This guide covers moving to Germany in 2026, step by step: residence permits, registering your address, health insurance, banking and citizenship.
What changed for people moving to Germany in 2025 and 2026
The short answer: salary thresholds went up, the three-year citizenship route went away, and almost every cost-of-living figure tied to the state rose on 1 January 2026. If you are reading older guides, check these figures first, because many competing pages still quote 2024 or 2025 numbers.
| Change | Before | Now (2026) | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU Blue Card standard salary threshold | €48,300 (2025) | €50,700 gross per year | Offers between these figures no longer qualify for the standard Blue Card |
| EU Blue Card reduced threshold (shortage occupations, new graduates, experienced IT staff) | €43,759.80 (2025) | €45,934.20 gross per year | Still the main route for engineers, IT and health professionals early in their careers |
| Skilled worker permit, first-time applicants aged 45 or over | Lower in 2025 | €55,770 gross per year (or proof of adequate pension provision) | Older applicants must hit a higher salary bar than the Blue Card |
| Citizenship by “exceptional integration” after three years | Available from June 2024 | Abolished (October 2025) | Five years is now the standard minimum for most people |
| Opportunity Card proof of funds | Set annually | €1,091 net per month (official 2026 figure) | Check the current figure before you fund a blocked account |
| Minimum wage | €12.82 per hour | €13.90 per hour (€14.60 planned for 2027) | Affects part-time work on the Opportunity Card and student budgets |
| Statutory health insurance: compulsory insurance ceiling | €73,800 | €77,400 per year | You must earn above this as an employee to opt for private cover |
| Deutschlandticket (national local transport pass) | €58 per month | €63 per month | Small but real increase to the monthly budget |
Correcting a popular assumption: If you have read that you can become a German citizen in three years by learning C1 German, that route no longer exists. The Bundestag voted to scrap it in October 2025. Only spouses and registered partners of German citizens can still apply after three years of residence (provided the relationship has lasted at least two years).
Still in the pipeline: the federal government has announced a digital “Work-and-Stay Agency” intended to link visa offices, the Federal Employment Agency and local immigration offices into a single service for skilled workers. The Federal Cabinet approved only key points for the agency on 5 November 2025, and as at autumn 2026 no launch date had been announced. Do not plan your move around it yet; the current consular and local processes still apply.
Do you need a visa to move to Germany?
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a visa or residence permit; everyone else needs a residence title for stays over 90 days. How you get that title depends on your passport.
| Your nationality | Can you enter visa-free and apply inside Germany? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| EU / EEA / Switzerland | Not applicable: free movement | Move, register your address, start work |
| UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel | Yes | Enter visa-free, register your address, then apply to the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) within 90 days of entry |
| All other nationalities | Generally no | Apply for a national (D) visa at the German embassy or consulate before travelling, usually through the Federal Foreign Office’s online Consular Services Portal |
Warning: Entering visa-free does not give you permission to work. If you are from one of the privileged countries listed above, you still cannot start a job until the immigration office has issued a residence title that permits employment, and the Federal Employment Agency usually has to approve the job first. The first residence permit usually costs €100, and processing times vary widely between cities, so check with your local office. If your case is refused or complicated, see how to find an immigration lawyer in Germany.
British citizens moving after Brexit are treated as third-country nationals unless they were already resident in Germany before 1 January 2021. Our Moving to Germany from the UK checklist covers the UK-specific steps.
Visa and residence routes compared
For most people, the right route is decided by one question: do you already have a job offer? If yes, compare the Blue Card and the skilled worker permit. If not, the Opportunity Card lets you come and look.
| Route | Who it suits | Key requirement (2026) | Job offer needed first? | Fastest path to permanent residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU Blue Card | Graduates (or IT specialists with experience) with a qualifying offer | €50,700 gross per year, or €45,934.20 for shortage occupations, recent graduates and experienced IT staff; contract of at least six months | Yes | 21 months with B1 German, or 27 months with A1 German |
| Skilled worker residence permit (Sections 18a / 18b) | Holders of recognised vocational or academic qualifications | Recognised qualification; job approved by the Federal Employment Agency; €55,770 if 45+ and new to Germany | Yes | Generally after three years in qualified employment, subject to conditions |
| Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | Skilled people without an offer yet | Recognised qualification, or at least 6 points; €1,091 net per month in funds; up to 20 hours of part-time work a week | No | Switch to a work permit once you find a job |
| Freelance or self-employed permit | Freelancers, founders | Viable business plan, financing, often a local economic interest | No (clients or business plan instead) | Settlement permit is typically possible after three years for the self-employed, subject to conditions |
| Student visa | Degree students | University admission and proof of funds (usually a blocked account) | No | Switch to a work permit after graduation |
| Family reunification | Spouses and children of residents | Depends on the sponsor’s status; basic German often required for spouses | No | Follows the sponsor’s status |
Note on figures that conflict: Proof-of-funds figures differ by visa type. In 2026 the Opportunity Card requires €1,091 net per month, while a student visa requires €11,904 a year (€992 a month). Confirm the exact figure with the German mission handling your application before you fund an account.
Our dedicated guides go deeper on each route: Germany Work Visa: Requirements & Application and Germany Opportunity Card: Requirements & Application. If your case is complicated (a previous refusal, self-employment, or a qualification that is only partly recognised), a specialist can save months: browse immigration and visa lawyers in Germany.
Step-by-step: the moving timeline
Plan for three to six months between deciding to move and holding your residence permit, longer if you need qualification recognition or a consular appointment in a busy country.
| When | Step | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3–6 months before | Choose your route; start qualification recognition if needed | Recognition of vocational qualifications typically takes three to four months |
| 3–6 months before | Book a consular appointment (if you need a D visa) | Waiting times vary hugely by country |
| 2–3 months before | Arrange health insurance and, if required, a blocked account | Insurance proof is needed for most visas |
| 1–2 months before | Secure accommodation, at least temporary | You need a landlord’s confirmation to register |
| 1–2 months before | Book international movers or shipping | See moving costs |
| Week 1–2 after arrival | Register your address (Anmeldung) | Legal deadline: two weeks |
| Week 2–4 | Open a bank account; receive tax ID by post | Your tax ID arrives automatically after registration |
| Within 90 days (privileged nationals) | Apply for your residence title at the Ausländerbehörde | Book early; appointments are scarce in large cities |
| First months | Exchange or check your driving licence | Deadlines apply to non-EU licences |
For a professional to handle some or all of this, see relocation services in Germany.
Registering your address (Anmeldung)
Everyone who moves into a home in Germany must register their address at the local residents’ office within two weeks. This is not optional, and almost everything else depends on it: your tax ID, bank account, residence permit and often your phone contract.
You will usually need:
- a valid passport (or EU ID card);
- a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, a short form signed by your landlord confirming that you have moved in. A rental contract on its own is generally not accepted;
- the registration form for your municipality.
Warning: Late registration is an administrative offence under the Federal Registration Act, with fines of up to €1,000. If you cannot get an appointment within the deadline, keep evidence that you tried to book one. Book your appointment as soon as you have a move-in date.
Short-term sublets and some serviced flats will not issue a landlord confirmation. Check this before you sign, or you may be unable to register at all.
Health insurance: public or private
Health insurance is compulsory in Germany, and most employees are automatically enrolled in the public (statutory) system. You can only choose private cover as an employee if your gross salary exceeds €77,400 a year in 2026.
| Public (GKV) | Private (PKV) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can join | All employees below the ceiling; many others voluntarily | Employees above €77,400, the self-employed, civil servants |
| Cost basis | 14.6% of salary plus an additional contribution (official average 2.9% for 2026), split with your employer | Based on your age, health and chosen cover |
| Contributions capped at | Salary of €69,750 a year | Not salary-linked |
| Family members | Non-earning spouse and children usually covered free | Each person needs their own policy |
| Long-term care insurance | 3.6%, plus 0.6 percentage points if you are 23 or over and childless | Separate private care policy |
Note: The 2.9% figure is the government’s official average additional contribution. Individual funds set their own rate, and many charge more than the average. Compare funds before you join.
Visa applicants often need cover from the day they arrive, before employer enrolment kicks in, and the self-employed must arrange their own. Read Healthcare in Germany for Expats, How to Register for Healthcare in Germany and Health Insurance for Expats in Germany, or compare insurance providers and brokers in Germany. To find an English-speaking doctor once you are insured, browse healthcare providers in Germany.
Money: banking, tax and cost of living
Germany taxes residents on their worldwide income, and the 2026 tax-free allowance is €12,348 per person. Above that, rates rise progressively to 42% from €69,879 of taxable income and 45% from €277,826.
| 2026 tax figure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic tax-free allowance (single / joint) | €12,348 / €24,696 |
| 42% rate starts at | €69,879 taxable income |
| 45% rate starts at | €277,826 taxable income |
| Solidarity surcharge exemption threshold (single / joint) | €20,350 / €40,700 of income tax |
| Child benefit (Kindergeld) | €259 per child per month |
| Commuter allowance | €0.38 per km from the first kilometre |
Your tax ID (Steuer-ID) is posted to your registered address a few weeks after your Anmeldung; your employer needs it to apply the correct tax class. Until then, you may be taxed at a higher emergency rate, which is refunded later.
- Opening an account: How to Open a Bank Account in Germany, and banks in Germany
- Tax in depth: Taxes for Expats Living in Germany, Expat Tax Advisers in Germany, and tax advisers in Germany
- Budgeting: Cost of Living in Germany for Expats
Finding somewhere to live
Finding a flat is the hardest part of moving to Germany for most people, particularly in Munich, Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt, where demand far exceeds supply. Most Germans rent, and long-term unfurnished leases are the norm.
Practical points:
- “Unfurnished” can mean no kitchen and no light fittings. Read listings carefully.
- Landlords commonly ask for proof of income, a credit report (SCHUFA, which new arrivals do not yet have) and a copy of your passport and permit.
- Deposits are legally capped at three months’ net rent.
- Many people start in a furnished short-term flat and search on the ground; make sure it allows Anmeldung.
Read Renting in Germany: Complete Expat Guide, How to Find an English-Speaking Estate Agent in Germany and, if you plan to buy, How to Buy Property in Germany as a Foreigner. Browse housing providers and estate agents in the directory.
Working in Germany
English-language jobs exist mainly in tech, research, start-ups and international firms; outside these, German is usually expected. The 2026 statutory minimum wage is €13.90 an hour.
Before you accept an offer, check that the salary meets the threshold for your intended permit, because an offer of €49,000 that would have qualified for a standard Blue Card in 2025 does not in 2026 unless the role is in a shortage occupation or you graduated in the last three years.
Next reads: Working in Germany as an Expat, Jobs for English Speakers in Germany, How to Start a Business in Germany as a Foreigner. Directory: employment and recruitment services and accountants.
Family, schools and pets
Children of residents can attend free state schools, which teach in German; international schools teach in English but charge fees. Schooling is compulsory, and home schooling is not generally permitted.
If your children do not speak German, an international or bilingual school may suit them better, particularly for older children. See International Schools in Germany and education providers in Germany. Many official documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, will need certified German translations: see Certified Translation Services in Germany.
Driving and getting around
A non-EU driving licence is normally valid in Germany for six months after you take up residence; after that, you need a German licence. Whether you can simply exchange it or must take tests depends on the country that issued it. The national Deutschlandticket now costs €63 a month for unlimited local and regional transport, which is why many city residents do not own a car.
Read Driving in Germany as a Foreigner and How to Exchange a UK Driving Licence in Germany, and see transport and utilities providers.
Permanent residence and citizenship
Most people can apply for German citizenship after five years of lawful residence, with B1 German, and they can keep their existing nationality. Germany has allowed dual citizenship since the June 2024 reform.
| Status | Typical minimum time | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settlement permit via EU Blue Card | 21 months (B1) or 27 months (A1) | A1 or B1 | Fastest route to permanent residence |
| Settlement permit via skilled worker permit | Around three years | Varies | Conditions apply |
| Citizenship (standard) | Five years | B1 | Dual citizenship allowed |
| Citizenship (spouse or partner of a German) | Three years, relationship of at least two years | B1 | Still available |
| Citizenship by exceptional integration | Abolished October 2025 |
The honest downsides
Germany offers strong job security, social protection and quality of life, but the bureaucracy is real and slow. Expect paper forms, appointment shortages, letters you must answer by post, and long waits at immigration offices in large cities. Housing in major cities is expensive and competitive. Social contributions take a large share of gross pay. And while you can live in English in Berlin, daily life elsewhere is much easier with German.
For a fuller picture, read What Is It Like Living in Germany as an Expat?, Is Germany a Good Place to Live? and Best Places to Live in Germany.
Frequently asked questions
