Germany Visa Types at a Glance: Schengen C, National D, EU Blue Card, Student, Job Seeker, Family Reunion and Freelancer
Germany runs two separate doors: a short-stay Schengen C visa (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) and national D visas for anything long-term — work, study, or family. The main work routes are the EU Blue Card (§18g) for graduates with a qualifying job offer and the skilled-worker permit (§18b, which requires formal recognition of your qualifications). Whatever your route, the first step after arrival is the same: register your address — the Anmeldung (address registration) — at the local Bürgeramt (citizens' office) within 14 days. Without it, you cannot get a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel).
The two big buckets: Schengen C vs national D
Schengen C visa — tourism, business trips, family visits: max 90 days per 180-day period across the whole Schengen area. It does not allow work and generally cannot be converted into a residence permit inside Germany. If you plan to stay long-term, apply for the right national D visa at a German embassy or consulate before you travel.
National D visa — the long-stay entry visa for work, study, family reunion, or freelancing. After you arrive on a D visa, you convert it into a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) at the local foreigners' office (Ausländerbehörde).
The key rule: plan your category before you fly. Entering on a C visa and hoping to switch is the single most common way people lose months (see the pitfalls article).
EU Blue Card (§18g): the fast lane for graduates
The flagship route for university graduates with a concrete job offer in Germany. For 2026 the salary bar is €50,700/year for regular occupations and €45,934.20/year for shortage occupations and graduates within three years of their degree; first-time applicants aged 45+ need €55,770/year or proof of adequate pension provision. Thresholds are adjusted every year in line with the pension contribution ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze). IT specialists without a degree can qualify at the lower threshold with three years of relevant professional experience gained in the last seven. Blue Card holders also reach permanent residence faster — see the work-visa guide.
Skilled-worker residence (§18b)
For qualified professionals whose job offer doesn't meet the Blue Card salary bar — or whose occupation isn't degree-based. The trade-off: your foreign qualification must be formally recognised — the Anerkennung (recognition of professional qualifications) — before the permit is granted, which can take months, so start early. There is no statutory salary threshold for §18b, but the job must match your recognised qualification.
Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card): the points route
Launched in 2024, the Chancenkarte lets you come to Germany for up to a year to look for work, awarded on a points system (qualification, experience, language skills, age, and more). You need at least 6 points: partial recognition of your qualification (4), 2–5 years of relevant experience (2–3), German A2–B2 (1–3), English C1 (+1), age under 35 (2) or 35–40 (1), a previous 6-month legal stay in Germany (1), and a qualifying spouse (1) — verify the details on the official portal.
Student residence (§16b)
Requires a university admission letter plus proof of funds — normally a blocked account (Sperrkonto), holding €11,904 per year (€992/month) — current since January 2025 and still valid for 2026. The amount is adjusted periodically, so check the German mission's website for the current figure before you transfer money. After graduation you can stay on to look for qualified work and then switch to a work permit (full path in the student-to-PR article).
Family reunification (Familienzusammenführung, family reunification)
Spouses and minor children of residents can join them, provided there is adequate housing and a secure livelihood. Blue Card holders face the lightest requirements; spouses of Blue Card holders are exempt from the A1 German requirement (since the 2022 reform); A1 is still required on most other family-reunion tracks.
Freelance and self-employment (§21)
The Freiberufler (freelance professional) / self-employed route requires a viable business plan, proof of economic interest or regional need, sufficient funds, and health-insurance cover. It is assessed case by case at the Ausländerbehörde — allow extra time.
The standard sequence after arrival
- Anmeldung — register your address at the Bürgeramt within 14 days of moving in. You need your landlord's move-in confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).
- Ausländerbehörde appointment — apply for the Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) matching your visa.
- Collect the permit — often issued as an electronic card (eAT). Processing takes weeks to months; book the appointment early.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert a Schengen C tourist visa into a residence permit inside Germany?
Generally no. Long-term residence almost always requires entering on the correct national D visa issued by a German mission abroad. There are narrow exceptions — don't plan around them.
EU Blue Card or §18b skilled worker — which should I pick?
If you have a recognised degree and a job offer above the 2026 thresholds (€50,700 / €45,934.20), the Blue Card is usually better: faster permanent residence and lighter family-reunion rules. If your salary is below the bar or your qualification isn't a university degree, §18b is the route — but start the Anerkennung (recognition) process early.
Do I need German for a work visa?
Not for the Blue Card or §18b themselves, but German dramatically widens your job options and is required later for permanent residence and citizenship (B1). Start learning early regardless.
How long does the embassy visa process take?
Anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the mission and category; Blue Card applications are often prioritised. Apply as early as your documents allow.
Can my family come with me from day one?
Spouses and minor children can apply for family reunification alongside or after the main applicant, subject to housing and livelihood requirements. Blue Card holders get the smoothest path.
Sources
- https://www.make-it-in-germany.com (Federal Government portal for skilled workers — visa types, Blue Card, recognition)
- https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/229970-229970 (Federal Foreign Office — visa information)
- https://www.bamf.de (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees — residence law, integration)
- https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/vor-ort/zav/working-and-living-in-germany/iss-en/issue-03-2026/blue-card (Federal Employment Agency — EU Blue Card fact sheet)