Germany

1 programme · EUR · German

Showing Germany's requirements for British citizens. Other passports:🇺🇸 US 🇿🇦 ZA 🇨🇦 CA 🇦🇺 AU All passports

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.

How do British citizens apply for the Germany Freiberufler?

Can British citizens apply from inside Germany?

It depends: we haven't verified this for Germany yet.

Some European permits allow in-country application, and if you already hold legal residence in Germany on another permit the rules can differ from a fresh consular application. The "fly in on a tourist stamp and convert" route, by contrast, usually does not work. Confirm your case with the official Germany source before relying on it.

How long does the Germany Freiberufler really take for British citizens?

12–20 weeks (≈ 3–5 months)

Police clearance (typical)2w
Apostille (typical)2w
Consular appointment (typical)4w
Processing 6–14w official6w
Post-arrival registration (typical)2w

Official processing: 6–14 weeks. The rest is doc gathering + waiting in a queue, none of which the consulate counts.

Avoid these

What do people get wrong about the Germany Freiberufler?

Assuming you can convert a tourist stay. For most European residence visas you can't fly in on a tourist stamp and convert it from inside the country. You apply before you travel. A few permits and people who already hold legal residence on another permit are exceptions, so confirm Germany's rule rather than assuming either way.
Underestimating timing by a factor of 2–3. The "60-day processing" line is real, but it's only the consulate's processing window. The door-to-door reality includes police clearance, apostille, consular appointment lead, and post-arrival registration, so most applicants land between 4 and 7 months.
Income proof in the wrong currency. Bank statements showing income in your local currency are routinely rejected if the equivalent in EUR isn't clearly stated and consistent across the qualifying period (usually 3 or 6 months).

Documents

What British applicants typically submit

Indicative: we haven't verified Germany's exact checklist for British applicants. Confirm the current list with the official source before you start gathering.

Documents needing an apostille (British authorities):

ACRO certificate
Birth certificate

Worth knowing: ACRO certificate (~10 business days). No FEIE equivalent — UK Statutory Residence Test applies.

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 for British citizens?

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.

Tax treaty with BritishYes

Social-security totalisationNo

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. Roughly 40% less than the same living in London, which runs about £3,400/mo (≈ €4,000).

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

FAQ

Germany Freiberufler: common questions

Can British citizens get the Germany Freiberufler?

Yes. The Freiberufler is open to British passport holders as non-EU nationals. This route has no fixed minimum income threshold.

Can I apply for the Germany Freiberufler from inside Germany?

It depends. Some European nomad permits let you apply from inside the country (especially if you already hold legal residence on another permit), while others require you to apply at a Germany consulate before you travel. We haven't verified Germany's rule for British applicants yet, so confirm it with the official Germany source before relying on it.

How long does the Germany Freiberufler take for British applicants?

As a rough guide, European nomad permits run about 6–14 weeks door-to-door once you add police clearance, any apostille, the appointment lead time, and post-arrival registration on top of the official processing window. We haven't verified Germany's figures for British applicants, so treat this as indicative.

Do I need an apostille for the Germany Freiberufler?

Most European permits require documents issued in United Kingdom (such as a police clearance) to be apostilled, but the exact list varies by country and permit. We haven't verified Germany's requirement for British documents, so confirm it with the consulate or official source.

How much does the Germany Freiberufler cost?

The government application fee is about €100. Budget separately for police clearance, apostille (if required), translations, and required health insurance.

Does the Germany Freiberufler lead to permanent residency?

Yes. Time on the Freiberufler counts toward permanent residency, for which you can typically apply after 5 years of legal residence.

Can I bring my family on the Germany Freiberufler?

Yes. Spouses and dependent children can generally be included as dependants, usually with a higher combined income requirement and their own supporting documents.

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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.