Moving to Germany from the USA: From Burgers to Bratwurst!

Find out the different paths for moving to Germany from the US. Explore the top residence permits for Americans and learn about their application process.

Angelina

7 minute read

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Updated on 7 Nov 2024

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Moving

Whether you’re moving to Germany from the USA to study or work, you’ve made a fantastich decision. From a top-notch education system and a great work-life balance to one of the best health systems in the world, you’ll enjoy many perks of living in this economic powerhouse. And compared to the United States, such a high standard of living comes at a pretty affordable price!

Living in Germany as an American can be a dream come true if you set your mind to it. But don’t worry we’ll help you figure out all the practicalities!

Currently, there’re over 120,000 Americans living in Germany. Most Americans who move to Germany tend to search homes for rent in Berlin, or other major cities like Munich and Frankfurt.

Unlike when moving to Spain or Italy, you don’t need a long-stay visa to enter Germany as a US citizen. You only need to arrange a residence permit suitable for the purpose of your stay.

The most common permits for those moving to Germany from the USA include:

• Residence permit for study purposes
• Language course residence permit
• Job search residence permit
• EU Blue Card
• Skilled worker residence permit
• Self-employment permit
• Settlement permanent residence permit

You can apply for your residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) either from the USA or within the first 3 months of your arrival in Germany.

If you’ve found a job in Germany already and want to get straight to work when you arrive, you should apply for your residence permit from the USA. But this process does take 1 to 3 months.

You can save time if you apply for your residence permit via your local Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany, which takes a mere 2 – 4 weeks.

First things first: don’t forget to register your address and get your registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) within 14 days from your arrival.

And while you await your permits, you’ve got just enough time to get to know your city, try some delicious local food and get a hang of the public transport!

It’s a good idea to create a moving checklist so you can stay on top of the necessary steps to move to Germany

In general, you’ll to make sure you have:

• a passport that’s valid for the duration of your stay
• health insurance
• accomodation in Germany
• sufficient financial resources
• registration certificate

Who is it for: Americans who’d like to continue their education in Germany.

With a German student visa you’re able to work up to 120 full or 240 half days each year.

Validity: 1 to 2 years and can be extended until you get your degree.

Application: To apply for a German student residence permit, you must have:

• acceptance letter from a recognised higher education institution in Germany.
• proof of sufficient education to pursue your course
• proof of sufficient financial means to cover your cost of living (e.g. a blocked bank account with at least €11,904 / year (2024), scholarship, proof of parental support or a declaration of commitment by a third party)
• if required by your study programme, proof of your German language skills of at least B2 level

Who is it for: US citizens who wish to learn German.

Validity: Duration of the course, from 2 to 12 months.

Application: You can apply for a visa for language acquisition in Germany if:

• you’ve been admitted to an intensive German language course of at least 18 hours per week
• you’ve sufficient financial means to cover your cost of living (e.g. a blocked account with at least €992/ month (2024), proof of parental support or a declaration of commitment by a third party)

Who is it for: Highly educated Americans moving to Germany without a concrete job offer.

The residence permit for job search allows you to stay legally in Germany while you’re looking for a job. The only work you’re allowed to perform with this permit is trial employment of up to 10 hours per week. Once you’ve found a job, you’ve to apply for a work permit.

Validity: 6 months

Application: US citizens can apply for a German job search permit if they:

• possess a recognised university degree OR vocational training and German language skills of at least B1 level
• have sufficient financial means of at least €1,027 per month (2024)
• have a professional license if seeking employment in a regulated profession.

Who is it for: Americans who have a higher education qualification, at least 2 years of relevant work experience and no job offer.

The German Chancenkarte gives you a better chance to find employment in Germany than the job seeker visa. It gives those with relevant education and demonstrable experience more time to find a job and allows opportunity cardholders to work up to 20 hours a week.

Validity: 1 year, with the possibility of extending it to 2 years.

Application: The German Opportunity Card has a points-based system to determine whether or not you’re eligible. You’ll gain more points if:

• Your foreign qualification is recognised as being partially equivalent to a German qualification
• You’re a licensed professional in a regulated profession like teaching, nursing or engineering
• You have sufficient financial means, whether that’s by having €1,027 per month (2024) in a blocked bank account, demonstrating part-time employment or via a sponsor.

Who is it for: Highly-qualified Americans with a concrete job offer.

If you move to Germany from the US with an EU Blue Card, you can bring your spouse even if they don’t speak German. Another perk of this permit is that after living 18 months with an EU Blue Card in Germany, you can easily continue your employment in another EU member state. Then, you must request a new EU Blue Card 1 month before moving.

Validity: Duration of your contract including 3 additional months. But it can only be given for a maximum of 4 years at once.

Holders of EU Blue Card can apply for a permanent (settlement) permit after 33 months if they have an A1 level in German. If you can prove your German language skills are at level B1, you can get your settlement permit after 21 months.

Application: Your German employer applies for the EU Blue Card on your behalf.

To qualify for EU Blue Card you must:

• have a recognized university degree
• earn a gross annual salary of at least a minimum gross salary of €45,300 per year (2024) or €41,041.80 (2024) if you work in science, engineering, mathematics, medicine or IT
• have a professional license if you’re seeking employment in a regulated profession.

Who is it for: Skilled Americans with a recognised university degree or vocational training qualification and a concrete job offer.

Validity: Duration of your contract including 3 additional months but a maximum of 4 years.

Application: Your German employer applies for the skilled worker permit on your behalf.

You’re eligible for a skilled worker permit if you’ve:

• a qualified vocational training or a university degree recognised in Germany
• a concrete job offer that matches your qualification
• if you’re older than 45, proof of adequate provision for old age or an annual gross salary above €49,830 (2024)
• a professional license if you’re seeking employment in a regulated profession.

Unlike with the EU Blue Card, the Federal Employment Agency has to approve your working conditions and give the green light on your skilled worker residence permit application.

Who is it for: Americans moving to Germany to open a business or work as a freelancer.

Validity: Up to 3 years with the possibility of extension if your business is successful and you can cover your living expenses.

Application: The requirements for getting a self-employment residence permit depend on the type of your activity.

If you plan to set up your own business in Germany you must meet these requirements:

• your product or service is of an economic interest or regional demand
• your company will have a positive economic impact
• you’re able to finance your new business with your own capital or through a loan
• if you’re older than 45, proof of adequate pension provision

If you’re going to work in Germany as a freelancer, the following requirements apply:

• you’ve sufficient financial means to finance your projects
• you possess any required licenses for your profession
• if you’re older than 45, proof of adequate pension provision

It’s recommended to have at least 2 German-based potential clients when applying for a freelance residence permit.

Who is it for: Americans living in Germany who wish to stay there permanently.

Validity: Lifetime. However, you can lose your permanent resident status if you leave Germany for longer than 6 months.

Application: You can get your German settlement permit if:

A. You’re a scientist with special technical knowledge or a university teacher in a high-level position. In this case, you can apply for a settlement permit immediately upon arriving in Germany. You must prove your academic training and that you’ll be able to integrate and cover your living expenses.

B. You’ve been living and working in Germany as a skilled worker for at least 4 years. You speak German at a minimum B1 level, and you’ve contributed to your pension insurance for 48 months.

You’ve been staying in Germany with an EU Blue Card:

• for 33 months and you speak basic German (A1 level).
• for 21 months and you speak German at a minimum B1 level.

C. You’ve completed a university degree or vocational training in Germany, and you’ve been living there with a valid work permit for 2 years. Additionally, you’ve paid into the statutory pension insurance fund for 24 months, you can speak German at a minimum B1 level, and you’ve passed the “Life in Germany” test.

D. You’ve been living in Germany as a self-employed business owner for at least 3 years, and you can cover your and your family’s living expenses.

Note that freelancers can only get a permanent settlement permit after 5 years.

E. You’re an immediate family member of a German citizen with whom you reside. You’ve been living in Germany for at least 3 years, speak German at a minimum B1 level, have a personal income and you’ve contributed to your pension insurance.

According to Henley Global, the German passport ranks 2nd in the world and allows you to travel visa-free to 190 countries!

Who is it for: Americans who’re ready to renounce their nationality to obtain a German passport.

Validity: Lifetime.

Application: To apply for German citizenship by naturalization you must meet the following requirements:

• you’ve an unrestricted right of residence
• you’ve been living in Germany for at least 8 years or 7 if you’ve attended an integration course
• you will renounce your US citizenship
• your German language proficiency is of at least B1 level
• you can financially support yourself and your family
• you’ve passed the naturalisation test

The processing of German citizenship application can take between 2 and 3 years.

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