Permanent residence in Germany
All persons who wish to seek gainful Permanent Residency in Germany (or staying in Germany longer than 3 months) are required to obtain a residence permit.
Citizens of Canada, Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the United States, Switzerland, as well as EU citizens may apply for their residence permit after entering Germany without a visa.
The application can be submitted at the competent Aliens Authority after arrival in Germany. There is no obligation to apply for a German visa before leaving Canada.
Should you wish to apply and obtain a residence permit prior to entry Germany (not necessary at all for family reunions with EU spouse) please follow
here.
In cases an employment is intended to begin directly after arrival in Germany, you need to apply for a work visa in advance, since the employment cannot be started before having the obligatory work permit. Here you find more on
work visa.
Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 may be interested in applying for a
Youth mobility visa.
