Residing and Working In Germany

You're not truly living in Germany until the paperwork's done. Here's a quick primer on exactly what you'll need.

All persons remaining in Germany for longer than three months must have a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), of which there are now two types. You can apply for one of them at the local Ausländerbehörde.

The rules for what you need to get a residence permit vary somewhat from place to place and according to your status. You'll certainly need a valid passport, proof that you have a place to live and proof that you can support yourself. Other things you may need include proof that you have a critical skill, proof that you are married, proof that you have independent means or a pension, and proof of health insurance.

One person can handle the work on a residence permit for an entire family. Once the permit has been approved an appropriate stamp is placed in the individual's passport.

If you decide that you are going to stay in Germany for a longer period you must have a registration certificate (Meldeschein). You get it at the Registry Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) that is responsible for your community or your city neighborhood. It's often located at a precinct police station. Registering is a simple matter of going there and filling out a form. They may want to see your passport and lease, so have them with you. There is no charge for this registration.

Every time you change your residence within Germany, whether you move next door or across the country, you must report this to the registry offices at both the old and new place of residence. This isn't an action directed at foreigners. Germans, too, must keep the police posted when they move.

The two types of residence permits are limited and unlimited. Persons with limited permits must leave the country after a certain period, though they can apply for an extension.

Which of these permits you get, and indeed whether you get a permit at all, depends on the circumstances. Perhaps you come from a member state of the European Union. In this case, your right to reside in Germany is all but unlimited.

Perhaps you are joining a family member who is already here. Perhaps you want to study here. Or perhaps you qualify for asylum. Such persons usually get a permit unless there is a good reason not to grant it, such as a criminal record or no visible means of support.

Or perhaps you want to work here. This makes things more complicated. Again, people from EU countries have the status of Germans when it comes to working. There are few restrictions. (Persons from the 10 new EU countries don't have this status yet, but they will get it. There is a transition period that can last up to seven years from the EU expansion in 2004.)

If you come from a non-EU country, a category that includes the USA and Canada, you will need a work permit (Arbeitserlaubnis), and it might be difficult to get. Unemployment is high in Germany and they don't want outsiders competing for those scarce jobs.

If you have a critical skill your chances of getting a work permit are greatly enhanced. You may very well get a work permit and a well paying job. Germany's immigration laws are geared to making a move to the country attractive to the highly qualified.

Even if they don't have critical skills there are certain cases under which a non-EU citizen is allowed to seek work. Family members of persons with critical skills can also seek work even if they don't share those critical skills. This is a measure aimed at attracting those sought after employees.

The issuing of work permits to non-Germans is now handled by the Ausländerbehörde, the same office that issued your residence permit. To get the permit you will need a Meldebescheinigung, an Auftenthaltserlaubnis and a certificate from an employer saying they are willing to take you on.

If a work permit can be issued it will be for the duration of the residence permit and must be renewed when it expires. Work permits are for a particular job only, not employment in general. If you change jobs, you'll need to apply for a new work permit.