Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland:

Citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein can move to Germany and begin working without needing prior authorization from the German authorities.

This being said, you should factor in one to two months for the relocation process (in order, for example, to find a house or to decide on a school for your children). Please remember that Envotis gives each candidate a relocation support worth 3.000,00€ net and that you can select how to use this sum by choosing the relocation help that best fits your needs from a list of services (you can, for example, obtain support in finding temporary or permanent housing or, to give another example, have someone help you open a German bank account).

Citizens of any other country:

Should you be a citizen of any another country, the immigration phase should always be factored into your calculations. This phase – depending amongst others on the type of visa needed as well as the documents already in your possession – usually takes between 3 to 6 months. It is important to know that Envotis coordinates the entire immigration process and will provide you and your family with all the necessary support.

We at Envotis like to use the duration of the immigration process to get a head start on the relocation process (we can, for example, already help you find temporary housing near your future place of work). This being said, not all relocation measures can be started right away and it might be advisable to wait for the visa before taking certain actions. For this reason, you should factor in one to two months for the relocation phase. Please remember that Envotis gives each candidate relocation support worth 3.000,00€ net and that you can select how to use this sum by choosing the relocation help that best fits your needs from a list of services (you can, for example, obtain support in finding temporary or permanent housing or, to give another example, have someone help you lease or buy a car).

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland:

If you are a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Lichtenstein, you do not need any knowledge of German to live and work in Germany.

Citizens of any other country:

Should you be a citizen of any another country, the language requirements will depend on your level of formation, the profession you wish to exercise in Germany as well as on the type of residence permit you are aiming to obtain.

If you are a qualified professional (meaning that you have an academic or a vocational education) and you have received a job offer from a German company (for example with the help of Envotis), you will typically not have to know any German. This is generally speaking the case – just to give one example – of qualified IT-professionals.

An exception to this rule are professionals working in so-called “regulated professions” such as nurses. You will, for example, have to reach at least a B2 level of proficiency in German in order to work as a registered nurse in Germany.

Apart from the legal aspects, you should know that most Germans understand and speak some level of English. This is especially true in bigger companies where you will be able to communicate with almost everyone in English. This being said, it is advisable to learn German once in Germany as this will help you build your social and professional network. Speaking German can also help you obtain a permanent residence permit and at some point even the German nationality.

If you are not sure whether or not you need to learn German before immigrating to Germany, do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. We will be happy to help you.

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland:

A citizen of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Lichtenstein can immigrate with his or her direct family members (spouse, registered partner as well as children under the age of 21) even if the family members do not possess one of the before-mentioned citizenships.

Please be aware that Envotis coordinates and supports the immigration of your direct family members if the process is started at the latest 3 months after your own immigration to Germany.

Citizens of any other country:

If you are a citizen of any another country, your direct family members (spouse, registered partner and children under the age of 18) can also immigrate to Germany. Please be aware that a number of restrictions may apply. You will need, for example, to prove that you can support your spouse or registered partner financially. Special restrictions might also apply – depending on your residence and work permit – if your child is 16 years old or older. Envotis will of course help you navigate these restrictions.

Please remember that Envotis also coordinates the immigration process of your direct family members as long as the process is started at the latest 3 months after your own immigration to Germany.

Should you need more information before starting the immigration process with Envotis, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or by using our contact form.

Acting as an intermediary between foreign professionals and German employers, Envotis not only matches you with your desired job but also ensures that the immigration and relocation procedures run smoothly. We do this by, among other things, coordinating the entire immigration process for you and your family and actively supporting you during the relocation process.

The best part is that our services are entirely paid for by your future German employer. You do not have to pay anything for our support.

A citizenship from an EU member state allows you to live and work in Germany without needing a work and residence permit.

This being said, certain challenges remain, such as finding a suitable home or choosing the right school for your children. This is why Envotis provides each foreign professional – regardless of whether they come from an EU or a non-EU country – with relocation services amounting up to 3.000,00€ net.

Learn more about how Envotis can help you relocate to Germany by taking a closer look at our services overview page or by sending us an e-mail at [email protected].

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland:

If you are a citizen of the European Union, Norway, Iceland or Lichtenstein, you do not need a permit to live and work in Germany. Swiss citizens can take up any job in Germany and obtain – as a formality – a residence authorization document for the duration of their stay in the country.

Citizens of any other country:

A German work and residence permit is usually valid for a period of 4 years. In the case of a fixed-term work contract, the permit validity is tied to the duration of the work contract.

You have of course the possibility to extend the validity of the permit if you still meet the legal requirements (for example a valid work contract and the absence of a criminal record) when applying for the extension.

Particularly interesting for a foreign professional is the possibility to obtain a permanent work and residence permit after only a few years in Germany. In most cases, you can already apply for such a permit after 4 years. Holders of the EU Blue Card – depending on their level of proficiency in German – can apply for a permanent work and residence permit after only 21 to 33 months in Germany.

A foreign professional living in Germany can also apply for a German citizenship after a period of 8 years.

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland:

If you are a citizen of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein or Switzerland, you do not need a prior authorization to immigrate to Germany.

Citizens of any other country:

If you are not a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you will need a permit to live and work in Germany.

Germany does offer citizens of many countries the possibility to enter German territory without a visa. It is important to note that this authorization to enter the country without a visa does not entitle you to work in Germany. In fact, you will in most cases have to exit Germany again in order to apply for a work visa. It is therefore advisable to start the immigration process in your own country and above all to never start working in Germany without first receiving the proper work authorization.

Please remember that Envotis coordinates the entire immigration process for foreign professionals wishing to work with us.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need more information about this topic. As an alternative to the contact form, you can also simply send us an e-mail at [email protected].

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland:

If you are a citizen of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein or Switzerland, there are no direct age limitations that would prevent you from working in Germany. This being said, older foreign professionals should take a closer look at the restrictions concerning health and pension insurances.

Citizens of any other country:

If you are a citizen of any other country, please be aware that immigration to Germany after having reached the age of 45 is subjected to restrictions. More precisely, your yearly salary will have to meet a certain threshold (for 2022 that threshold is set at 46.530,00€ gross) or you will have to prove that you possess adequate retirement provisions.

Envotis is based in Aalen, a city in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany and provides its services in all 16 German states.