kick off the hiring process. 

Employment in Germany can be challenging if you’re not familiar with the labor laws or the requirements for a work visa or residence permit.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide for employers, that outlines your responsibilities to support your employees. The good news is, it is generally considered easy for candidates to receive a work permit in Germany in contrast to other countries!

As an Employer Of Record, Playroll can help you simplify the process of hiring international employees even further, and also offer visa support services in Germany. 

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What’s The Difference Between A German Work Visa, Work Permit and a Residence Permit?

A visa is temporary and allows someone to enter Germany for a short period of time for a specific purpose, and is obtained before they enter the country. It is not necessarily tied to employment. For example, a Schengen visa allows someone to enter Germany for 90 days in any 180 days period, but doesn’t mean they can take up employment. 

If an employee wants to stay and work in Germany in the long-term, they’ll need a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel), a term that is used interchangeably with a work permit or work visa. 

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Who Needs a Residence Permit or Visa To Work in Germany?

An employee’s citizenship status and current country of residence will affect whether they need to apply for a visa, a residence permit, or both when entering Germany for employment purposes. The differences are as follows:

• EU nationals and citizens from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland don’t need a visa or residence permit to enter Germany and start working.
• Citizens of the following countries don’t need a visa to enter the country, but will need a residence permit to work in the country after their arrival in Germany: Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and the United States of America.

Citizens of other countries should apply for a work visa to enter the country, along with a residence permit.

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What Are the Types of Residence Permits or Work Visas in Germany?

Germany offers several types of work visas or residence permits to cater to different employment needs and durations:

• The Job Seeker Visa allows foreign nationals to enter Germany for up to six months to seek employment. They will need to apply for a residence permit after receiving their job offer.
• The work visa for qualified professionals, lasting for a maximum of four years –  this requires a degree that is recognized in Germany and a specific job offer from an employer in Germany. If qualified, the employee will obtain a temporary residence permit for qualified employment.
• The work visa for professionally experienced workers is suited for employees who work in non-regulated professions. At least two years of vocational training is required for this visa. If qualified, the employee will obtain a temporary residence permit to take up employment as a skilled worker.
• The EU Blue Card is designed for highly skilled workers with higher education degrees that are not EU nationals, and offers a pathway to permanent residency. It is valid for up to four years.
• A Permanent Residence Permit, also known as the Settlement Permit, is needed for long-term employment and residency in Germany. It is typically granted to those who previously had a Temporary Residence Permit or an EU Blue Card. This permit has more stringent requirements, such as requiring proof that the permit holder has worked for five years or more, and advanced German language skills.

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The Eligibility Requirements for a Residence Permit in Germany

Each type of residence permit or visa has its own set of requirements. However, some general requirements for a visa application or residence permit could include:

• Valid Job Offer: A formal job offer from a company.
• A minimum salary requirement is required to obtain certain residence permits, such as the EU Blue Card.
• The employee's qualifications or academic degree must be recognized in Germany. Employees can use the Anabin database to check the validity of their qualifications.
• Proof of health insurance coverage.
• Evidence of sufficient financial resources.

The application process involves submitting required documentation, attending interviews, and waiting for approval. 

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What is the Process for Visa Sponsorship in Germany?

There is no formal process of visa sponsorship required for employees to receive their residence permits or work visa in Germany. However, employers should support their employees in the following ways:

• Supply all necessary documents as the employer. To process residence permits, the Federal Employment Agency requires the employer to complete the “Declaration of Employment” form, for example. 
• Provide guidance and help employees understand the application process, timelines, and required steps.
• Stay updated with legal requirements and ensure that all documentation and processes adhere to German immigration laws.

Does Germany Offer A Digital Nomad Visa?

No, Germany doesn’t offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. However, the freelance visa (Freiberufler) and the self-employment visa (Selbständiger) can provide similar benefits to remote workers.

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Hire International Employees in Germany With Playroll

As you can see, there’s plenty of administrative work to do if you want to hire a non-citizen or relocate an employee to Germany. Each country has its own rules around immigration, employment, and tax practices. It can be overwhelming to stay on top of local legislation while hiring abroad.

Successfully hiring foreign nationals in Germany or relocating talent involves plenty of legwork from both employees and employers. You also need to ensure you remain compliant and up to date with local employment laws and tax regulations. 

It doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Playroll offers comprehensive Employer Of Record services to ensure compliance with local labor laws. An EOR simplifies hiring, paying and managing a distributed workforce, so you can focus on your business. With Playroll, you don’t need to establish your own entity to start hiring global talent.

Payroll also offers visa support services in Germany, to support any of your employees that are immigrating to the country. 

Contact our team for more information on how we can assist with hiring global talent or visa sponsorship support.

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