Visa-free travel

British citizens may apply to the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) for their residence permits after arrival in Germany and without having obtained a visa prior to travelling to Germany. Please note that you need to register your new residence (Anmeldung) with the authorities (Meldebehörde) within 2 weeks of having moved in and apply to the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) for your residence permit within the first 90 days of your stay in Germany. This privilege is also extended to citizens of Andorra, Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Korea (Republic), Monaco, San Marino and the United States of America. We strongly recommend contacting the local immigration office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany in order to secure a timely appointment. It is important to note that you may only take up employment once you have been issued a residence permit explicitly authorising such employment.

All other nationalities require a visa prior to travelling to Germany.

General information

This visa category applies to spouses/ registered partners of citizens of all countries except Germany and other EU-/ EEA-member states as well as Switzerland.

German law recognises both mixed-sex and same-sex marriages as well as civil/ registered partnerships between same-sex partners. Mixed-sex civil/ registered partnerships and de facto relationships are not recognised under German law.

It makes no difference if the person you are joining is already in Germany or if you will be moving together.

How to apply for your visa:

1. Complete the online application form, print two copies of the form including the barcodes and sign both copies (separate application forms are required for each applicant; all children require separate forms).

Compile your supporting documentation:

2. Compile your supporting documentation:

• Two printouts of the online application form including barcodes
• Valid passport signed by the holder, issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 3 months beyond the validity of the visa applied for. The passport needs to have at least 2 subsequent blank pages.
  Plus: 2 photocopies of the passport biodata page
• Current UK residence permit (BRP)/ visa (foreign residents only).
  Plus: 2 photocopies of the permit/ visa
• 2 fully biometric passport photos, 35 x 45 mm, no older than three months. Digitally altered passport photos cannot be accepted.
  Please ensure that your photo adheres to German biometric requirements and is taken in front of a white/bright background.
• Original marriage/ civil/ registered partnership certificate - If issued outside Germany, the EU or the UK documents need to be legalised or apostilled as applicable.
  Any document in a language other than German, English or French needs to be translated into one of these languages by a certified or sworn translator.
  Plus: 2 photocopies of the certificate and (if applicable) the translation.
• Original or certified copy of passport of spouse/ partner (biodata page only)
  Plus: 2 photocopies of the passport biodata page
• If spouse/ partner is already resident in Germany: 2 photocopies of confirmation of spouse’s/ partner’s registration (Anmeldebestätigung or Meldebescheinigung)

• If spouse/ partner is already resident in Germany:
  2 copies of spouse’s/partner’s German Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel or Aufenthaltsdokument-GB)

• Evidence of basic German language proficiency
  Certificates issued by any institution testing in accordance with the standards of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) are accepted. The test may not be older than one year. There are a number of exemptions from the language proficiency requirement.

• Prepaid, self-addressed Royal Mail Special Delivery return envelope (up to 500g) in order to return your passport after processing.
• Visa fees apply

• Processing time: For some visa categories, we will require approval from other German government agencies, such as the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) or the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). If you have previously lived in Germany this will add to processing times, as the immigration office may need to look into your previous immigration record. Once a decision has been made on your application, we will contact you.

  In this visa category, most applications are typically processed within 3 months.

  Although we will provide you with a file number, please understand that we cannot respond to questions regarding the status of your visa application. Should we have any questions or should we require additional documentation to process your application, we will contact you.

3. Book an appointment to apply for your visa.

Where to book your appointment/ apply for your visa:

Please apply directly to the German Mission having jurisdiction for your place of residence.

Additional information

If your application is successful, you will be issued a limited-validity entry visa - similar to a UK entry clearance. Once you have arrived in Germany please register your new residence with the local authorities (Meldebehörde) within 2 weeks of having moved in and apply to your local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) for your Electronic Residence Permit. We strongly recommend contacting the local immigration office as soon as possible after your arrival in Germany in order to secure a timely appointment.

Further information on living and working in Germany is available here.