Issue · October 2026 · everything a nomad needs, city by city

Nomadzine

The visa · Germany

Germany

Germany has no visa expressly for remote workers as of September 2026, though one trade outlet reports a remote-work chapter in the Federal Foreign Office's April 2026 Visa Handbook that could not be checked against the primary text. The routes remote workers actually use are the Section 21 residence permit for freelance or self-employed activity, the Section 20a Opportunity Card for qualified job-seekers, and the Working Holiday programme for eleven partner nationalities. The one thing to know before applying is that German-compliant health insurance and a registered main address are prerequisites for every in-country permit, and a Schengen or visa-free stay confers no right to work, remotely or otherwise.

    Nomad visa · September 2026None as suchRoutes5Bases5

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The routes

Researched 11 September 2026 · rules as of September 2026 · as published, not legal advice

  1. Freelance / self-employed

    Freelance permit (Section 21(5))

    Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung einer freiberuflichen Tätigkeit, § 21 Abs. 5 AufenthG / Residence permit for the purpose of freelance (liberal-profession) activity

    Self-employed professionals in liberal professions such as IT consultants, designers, writers, teachers, artists and scientists who want to base in Germany and can show income from clients, ideally including some in Germany or the EU.

    Income floor
    No statutory figure. Berlin requires a revenue forecast and proof that monthly living costs are covered; practitioner guides cite covering rent plus health insurance plus at least EUR 563 a month (the 2025 basic-needs standard rate), with annual benchmarks of EUR 9,000 to 12,000 or EUR 1,200 to 1,500 a month quoted by different sources, so the figure is disputed. Applicants aged 45 and over must from 1 July 2025 show a pension of EUR 1,612.53 a month for at least 12 years or assets of EUR 232,204; nationals of the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka are exempt.
    Duration
    Issued for a limited period and extended on evidence of continued activity; a settlement permit is available after three years of successful self-employment under Section 21(4).
    Cost
    Berlin: EUR 100 for the electronic residence permit card or EUR 56 for a sticker permit; EUR 27.60 to EUR 46 for Turkish nationals; EUR 6 for a digital photo. National D visa at a consulate: EUR 75.
    Processing
    Consulate stage reported at 4 to 12 weeks depending on the post. In Berlin a sticker permit can be issued at the appointment; an electronic card takes 4 to 6 weeks to collect. Initial appointment waits of 3 to 9 months in Berlin were reported on applicant forums in 2024 and 2025.
    Eligibility
    Must hold a national D visa or existing residence title (a Schengen C visa is not sufficient); main residence in the city of application; German statutory or comparable private health insurance (foreign insurance not accepted); no expulsion interest such as criminal fines; the activity must qualify as freelance rather than a commercial trade; pension provision if 45 or over.
    Work rights
    Self-employed freelance work for clients in Germany and abroad. Salaried employment is not covered by this permit. Remote employment for a foreign employer is not what this permit is for and authorities expect evidence of freelance client relationships.
    Dependants
    Spouses and children can be included in the online application in Berlin; family reunification follows the general Residence Act rules on secured livelihood and accommodation.
    Leads to
    Settlement permit possible after three years of successful activity with secured livelihood (Section 21(4)); naturalisation generally after five years of lawful residence with B1 German.
    Apply
    National D visa at the German mission in the country of residence via the Consular Services Portal; nationals of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States may enter visa-free and apply in-country at the local foreigners authority (Berlin: online application to the Landesamt für Einwanderung).

    Documents Colour copies of passport · CV with qualifications and professional experience · Revenue forecast · Fee agreements or at least two letters of intent from clients · Professional licences where the profession requires them · Proof of German health insurance · Lease or proof of property ownership · Documentation of monthly living costs

    Official page →

  2. Freelance / self-employed

    Self-employment permit (Section 21(1))

    Aufenthaltserlaubnis zur Ausübung einer selbständigen Tätigkeit, § 21 Abs. 1 AufenthG / Residence permit for self-employment (commercial)

    Founders and traders running a commercial business in Germany, such as an agency, e-commerce shop, a GmbH or a sole proprietorship in a trade, rather than a liberal profession.

    Income floor
    No statutory figure; the law requires an economic interest or regional need, an expectation of positive effects on the economy, and secured financing through equity or a loan commitment. The same age-45 pension proof as the freelance permit applies.
    Duration
    Limited initial permit, extended on evidence the business is viable; settlement permit possible after three years under Section 21(4).
    Cost
    Same fee scale as other residence permits: EUR 100 for the electronic card in Berlin; EUR 75 for a national visa.
    Processing
    Slower than the freelance track because the chamber of commerce and trade bodies are consulted; consulate stage reported at 4 to 12 weeks plus in-country waits.
    Eligibility
    Business plan and financing plan; chamber of commerce (IHK) opinion; German health insurance; main residence in Germany; no expulsion interest; pension provision if 45 or over.
    Work rights
    Commercial self-employment in Germany; serving local and foreign clients; local salaried employment not covered.
    Dependants
    Family reunification under the general Residence Act rules on secured livelihood and accommodation.
    Leads to
    Settlement permit after three years under Section 21(4); naturalisation generally after five years.
    Apply
    German mission abroad via the Consular Services Portal, or in-country at the foreigners authority for the privileged nationalities listed above.

    Documents Business plan with financing plan · Proof of equity or loan commitment · CV and qualifications · Passport copies · Proof of German health insurance · Lease or business premises evidence

    Official page →

  3. Temporary stay

    Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)

    Chancenkarte, § 20a AufenthG / Opportunity Card

    Qualified non-EU job-seekers with a recognised qualification or at least six points who want a year in Germany to find employment, with part-time work allowed meanwhile.

    Income floor
    Secured livelihood must be shown; guides for 2026 cite a blocked account of EUR 13,092 a year (EUR 1,091 a month) or a part-time contract of the same net value, though Berlin's service page lists only bank statements, earnings certificates or scholarships without a figure.
    Duration
    Usually one year; can be switched to another residence permit at any time once its conditions are met; a follow-up job-search permit is generally issued for 18 months in Berlin.
    Cost
    Berlin: EUR 27.60 to EUR 100 depending on nationality and card format; national visa EUR 75.
    Processing
    Berlin: online application, appointment after document review; sticker permit same day, electronic card 4 to 6 weeks.
    Eligibility
    Recognised foreign qualification, or six points from qualification, experience, language (A1 German or B2 English), age and prior stays; German statutory or comparable private health insurance; main residence in the city; no security or criminal indications.
    Work rights
    Employment up to 20 hours a week and trial employment of up to two weeks at a time; self-employment is not permitted, so freelance remote work is outside the card.
    Dependants
    Dependants are entered in the same online application in Berlin; family rules follow the general Residence Act.
    Leads to
    Does not itself count as a settlement track; switching to an employment or Blue Card permit starts the usual five-year path to settlement and citizenship.
    Apply
    German mission abroad via the Consular Services Portal, or in-country at the foreigners authority for privileged nationalities; Berlin accepts online applications only.

    Documents Passport · Proof of qualification or recognition · Language certificate (A1 German or B2 English) where points are claimed · Proof of livelihood such as bank statements or blocked account · Proof of German health insurance · Proof of address

    Official page →

  4. Working holiday

    Working Holiday / Youth Mobility

    Working-Holiday-Programm / Youth Mobility residence permit

    Nationals aged 18 to 30 of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan and Uruguay, and Canadians aged 18 to 35 under the Youth Mobility agreement, who want up to a year in Germany funded by holiday jobs.

    Income floor
    Hamburg requires proof of own funds of at least EUR 2,000; Korean nationals may be up to 34.
    Duration
    Up to twelve months; extensions in Hamburg are priced at EUR 96 for up to three months and EUR 93 beyond, but the programme is not designed to be renewed.
    Cost
    EUR 100 for a permit of up to one year (Hamburg), EUR 110 beyond a year; national visa EUR 75 where applied for abroad.
    Processing
    Not published; a required residence permit must be applied for within three months of entry where in-country application is allowed.
    Eligibility
    Age 18 to 30 (Korea to 34, Canada to 35); partner nationality; travel health insurance valid for a year; sufficient funds; Australian, Israeli, Japanese and New Zealand nationals may apply at any German mission or in-country, Argentine, Chilean and Uruguayan nationals at any German mission, Koreans only in Seoul, Taiwanese only at the German Institute Taipei.
    Work rights
    Holiday jobs to finance the stay; the Federal Foreign Office describes it as work to help fund travel rather than a full employment permit.
    Dependants
    None; the permit is individual.
    Leads to
    No; a switch to another permit is possible only if that permit's own conditions are met.
    Apply
    German missions abroad as listed by nationality, or the local foreigners authority in Germany for Australians, Israelis, Japanese and New Zealanders who have already entered.

    Documents Valid passport · Biometric passport photo · Travel health insurance valid for one year · Proof of funds of at least EUR 2,000

    Official page →

  5. Other route

    Section 19c employment permit for remote employees (reported, unconfirmed)

    Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 19c Abs. 1 AufenthG

    Salaried employees of foreign companies from visa-waiver nationalities; two law and mobility outlets describe it as an interim bridge for remote employees, but no official page confirming a remote-work use of Section 19c could be opened.

    Income floor
    One outlet reports EUR 1,200 a month as the Visa Handbook benchmark; not verified against the primary text.
    Duration
    Not published.
    Cost
    Standard residence permit fees: EUR 100 electronic card, EUR 75 national visa.
    Processing
    Not published.
    Eligibility
    Reported as requiring a foreign employment contract, German-compliant health insurance, a registered German address and proof of financial stability; the sources disagree on which nationalities qualify.
    Work rights
    Reported as remote work for a foreign employer only.
    Dependants
    Not published.
    Leads to
    Not published.
    Apply
    Local foreigners authority after visa-free entry, as reported.

    Documents Employment contract with a foreign employer · Proof of German health insurance · Proof of registered address

Without a visa, by passport

The stay you get on arrival, and whether working remotely on it is tolerated

  • EU / EEA / SwitzerlandFree movement; register the address within two weeks of moving inRemote work, freelancing and local employment are all permitted without a permit.
  • United Kingdom90 days in any 180 (Schengen); ETIAS scheduled from the last quarter of 2026Published position from lawyers and mobility outlets is that a visa-free stay confers no right to work, including remotely for a foreign employer; practice is widely reported as grey. British nationals may apply for a residence permit in-country after visa-free entry.
  • United States90 days in any 180; ETIAS scheduled from the last quarter of 2026Same published position: no work right on the visa-free stay, remote work reported as grey; in-country application for a residence permit is allowed.
  • Canada90 days in any 180; Youth Mobility permit for ages 18 to 35No work right on the visa-free stay; in-country application allowed.
  • Australia90 days in any 180; Working Holiday for ages 18 to 30No work right on the visa-free stay; in-country application allowed.
  • Japan90 days in any 180; Working Holiday for ages 18 to 30No work right on the visa-free stay; in-country application allowed; exempt from the age-45 pension proof on the Section 21 permit.
  • South Korea90 days in any 180; Working Holiday to age 34 via Seoul onlyNo work right on the visa-free stay; in-country application allowed.
  • Brazil90 days in any 180; Working Holiday for ages 18 to 30No work right on the visa-free stay; a national visa is required for a residence permit, applied for at a German mission.
  • IndiaSchengen visa requiredLong stays require a national D visa via the Consular Services Portal; remote work on a Schengen visa is not a published right.
  • South AfricaSchengen visa requiredNational D visa required for any of the routes above; no published work right on a short-stay visa.

Tax

When the country starts counting you as its taxpayer

Residency trigger
Unlimited tax liability arises from a domicile (Wohnsitz, Section 8 of the Fiscal Code) or habitual abode (gewöhnlicher Aufenthalt, Section 9), not a day count as such. Registering a dwelling that is available for use establishes a domicile from day one; a continuous stay of more than six months creates a habitual abode, which guides express as 183 days in a calendar year. Residents are taxed on worldwide income.
Special regime
None. A proposal in July 2024 to exempt 30, 20 and 10 per cent of newcomers' income in their first three years was never enacted, and no nomad-specific regime exists as of September 2026.
Social security
German statutory or comparable private health insurance is a condition of every residence permit and foreign policies are not accepted. Employees of EU or EEA employers can remain in home-country social security with an A1 certificate under EU coordination rules; non-EU remote employees and freelancers fall under German rules or a bilateral agreement, and the detail was not verified from a primary source for this dossier.
Treaties
Germany has a wide treaty network. For employees, the standard 183-day rule leaves employment income taxable only at home while the German stay is under 183 days in the relevant period and the employer has no German establishment; freelancers who become resident are taxed in Germany on business income regardless.

Practicalities

Address registration (Anmeldung)
Within two weeks of moving in, with a landlord confirmation showing landlord, move-in date, address and all occupants; a tenancy agreement alone is not enough. Late registration can be fined. Deregistration on leaving must also be notified to the health insurer to stop contributions.
Tax identification number
An eleven-digit personal number issued by the Federal Central Tax Office; if it does not arrive after registration it can be requested through the office's online form or by letter.
Health insurance
Statutory or comparable private German cover is required for every residence permit; self-employed premiums reported at EUR 200 to 900 a month. Foreign travel policies satisfy only the Working Holiday permit.
Entry records
The EU Entry/Exit System has been fully operational since 10 April 2026, recording passport, face, fingerprints and dates for every non-EU short-stay entry and calculating the 90-in-180 count automatically.
Overstay penalties
Overstays are flagged by the Entry/Exit System; visa-tracking sites report German fines of EUR 1,000 to 5,000 and entry bans for longer breaches, figures not confirmed by an official source.

Germany: no nomad visa, but a freelance permit that works, an Opportunity Card for job-seekers, and strict rules on remote work during visa-free stays

Where remote workers base and which route they use

Berlin remains the default base because its immigration office reads the freelance permit liberally and accepts a wide range of professions, though applicants report the longest appointment waits in the country. Hamburg, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf are reported as faster, and Munich as stricter on business plans and on IT applicants without formal qualifications.

The freelance permit is the route most remote workers actually use, because the Opportunity Card forbids self-employment and the Working Holiday programme is limited to eleven nationalities and one year. Salaried employees of foreign companies have no clean published route; the Section 19c bridge described by two outlets could not be confirmed from an official page.

What applicants report about the process

Consulate processing for a national visa is reported at four to twelve weeks. In-country, Berlin issues sticker permits at the appointment and electronic cards four to six weeks later, but initial appointment slots have run three to nine months behind on applicant forums.

Refusals cluster around generic client letters, claiming liberal-profession status without matching qualifications, foreign health insurance, and late address registration. Savings of EUR 10,000 to 15,000 alongside client income are the benchmark practitioners suggest, and applicants aged 45 or over must show the pension provision introduced in July 2025.

Money, tax and insurance

Registering an address creates a tax domicile immediately, so worldwide income becomes taxable from the first day of residence rather than after a count of days. There is no newcomer regime; the 2024 rebate idea did not become law.

German health insurance is the recurring cost that surprises freelancers, at several hundred euros a month for private cover and more in the statutory scheme at higher incomes. Deregistering on departure matters because insurers keep billing until told in writing.

What is changing

Border control has moved to biometrics: the Entry/Exit System now counts every Schengen day automatically, and ETIAS pre-authorisation for visa-exempt travellers is scheduled to start in the last quarter of 2026 with three-year validity. The three-year citizenship fast track was repealed in October 2025, leaving the five-year path.

The one open question is a dedicated remote-work permit. A single report of an April 2026 Visa Handbook chapter with a EUR 1,200 monthly income benchmark has not been matched by any published permit category as of September 2026.

Researched from service.berlin.de · service.berlin.de · hamburg.com · auswaertiges-amt.de · bzst.de · home-affairs.ec.europa.eu · handbookgermany.de · iamexpat.de · se-legal.de · remoteworkeurope.eu · the authority