Germany

1 programme · EUR · German

Last updated July 2026Sources:auswaertiges-amt.de

Freiberufler (Freelance Visa)

Official nomad visa

Germany doesn't run a dedicated digital nomad visa. The Freiberufler (its freelance residence permit for the “liberal professions” like writing, software, design, and consulting) is the route most remote workers use instead. It predates the nomad-visa wave but does the same job: a proper residence permit you live and work on, with a path to permanent residency. Expect more documentation than a purpose-built nomad visa asks for.

What this visa gets you

Visa
Entry document
Temporary residency
3 years, renewable
Permanent residency
After 5 years
Citizenship
After 5 years of residence

Nomads report that Germany's immigration process for freelancers and self-employed workers can be extremely unpredictable, even after years of successful operation. One user described building a consulting business, employing locals, and paying taxes for two years — only to have their visa denied and face deportation proceedings. Several commenters confirmed this is not an isolated experience, with one noting Nuremberg's immigration office has a particularly harsh reputation.

Nomads report that Germany's immigration process for freelancers and self-employed workers can be extremely unpredictable, even after years of successful operation. One user described building a consulting business, employing locals, and paying taxes for two years — only to have their visa denied and face deportation proceedings. Several commenters confirmed this is not an isolated experience, with one noting Nuremberg's immigration office has a particularly harsh reputation.
r/germany ↗

Anecdotal: what nomads report, not official guidance.

Income requirement: No fixed minimum: you must show the freelance work sustainably covers your living costs (applicants over 45 also need adequate pension provision).
Application fee: €100
Family allowed: Yes

Community members who navigated the freelance/self-employed visa route say a detailed business plan with financials and projections is essential, and that working with both an immigration lawyer and a business consultant to prepare the documentation made a significant difference. Users warn the process can take years, and the lawyer has tools to push the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners office) for a decision if it stalls.

Community members who navigated the freelance/self-employed visa route say a detailed business plan with financials and projections is essential, and that working with both an immigration lawyer and a business consultant to prepare the documentation made a significant difference. Users warn the process can take years, and the lawyer has tools to push the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners office) for a decision if it stalls.
r/germany ↗

Anecdotal: what nomads report, not official guidance.

Pick your passport to see your application path

Processing time, consular location, apostille requirements, and tax-treaty notes for Freiberufler (Freelance Visa) change based on your source country.

Nomads broadly report that immigrating to Germany as a non-EU national is genuinely hard, even with strong qualifications and corporate support. Several users with ideal circumstances — employer visa sponsorship, German-speaking family, financial resources — still describe the process as 'really, really hard.' Community consensus is that going in underprepared is a serious risk.

Nomads broadly report that immigrating to Germany as a non-EU national is genuinely hard, even with strong qualifications and corporate support. Several users with ideal circumstances — employer visa sponsorship, German-speaking family, financial resources — still describe the process as 'really, really hard.' Community consensus is that going in underprepared is a serious risk.
r/germany ↗r/IWantOut ↗

Anecdotal: what nomads report, not official guidance.

Tax

How is Freiberufler income taxed?

Freelancers become German tax residents and are taxed on worldwide income under progressive income tax (Einkommensteuer, roughly 14% to 45% plus solidarity surcharge where applicable). Freiberufler (liberal professions under § 18 EStG) are exempt from trade tax (Gewerbesteuer), unlike commercial self-employed (Gewerbetreibende). They must register with the local tax office (Finanzamt). There is no special expat or relocation tax regime in Germany; no flat-rate or time-limited reduced-tax scheme applies.

Money, roughly (indicative)

Regime: Progressive — 14–45% + social, about 36.5% effective tax on €60k/yr.

Standard German income tax with no nomad-specific break, plus mandatory pension + health (freelancers can opt for private health). Verify with a Steuerberater.

Living comfortably to well in Berlin runs about €2,400–€3,350/mo for one person, incl. rent.

Estimate your take-home in the tax calculator →

Worth a specialist's time. A short call before you commit usually pays for itself, especially for US citizens (FEIE/FATCA), existing UK ties, or unwinding SA tax residency.

Several nomads report that remaining officially registered in Germany while travelling or working remotely abroad can result in paying close to 40% tax even when not physically present in the country. Community discussion warns that Germany treats tax residency seriously based on registration, not physical presence, and that deregistering properly is key — though users advise caution about schemes claiming to eliminate tax liability entirely.

Several nomads report that remaining officially registered in Germany while travelling or working remotely abroad can result in paying close to 40% tax even when not physically present in the country. Community discussion warns that Germany treats tax residency seriously based on registration, not physical presence, and that deregistering properly is key — though users advise caution about schemes claiming to eliminate tax liability entirely.
r/digitalnomad ↗
A German resident in Berlin noted that taxation is 'a nightmare' and cited it as a prime reason people leave Germany. An expat in the healthcare field similarly reported feeling financially worse off than before moving, attributing it largely to high tax burdens. This sentiment appears consistently across multiple threads from users in different fields.
r/IWantOut ↗r/germany ↗

Anecdotal: what nomads report, not official guidance.

Recommended for your move

By passport

Germany by nationality

The requirements, consular path, and realistic timeline change with your passport. Pick yours for the source-country-specific guide.

What's next

Keep going

Compare with another country

See Germany side-by-side with similar programmes.

Where you keep the most

Every country ranked by what's left after tax and living costs.

Re-run the quiz

Different answers may surface a programme you didn't consider.

Track changes

Every dated change we've logged for Germany: income thresholds, fees, consular policy.

Expatlas provides information for orientation only and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult an immigration lawyer for your specific case.