Move to Germany

Orderly, green powerhouse with distinct cities and a strong work-life balance

Germany has no digital nomad visa. Visa-exempt visitors may stay up to 90 days in any 180 and may not work. For a longer stay a remote worker usually needs a residence permit for freelance or self-employed work, which requires German health insurance, a registered address and a viable business plan, plus a pension provision from age 45.

Routes we checked: 2
Digital nomad visa: Not in our data
Budget from: $2,280 a month
Language: German
Currency: EUR
Last checked: 30 October 2026

Student visa Freelancer and self-employed

Ways to live in Germany

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Student visa Student visas →

Residence permit for university studies

For people admitted to a German university or a preparatory course. It allows part-time work and, after graduation, a long stay to look for a job.

What you need: University admission, health insurance and proof of funds of €992 a month (€11,904 a year), usually via a blocked account, a scholarship or a formal guarantee from someone in Germany.
Savings: about $13,800
How long: Usually 2 years at a time, extendable until you finish; up to 140 full or 280 half working days of work a year
Renewable: Yes
How to apply: Student visa at a German embassy or consulate, then a residence permit at the local foreigners' office in Germany
Path to permanent residence: After graduation you can get up to 18 months to find a job that matches your degree, then switch to a work permit.

Official page

Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →

Residence permit for freelance / self-employed work

For freelancers in liberal professions (Freiberufler) and self-employed business owners. Freelancers must show they can fund their project and themselves.

What you need: Freelancers need client letters or references, a revenue forecast and money for the project and living costs; business owners need secured financing and a positive economic impact. Everyone needs German health insurance and housing; from age 45 also a future pension of €1,612.53 a month (about $1,870) or assets of €232,204 (about $269,000).
How long: Validity set by the immigration office
Renewable: Yes
Cost: National visa from abroad €75 (about $87); permit in Berlin €100 for the card (about $116) or €56 as a sticker
Processing time: National visas can take several months; in Berlin the electronic card takes 4–6 weeks after approval
How to apply: National visa at a German embassy or consulate; some nationals can apply in Germany. In Berlin: online application to the immigration office, then an in-person appointment
Family: Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence: Time on the permit counts towards a settlement permit; conditions depend on the business's success.

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

Room in a shared flat	$600
One-bedroom flat	$710
Two-bedroom flat	$1,320
Bills	$200
Typical local salary	$4,300
Budget for one person	$2,280

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Germany offers very different cities: creative Berlin, prosperous Munich near the Alps, port-city Hamburg and the student towns along the Rhine. Lakes, forests and cycling paths are everywhere, and the rest of Europe is close.

Day to day

An extensive rail network and good city transit make a car optional. Healthcare is strong through mandatory public or private insurance. Cash is still surprisingly common, internet can lag behind neighbours, and German is key outside big cities.

Trade-offs

Bureaucracy is paper-based and appointments can be hard to get. Finding an apartment in big cities is tough, trains are often delayed, and Sundays are quiet with shops closed.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Germany have a digital nomad visa?

Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.

How much money do I need to live in Germany?

A single person can live on from about $2,280 a month. A one-bedroom flat costs about $710 a month.

How can I move to Germany?

The routes we have checked are: Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed.

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for Germany were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for Germany were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.