Minimum income
$810/month
$9,720/year
Stay
36 → 48
months, renewable
Application fee
$185
Tax
42.0%
Standard
Path to staying
- Visa36 months
- Renewup to 48 months
- Permanent residencyafter 5 years
- Citizenshipafter 8 years
- Leads to residency 5 years
- Leads to citizenship 8 years
Overview
- Country
- Germany
- Visa name
- Freiberufler Visa
- Local name
- Aufenthaltserlaubnis fur Freiberufler
- Program type
- Freelancer visa
- Status
- Active
- Initial duration
- 36 months
- Max duration
- 48 months
- Income requirement
- $810/month ($9,720/year)
- Application fee
- $185
- Tax status
- Standard
Requirements
- Health insurance required
- Criminal record check not required
- Proof of accommodation required
- Proof of employment or clients required
- University degree not required
What you can do
- Work for local companies
- Freelancers eligible
- Employees eligible
- Work permit included
- Bring dependents
- Multiple entry
- Travel in Schengen
- Open a local bank account
Family and dependents
- Dependents allowed
- Yes
Tax
- Tax status
- Standard
- Tax rate
- 42.0%
- Foreign income taxed
- Yes
- Tax residency trigger
- 183 days
How to apply
- Application method
- embassy, in country
- Processing time
- 30–120 days
- Can apply in-country
- Yes
- Multiple entry
- Yes
- Schengen access
- Yes
- Can open bank account
- Yes
- Renewable
- Yes
Notes
Germany has NO dedicated digital nomad visa. The Freiberufler (freelance) visa is the closest alternative. Must practice a "liberal profession" (Freiberuf) recognized by German tax law. Requires at least 2 letters of intent/contracts from German-based clients. Must register at local Burgeramt after arrival. Progressive income tax 14-42% with EUR 12,348 tax-free allowance (2026). VAT registration required above EUR 22,000 revenue. Path to permanent residency (5 years) and citizenship (8 years). Separate Self-Employment Visa (Gewerbetreibende) available for non-liberal professions.
Also in Germany
Germany also offers these long-term residency programs