There is no official digital nomad visa in Germany. You can, however, apply for a freelancer visa (Freiberufler), which allows you to work remotely for German clients.
Citizens of the Schengen Zone can live and work in Germany for as long as they want. Those who are not so fortunate have a few different visa choices depending on how long they wish to remain.
Alternatives for Digital Nomad Visas in Germany
In Germany, the German freelancer visa is the closest equivalent to the digital nomad visa. It differs from the digital nomad visa in that you must work in a few specific professions that are not exclusively considered “remote employment” to obtain freelancer status.
Entry Visa for Freelancers. You must apply for this visa at the German Embassy in your home country. You’ll need it to enter Germany and notify immigration authorities that you’re there to work. When you arrive in Germany, you exchange your visa for a Freelancer Residence Permit.
Permit for Freelance Work. With this visa, you can live and work in Germany for an extended period of time. After you arrive in Germany with your entrance visa, you must apply for the Freelancer Residence Permit at the German government Immigration Office.
If you are from the United States, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, or South Korea, you do not require an entry visa.
There are two types of freelance visas for Germany.
You can apply for one of two types of German freelancing visas based on your occupation:
- Visa for self-employment (Freiberufler). This visa is available if your job benefits the German economy. Artists, writers, self-employed doctors, engineers, language teachers, interpreters, auditors, and architects are examples of such employment.
- Self-employment visa (Selbständiger). If you are the founder of a company, a solo owner, or a management representative of a corporation, you may be eligible for this type of visa.
- Your profession/business is of economic interest in Germany.
- Your company will help the German economy.
- Your company has been funded using either equity or a loan commitment.
If you intend to work for yourself in one of the liberal professions, you can apply for a residence permit for freelancers (“Freiberufler”). It is only valid for one year, but you can reapply.
According to German tax legislation, you must be in one of the following professions:
- Scientist
- Artist
- WritersTeachersDoctor
- Dentists
- NotarysEngineers
- Architects
- Auditors
- Tax professionals
- Advisor
- Licensed accountant
- Physiotherapist
- JournalistsInterpretersTranslators
- PilotsVeterinarian
- Photographer and videographer
- Economists in Business
- Lawyer
Freelance Visa Requirements in Germany
To be eligible for a freelance visa in Germany, you must meet the following requirements:
- Your profession must be necessary or financially advantageous to Germany.
- You must demonstrate that you have clientele who want to collaborate with you. Prospective clients must write letters of intent indicating their intent to hire you.
- You must demonstrate that you have enough money to live comfortably – at least €9,000 per year.
- You must be a resident of Germany. You must obtain lodging and register your address with the local registration office (Bürgeramt).
If you are over the age of 45, you must have a sufficient pension plan. You must have: a monthly pension of at least €1,332.36 for at least 12 years, or assets totaling at least €194,631 by the age of 67.
Required documents for a Germany Freelance Visa
To apply for a freelancing visa in Germany, you must provide the following documents:
- Completed visa application form. Fill out the application form completely.
- A valid passport.
- Two biometric pictures taken recently.
- Receipt of the paid visa application fee. You must show proof of payment for the German freelance visa application cost.
- Health insurance. As a freelancer in Germany, you can choose between public and private health insurance. You may also need to get travel insurance, especially if you want an entry visa.
- Letters of recommendation from former employers.
- An updated CV detailing your professional and academic experiences.
- Your prior job portfolio. You must give printed samples of your previous professional experience.
- Professional certification. To demonstrate your knowledge and relevance to the intended profession, you must produce a license or other authorisation. This is required if you intend to practice a profession that needs prior expertise in the subject, such as medicine or law.
- Certificates of previous education. Academic achievements must be demonstrated.
- Enough financial resources. Demonstrate that you have enough money to pay your living and freelance expenses:
- The most recent bank statements. Bank statements from a home-country bank are required to demonstrate sufficient available funds.
- Profit and loss account. Write down the potential monthly revenues and losses from the planned freelance activities.
- Evidence of a sufficient pension plan. Only if you are over the age of 45 must you provide proof of a pension plan:
- Evidence of a freelance strategy.
- Letters of intent from prospective customers/employers. Submit at least two letters of commitment from potential clients indicating their intention to hire you when you arrive in Germany.
How Do I Get a German Freelancer Visa?
To obtain a German digital nomad visa (Freelancer visa), follow the steps below:
- Make an appointment with the German embassy in your area. The German missions abroad can be found here.
- Gather the documentation required for a freelancer visa. Before you apply for the freelancer visa, you must gather all of the necessary paperwork. The embassy will specify which documents you want. They are listed below.
- Attend the interview. You must bring the completed document checklist and your biometrics to your appointment (fingerprints and photo). They will also keep your passport and return it once they have made a decision.
- Wait for a decision. After submitting your application, you should receive a decision within 15 days. It may take longer at certain periods of the year, such as before the holidays or when embassies, consulates, or visa application centers are overburdened. The visa will be attached to your passport once you have got it. Certain embassies will return your passport through courier, while others will require you to pick it up in person.
- Travel to Germany. After receiving your visa, you may enter Germany to begin your freelance career.
Following Your Arrival in Germany
After you have secured your freelance visa and landed in Germany, the following actions must be taken:
Register your mailing address. Once you’ve found a place to live (for example, a rented apartment), you must register your address with the local Citizens Service Centre (Bürgeramt). You will be given an Anmeldebestätigung registration certificate as well as a copy of the certificate. The latter is required to open a bank account and obtain a residency permit.
Open a bank account in Germany. Once you’ve registered your residence, you’ll be able to create a bank account in Germany, which you’ll require for all of your work and transactions. You will need your registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) and your passport to create a German bank account. Additional requirements may be imposed by different banks.
Make an appointment with the tax registration office. To begin working as a freelancer in Germany, you must first register with the German Tax Office (Finanzamt), declare your freelance activity/business, and obtain a freelance tax number (Steuernummer). Sorted is a professional organization that handles your taxes as a freelancer in Germany. Contact a tax consultant right away.
Fill out the Tax Collection Questionnaire (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung). You can fill out this form online at the German Ministry of Finances’ website (Bundesministerium der Finanzen), or you can request it from the Finanzamt. You should have the following information at your disposal:
- Your Tax Identification Number. The one you get after registering your address.
- Your bank account information.
- A full description of your freelance or company activity.
Wait for your freelance tax number to arrive (Steuernummer). It may take several weeks to acquire your tax number; it should arrive in the mail.
Apply for a work permit as a freelancer. After completing all of the processes, you must apply for a freelancer residence permit at the Foreigner’s Registration Office (Ausländerbehörde). This must be completed within three months of your arrival in Germany.
