Residency and visas in Germany

Citizens of EU countries can live and work in Germany without a residence permit, so this service matters mainly to founders and employees from outside the EU. A founder who moves to Germany to run the business can apply for a residence permit for self-employment, granted where there is an economic interest or regional need, a positive effect on the economy is expected and the financing is secured; the first permit runs for at most three years. Staff hired from abroad usually need a permit tied to the job. Applications start at a German embassy or consulate abroad, or at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) for someone already in the country.

Firms offering residency and visa support in Germany

bdp

Accounting firm · Medium-sized firm

Berlin

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +6 more

Languages: German · Chinese · English

View profile of bdp

Auren

Accounting firm · International network

Berlin

  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • VAT
  • +3 more

Languages: English · German

View profile of Auren

What to ask a firm about German permits

Ask which permit routes the firm has handled and for clients of which nationality. Ask whether it prepares the business plan and the financial projections that support a founder’s application, and whether it works with an immigration lawyer for the filing itself. If you plan to hire from abroad, ask how the firm coordinates the permit, the employment contract and the first payroll. Find out what happens if the immigration office asks for more documents, and whether family members are included in the fee.

Firms on Accountanty

Accountanty lists eight firms that help with residence and visas in Germany: seven accounting firms and one law firm. Five are small, two part of large networks and one medium-sized. All eight offer German and six offer English, and six of them also run payroll in Germany. Berlin has five of these firms, and Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg one each.

Frequently asked questions

Do EU founders need a permit to run a company in Germany?

No. Citizens of EU countries can live and work in Germany without a residence permit, although they register their address locally like any resident. The permit question arises for founders and staff from outside the EU.

Who decides on a German residence permit for a founder?

The immigration authorities: a German mission abroad or the local immigration office, which may consult other bodies on the business plan. A firm can prepare the file, but no adviser can promise the outcome.

Other services in Germany

Accountants by city in Germany

Setting up a company in Germany: the guide and every firm

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules, rates and fees change: check them with the official sources linked on this page or with a qualified adviser before you act.