Immigrants from the European Union , Date: 2024.03.01, format: Article, area: Migration and residence

Link to the information hotline "working and living in Germany" Source: © Make it in Germany

If you are a national of a Member State of the European Union, of another country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA), or of Switzerland, then you enjoy freedom of movement. You can enter Germany at any time and spend time here.

All you need in order to stay in Germany for up to three months is a valid identity card or passport. No other conditions need to be met. No visa is required.

You may stay in Germany for more than three months

• if you are employed, self-employed, or are undergoing training or studying,
• if you remain in the country for up to six months to look for work, and longer than this if you can prove that you are still looking for work and have reasonable prospects of finding work,
• if you have sufficient funds to support yourself in spite of being neither in employment nor pursuing studies or undergoing training, and you have adequate health insurance cover, and
• if you have acquired a permanent right of residence by being lawfully resident for five years.

A permanent right of residence is certified without delay to Union citizens who so request and who have been lawfully resident in Germany for an uninterrupted period of five years.

The electronic proof of identity enables EU citizens and Germans (using their electronic ID card) to deal with authorities electronically.

You can find further information on the subject of freedom of movement for EU citizens on the Federal Government’s portal for skilled workers from abroad Make it in Germany.

The family members who travel with you, or who join you subsequently, have the same right to freedom of movement, even if they do not come from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland. Read more about this in the Family reunification section.