🇩🇪 Digital nomad visa · Germany
Freelancer visa in Germany
Germany has no dedicated digital nomad visa - that role is played by the freelancer (Freiberufler) visa. It lets you live and work in Germany long term on a self-employment permit.
Germany has no dedicated digital nomad visa - nomads apply for the freelancer (Freiberufler) visa. It lets you live and work in Germany long term. After arriving on the entry visa, you obtain a self-employment permit from the Ausländerbehörde, the German immigration office. The office publishes no fixed income threshold: each application is assessed individually - based on your revenue forecast and whether your income covers rent and living costs. Once you hold the freelancer residence permit, the visa itself is no longer needed.
Visa requirements
- Duration. The entry visa is valid for 3 months. The work permit is issued for up to one year and can be extended.
- Income. There is no official minimum threshold - the Ausländerbehörde assesses each application individually: it looks at your revenue forecast and checks that your income covers rent and living costs. You need clients interested in working with you. Guides suggest €9,000-12,000 a year, but this is an unofficial benchmark.
- Pension provision (45+). Since 1 July 2025, applicants over 45 must additionally prove pension provision: a pension of at least €1,612.53 a month or assets of at least €232,204.
- Taxes. Personal income tax in Germany ranges from 0% to 45%.
Cost of living in Germany
Monthly expenses for a family of four are about €3,000 excluding rent. For a single person, about €900 excluding rent. Renting a one-bedroom flat in the city centre is about €900.
On a free consultation we check your documents and help you prepare the freelancer permit application.
Freelancer visa benefits
Long-term prospects
The visa lets you live and work in Germany for the long term, and the permit is renewable.
No rigid income threshold
There is no fixed minimum: you show that your income covers life in Germany (guides suggest €9,000-12,000 a year) and prove you have interested clients.
Transparent taxes
German income tax is progressive - from 0% to 45%.
FAQ
How long is the entry visa valid?
How long is the freelancer work permit issued for?
What minimum income do I need for the freelancer visa?
Are there extra requirements for applicants over 45?
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