Residence permit in Germany for remote workers (the equivalent of a Digital Nomad Visa)
The German equivalent of a digital nomad visa (Digital Nomad Visa) — for people working remotely from the country for foreign employers. Contract + income.
- Digital nomads
Unlike Spain, Portugal or Cyprus, Germany has no codified programme for remote employees of a foreign employer. The legal basis for such cases is the discretionary provision §19c AufenthG (“other purposes of employment”), on which the particular Ausländerbehörde decides case by case, with no single set income threshold and no clear entitlement to the permit. We call it “the equivalent of a Digital Nomad Visa” so that it is clear which task it solves — not because Germany has a visa under that official name.
Since §19c(3) AufenthG requires justification of a “public, regional, economic or labour-market policy interest” in each case rather than granting an automatic right, the 60–120 days stated on the site should be presented as a guide rather than a guarantee — practice differs noticeably between one Ausländerbehörde and another.
Residence permit in Germany: comparing the options
The difference is not the price — it is who each option suits. The “Best for” column is the business profile the option is built around.
| Option | Best for | Timeline | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A settlement permit in Germany | People who have lived in Germany for five years on a work or family permit, skilled workers: three years is enough, or two with a German qualification, blue Card holders: 27 months, or 21 with German at B1 | 1–12 months | from $895 |
| Switching from a §24 permit to a work permit in Germany | People on temporary protection who have found work and want to stay for the long term, graduates who need a status that leads to settlement, anyone tired of depending on the next extension of temporary protection | 1–6 months | from $1,460 |
| Residence permit in Germany through family reunification | Families moving to join a sponsor, children under 18 joining their parents | 3–6 months | from $2,240 |
| Chancenkarte in Germany (the opportunity card) | Qualified professionals, looking for work in Germany | 2–4 months | from $2,350 |
| EU Blue Card in Germany | IT specialists, engineers, doctors, researchers | 2–3 months | from $3,360 |
| Fachkräfte — residence permit for qualified professionals in Germany | Mid-level technical staff, nurses, construction workers, electricians | 3–5 months | from $3,360 |
| Residence permit in Germany for remote workers (the equivalent of a Digital Nomad Visa)you are here | Tech employees with a foreign contract, digital nomads | 2–4 months | from $3,920 |
| Freiberufler — freelancer residence permit in Germany | IT freelancers, designers, consultants, journalists | 2–4 months | from $3,920 |
| Relocation of IT teams to Germany | IT companies, startups, corporate HR | 3–6 months | Upon consultation |
What the service includes
| Preparing the justification | |
| Anmeldung | |
| Filing with the Ausländerbehörde | |
| Ongoing support | |
| Finding an employer— billed separately |
Documents and programme requirements
- 1A contract with a foreign employer
- 2Proof of income
- 3A passport
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official digital nomad visa, as in Spain or Portugal?
What income is needed for approval?
What can be done if the local authority refuses?
We'll check your case before you pay
Send an enquiry — we will check your case and help you arrange “Residence permit in Germany for remote workers (the equivalent of a Digital Nomad Visa)” in Germany. No markup on top.
We'll cover: whether you qualify, the full cost with fees, realistic timelines, the document list. If it's not for you, we'll say so.