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How to apply for a German residence permit
Information concerning the application for a German residence permit
This text is based on information given to and experiences made by the German Embassy Copenhagen at this particular time. We assume no liability whatsoever for the content provided.
Your application can only be rendered in person, after booking an appointment in advance at the Embassy if the application is complete and all documents necessary are attached.
At the time of issue of a national visa, proof of a valid health insurance must be submitted.
The insurance (either a single or group insurance) can be contracted by the traveller or by the host in Germany.
You must be able to prove that you are actually insured, which can only be documented by the original policy. Should you wish to submit a printout, please include the payment receipt and mark the relevant passages in the insurance policy or submit a certificate of insurance by the provider.
Regular travel health insurances are generally insufficient. Travellers should submit either proof of German statutory health insurance or contract sufficient private health insurance in Germany. So-called “incoming” health insurances are accepted. The visa will usually be issued for the entire period at once if you plan to stay for up to a year. In all other cases, the visa will usually be issued for 6 months, or 3 months in the case of subsequent immigration of family members.
As a general rule, travellers must provide proof of sufficient health insurance coverage for the period of validity of the visa or until the traveller has contracted a German health insurance for his/her stay in Germany.
This text is based on information given to and experiences made by the German Embassy in Copenhagen at this particular time. We assume no liability whatsoever for the content provided.
The following documents are always required for any kind of visa:
- Two completed and personally signed application forms
- Two current biometrical passport photos
- A Passport that is valid for at least six months (original and two photocopies of main pages). Only passports that have been issued (not extended) during the past ten years can be endorsed with a visa. If your passport was issued more than ten years ago, please apply for a new one.
- A valid Danish residence permit (original + two photocopies)
- Proof of a valid health insurance
- Visa fee 75 €, payable either by Visa/Mastercard or in cash in DKK, approximately 560 DKK, depending on the exchange rate
Please note that the originals as well as two photocopies of all documents must be provided.
In addition, if you want to to study in Germany:
- Acceptance letter or acknowledgement of your application from the German university you want to study at
- Graduation certificates to enable university admission in Germany
- University degree certificates and others, if applicable
- Proof of previous and/or present studies in Denmark
- Proof of basic knowledge of the language of instruction
- Proof of financial means for the time of your studies in Germany either
- by a Fixed-Deposit-Account (blocked bank account “Sperrkonto”) at a bank in Germany or
- by a formal obligation (“Verpflichtungserklärung”) made by a sponsor living in Germany or
- proof of an according scholarship
Please note that the originals as well as two photocopies of all documents must be provided.
In addition, if you want to apply for a family reunion visa:
- International marriage certificate
- If your marriage certificate is not international, certified German translation. Depending on in which country the marriage took place, a legalised marriage certificate or a marriage certificate with a Hague Apostille may be necessary!
- Two photocopies of your spouse's passport;
- If your spouse is not a German citizen, two photocopies of the German permit of residence
- Your spouse's German document of registration (“Meldebestätigung”)
- Proof of basic knowledge of the German language (more information hereto on our website)
Please note that the originals as well as two photocopies of all documents must be provided.
In addition, if you want to make an internship in Germany:
- The contract containing the following information:
- place of internship
- description of the intended internship
- duration of the internship
- name and e-mail of the contact person in the company - The approval of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit – Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung (ZAV), which must be applied for by your German employer
- Proof of the Danish university about duration of the studies (matriculation certificate)
- Confirmation of the Danish university that the internship is part of your studies
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the time of the internship (e.g. salary)
Please note that the originals as well as two photocopies of all documents must be provided.
In addition, if you want to work in Germany:
- Employment contract containing the following Information:
- place of employment
- kind of employment (full- or part-time)
- duration of the contract (for a limited or unlimited time)
- salary in EUR (monthly or annual income)
- detailed description of the intended employment
- name and e-mail of the contact person in the company - Proof of professional qualifications (e.g. language skills, secondary school qualifications, University degree, knowledge of the company etc.)
- Proof of previous employment contracts in Denmark
- If possible, present the assurance of the work permit from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit that your employer can apply for in advance. This will speed up the visa process.
- CV (one page only)
Please note that the originals as well as two photocopies of all documents must be provided.
The EU Blue Card can only be issued from the competent immigration authority responsible for your future place of residence. At the German Embassy you apply for a national visa for the purpose of employment with the required documents above and in addition:
- Proof of completed university degree. If the university degree was not awarded in Germany, it must either be recognized or comparable to a German university degree. You can check whether your foreign university degree is recognised or comparable by consulting the ANABIN database. Please print the result from ANABIN and add it to the university degree. In case your degree is not found in ANABIN or only partially equivalent (“bedingt vergleichbar”) you are requested to get your degree recognized via the KMK.
- An employment contract or a binding employment offer with a specified minimum salary. In 2020, the minimum annual gross salary is set at 55.200 € or 43.056 € for jobs in particular demand according to the positive list of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).
Please note that the originals as well as two photocopies of all documents must be provided.
For further information please find the flyer about the EU Blue card form the information service of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, BAMF.
Please read the following information carefully:
- All documents have to be presented in original and two photocopies. The embassy will not keep the original documents and the passport.
- The decision on issuing a visa may - due to special circumstances - require the presentation of further documents/proof.
- On account of the necessary audit and approval by the competent Immigration authorities/employment agencies in Germany, the visa applications procedure normally takes several weeks. The Embassy will contact you unbidden if further questions should arise or when the visa can be issued. Please refrain from any inquiries (phone calls or e-mails) in the meantime. The visa must be collected in person at the German Embassy in Copenhagen.
- The Embassy only accepts visa applications if the application forms are fully filled out and if all the required documents and information are complete. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
