Germany · The Move

Visa Pathway Explorer

There is no German digital nomad visa. Your route depends on where your money comes from. Pick the one that sounds most like you.

Where does your income come from?

Rules for every route

90 days in any 180Visa-free visits count across the whole Schengen Area, not per country.
Applying isn’t workingYou can apply from inside Germany, but you can’t work until your permit says you can.
Register your addressAnmeldung is due about two weeks after you move in. Make sure your place allows it.
Tax can start on day oneA home available to you in Germany can make you a tax resident before 183 days.
Long trips can cost youMany permits can lapse if you’re away more than six months. Check before you go.
Check before you flyETIAS was not running as of November 2026. Recheck the official EU page before travel.

General information as of November 2026, not legal advice. Your local immigration office decides your case, and rules change. Confirm your route with an immigration lawyer before you move.