Apply for a national visa

Depending on your nationality, you will need a national visa for stays in Germany that last longer than 90 days. The procedure and requirements also depend on the purpose for which you want to stay in Germany (for example, gainful employment, family reunification, study and training).

There is no visa requirement for nationals of EU countries and some other countries (e.g. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia). As a rule, they can enter the country for a longer stay without a national visa and apply for their residence title at the foreigners authority after entering the country. A complete list of countries with an indication of the respective visa requirements can be found on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

In certain cases, you must prove knowledge of the German language. The issuance of the national visa is governed by the same regulations that apply to the issuance of the residence title that you must apply for in Germany after the visa expires (for example, residence permit, EU Blue Card).