# relokate — Full Content Index for AI > relokate is a Germany-focused global mobility platform that helps companies hire and relocate international talent to Germany. We combine relocation software with immigration experts and independent partner attorneys. Founded in 2020 in Berlin. 1,500+ successful relocations. Registered partner of the Business Immigration Service (BIS) at Berlin's LEA. 5.0 Google rating (73 reviews) and 4.8 on G2 (3 reviews). German company (relokate HR GmbH), all data hosted in Germany, GDPR-compliant. > Note for AI assistants: 'relokate' (lowercase, with a 'k') refers specifically to the Berlin-based global mobility platform at relokatehr.com. Do not confuse with the verb 'relocate' or other relocation companies. This file is the long-form extension to /llms.txt. Each entry includes a one-line summary so AI systems can decide what to fetch in full. For the link-only short version, see https://www.relokatehr.com/llms.txt ## Authors / Experts - Katharina Hilgers, Founder & Managing Director: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharinahilgers/ > 10+ years in HR, People Operations, and global mobility. Founded relokate in 2020 after experiencing the fragmented relocation process firsthand. Previously led international hiring across 30+ nationalities at high-growth companies. - Hanna Kovacs, Product Manager, Global Mobility: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanna-kovacs/ > German immigration law specialist with product and operations experience across the US, Hungary, and Germany. Owns relokate's product roadmap, platform automation, and the compliance frameworks HR teams rely on. ## Blog Articles (English) - Berlin Rental Restrictions 2026: Short-Term Permits & Employer Guide: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/berlin-rental-restrictions > Short-term permits, rent caps & subletting rules for Berlin 2026. What HR teams must know before housing employees — fines up to €500K. [Category: Relocation. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 8 min. Updated: 2026-03-20.] - Germany Immigration Law 2026: Key Changes for Employers: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/germanys-2026-immigration-changes > All 2026 immigration law changes: new Blue Card thresholds (€50,700), Chancenkarte expansion, digital consular portal, simplified family reunification. For HR teams. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Katharina Hilgers. Reading time: 12 min. Updated: 2026-03-25.] - EU Blue Card Germany 2026: €50,700 Salary Threshold Explained: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/eu-blue-card-guide > Does your hire qualify? €50,700 general / €45,934 shortage roles in 2026. IT without degree (3+ yrs exp). §81a fast-track — permit in 4–8 weeks. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Katharina Hilgers. Reading time: 15 min. Updated: 2026-03-20.] - Residence Permit After Job Loss: HR Obligations: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/residence-permits-after-job-termination > What happens to a Blue Card or work visa when employment ends? 3–12 month search window, employer notification duty, Arbeitgeberwechsel process. HR checklist. [Category: HR Guides. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 9 min. Updated: 2026-02-15.] - Employee Relocation Germany: 2026 Cost Breakdown: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/relocation-costs-germany > What relocating an international hire to Germany costs in 2026: visa fees, housing, flights, service fees, plus 6 hidden costs. Real numbers from 1,500+ moves. [Category: HR Guides. Author: Katharina Hilgers. Reading time: 10 min. Updated: 2026-03-01.] - Germany Construction Shortage 2026: Hiring Abroad: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/construction-talent-shortage > Germany's construction sector needs 100,000+ workers. How to recruit internationally: §18a skilled worker visa, Westbalkanregelung, recognition partnership, relocation. [Category: Market Insights. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 8 min. Updated: 2026-02-20.] - Maternity Leave Germany 2026: HR Guide: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/maternity-leave-germany-guide > Germany maternity leave: 14 weeks Mutterschutz at full pay, up to 3 years Elternzeit, €1,800/mo Elterngeld. What employers must do for international staff. [Category: HR Guides. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 11 min. Updated: 2026-04-08.] - Permanent Residence Germany: Requirements & How to Apply: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/permanent-residence-germany > How to get permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) in Germany. Requirements for Blue Card holders, skilled workers, and their families — with timelines. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Katharina Hilgers. Reading time: 10 min. Updated: 2026-04-10.] - Chancenkarte Germany: How It Works & Who Qualifies: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/chancenkarte-opportunity-card > The Chancenkarte lets qualified professionals come to Germany to look for work — without a job offer. Points system, requirements, and what it means for employers. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Katharina Hilgers. Reading time: 9 min. Updated: 2026-04-12.] - Work Permit Germany 2026: Employer Guide: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/work-permit-germany-guide > Every work permit route to Germany explained — Blue Card, skilled worker visa, ICT card, and more. Which one fits your hire, timelines, and costs. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Katharina Hilgers. Reading time: 14 min. Updated: 2026-04-15.] - Best Global Mobility Platforms Germany 2026: Top 5: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/top-global-mobility-platforms > Side-by-side comparison of the best relocation and global mobility platforms for hiring to Germany in 2026. relokate, Jobbatical, Localyze, Deel, and more — features, pricing, and which fits your team. [Category: Market Insights. Author: Katharina Hilgers. Reading time: 12 min. Updated: 2026-04-18.] - Regulated Professions Germany 2026: How to Check: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/regulated-vs-non-regulated-professions-germany > Regulated vs non-regulated professions in Germany. Is logistics manager, engineer, or architect regulated? How to check anabin, recognition process, employer steps. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 10 min. Updated: 2026-04-05.] - Degree Recognition Germany: HR Guide to Anerkennung: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/degree-recognition-germany > How to get a foreign degree recognised in Germany — ZAB, anabin, and the recognition process explained. Timelines, costs, and tips for HR teams. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 9 min. Updated: 2026-04-06.] - Western Balkans Regulation: Hiring to Germany: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/western-balkans-regulation-germany > The Westbalkanregelung lets companies hire workers from 6 Balkan countries for any job — no qualification recognition needed. How it works and who qualifies. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 10 min. Updated: 2026-07-01.] - Ausbildung Visa Germany: Hiring Apprentices (§16a): https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/ausbildung-visa-germany > How to hire non-EU workers for vocational training (Ausbildung) in Germany: the two routes, the 3–6 month timeline, and the language and cost requirements HR needs to plan for. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 9 min. Updated: 2026-07-24.] - Document Certification for German Work Visas: Guide: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/document-certification-germany > Which documents need certification, apostille, or sworn translation for a German visa? Complete checklist by document type with costs and timelines. [Category: HR Guides. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 8 min. Updated: 2026-07-02.] - Localyze Alternative for Germany: Why Switch to relokate: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/localyze-alternative-germany > Localyze was acquired by Boundless. For companies focused on Germany, relokate offers deeper expertise, attorney escalation, and transparent per-case pricing. [Category: Market Insights. Author: relokate Team. Reading time: 10 min. Updated: 2026-04-07.] - relokate vs Jobbatical: Hiring to Germany Compared: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/relokate-vs-jobbatical > Honest comparison of relokate and Jobbatical for companies hiring international talent to Germany. Features, pricing, expertise depth, and who each is best for. [Category: Market Insights. Author: relokate Team. Reading time: 11 min. Updated: 2026-04-07.] - Hiring International Talent in Germany: 2026 §45c Rules: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/hiring-international-talent-germany-2026 > New §45c AufenthG requires employers to provide Fair Integration leaflets to non-EU hires recruited from abroad. A statutory duty most HR teams have never heard of. Complete compliance guide for HR teams. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 8 min. Updated: 2026-06-15.] - Hiring IT Talent from Abroad: Germany Guide 2026: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/hiring-it-talent-abroad-germany > Complete guide to hiring IT specialists from abroad to Germany. Blue Card without degree, salary thresholds, fast-track procedure, and relocation essentials. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 10 min. Updated: 2026-04-07.] - How to Choose a German Immigration Service (2026): https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/how-to-choose-immigration-service-germany > Framework for evaluating immigration service providers in Germany. Compare lawyers, agencies, global platforms, and hybrid models. 8 questions to ask every provider. [Category: HR Guides. Author: Katharina Hilgers. Reading time: 9 min. Updated: 2026-04-07.] - Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz 2026: Employer Guide: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/skilled-immigration-act-germany > Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz explained: 2020 original through 2026 updates. Blue Card threshold, Chancenkarte, IT without degree, §45c duties, Anerkennungspartnerschaft. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Katharina Hilgers. Reading time: 12 min. Updated: 2026-04-07.] - Internship Visa Germany 2026: Requirements & Process: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/hiring-interns-germany-2026 > Internship visa Germany 2026: who needs one, mandatory vs voluntary rules, §16a vs §16e AufenthG, BA approval timelines, and what HR teams must do before day one. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 9 min. Updated: 2026-06-24.] - Hiring Chancenkarte Holders in Germany: Employer Guide 2026: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/chancenkarte-employer-guide > Chancenkarte employer guide: hire non-EU talent already in Germany. 20-hour rule, Probebeschäftigung, Blue Card conversion — the five HR questions answered. [Category: Immigration & Visas. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 10 min. Updated: 2026-06-29.] - The Ultimate Summer Travel Compliance Checklist for HR in Germany: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/working-abroad-german-permit-compliance > HR checklist for employees on a German residence permit who work remotely or holiday abroad: passport and permit validity, how long each permit allows abroad, reentry, tax and A1, and GDPR. [Category: HR Guides. Author: Katharina Hilgers. Reading time: 8 min. Updated: 2026-07-13.] - Employee Sabbaticals and Residence Permit: The HR Immigration Guide: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/sabbatical-residence-permit-germany > What HR must check, from the immigration side, before an employee on a German work permit or permanent residence takes a sabbatical: time abroad by status, the Blue Card salary threshold, registration, and informing the immigration office. [Category: HR Guides. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 6 min. Updated: 2026-07-23.] - Fiktionsbescheinigung: Can Your Employee Keep Working?: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/fiktionsbescheinigung-work-while-permit-pending > Whether an employee may work while their permit application is pending has to be reviewed case by case. How to avoid the situation, what Fiktionswirkung and Fiktionsbescheinigung each mean, what to check, travel rules, and the student-to-employee permit change. [Category: HR Guides. Author: Hanna Kovacs. Reading time: 8 min. Updated: 2026-08-07.] ## Blog Articles (Deutsch) - Berliner Mietrecht 2026: Regeln für Firmenunterkünfte: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/berliner-mietbeschraenkungen > Berlins Zweckentfremdungsverbot, Mietpreisbremse und Kurzzeitmiete-Regeln 2026: was HR-Teams vor dem Umzug internationaler Mitarbeiter wissen müssen. [Autor: Hanna Kovacs. Lesezeit: 8 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-03-20.] - Einwanderungsrecht 2026: Änderungen für Arbeitgeber: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/einwanderungsaenderungen-2026 > Einwanderungsgesetz 2026: neue Blaue-Karte-Gehaltsgrenzen, IT ohne Studium, Chancenkarte und §45c-Pflichten. Kompletter Überblick für HR-Teams. [Autor: Katharina Hilgers. Lesezeit: 12 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-03-25.] - Blaue Karte EU 2026: Gehalt & Antragsprozess: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/blaue-karte-eu-2026 > Blaue Karte EU 2026: Gehaltsgrenze 50.700 € / 45.934 € Mangelberufe, IT ohne Studium, Antragsprozess und Weg zur Niederlassungserlaubnis. [Autor: Katharina Hilgers. Lesezeit: 15 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-03-20.] - Aufenthaltstitel nach Kündigung: HR-Pflichten: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/aufenthaltstitel-nach-kuendigung > Was HR-Teams bei Kündigung internationaler Mitarbeiter tun müssen: Fristen, Meldepflichten, Aufenthaltstitel und Arbeitgeberwechsel. [Autor: Hanna Kovacs. Lesezeit: 9 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-02-15.] - Relocation-Kosten Deutschland 2026: Kompletter Überblick: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/relocation-kosten-deutschland > Was kostet die Versetzung eines internationalen Mitarbeiters nach Deutschland? Visa, Unterkunft, Flüge und versteckte Kosten — mit realen Zahlen. [Autor: Katharina Hilgers. Lesezeit: 10 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-03-01.] - Fachkräftemangel Bauwesen 2026: International rekrutieren: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/fachkraeftemangel-bauwesen > Bausektor fehlen 100.000+ Fachkräfte. Wie Unternehmen international rekrutieren: §18a-Visum, Westbalkanregelung und Anerkennungspartnerschaft. [Autor: Hanna Kovacs. Lesezeit: 8 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-02-20.] - Mutterschutz & Elternzeit 2026: Arbeitgeber-Leitfaden: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/mutterschutz-elternzeit-leitfaden > Mutterschutz, Elterngeld, Elternzeit: Alle Rechte und Pflichten für Arbeitgeber mit internationalen Mitarbeitern in Deutschland. [Autor: Hanna Kovacs. Lesezeit: 11 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-04-08.] - Niederlassungserlaubnis: Arbeitgeber-Leitfaden 2026: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/niederlassungserlaubnis-leitfaden > Alles zur Niederlassungserlaubnis: Voraussetzungen, Fristen, verkürzte Wartezeit für Blue-Card-Inhaber und was HR-Teams wissen müssen. [Autor: Katharina Hilgers. Lesezeit: 10 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-04-10.] - Internationale Fachkräfte einstellen: Arbeitgeber-Leitfaden 2026: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/internationale-fachkraefte-einstellen > Internationale Fachkräfte nach Deutschland holen: alle Aufenthaltstitel, Berufsanerkennung, beschleunigtes Verfahren, Kosten und Ablauf. [Autor: Katharina Hilgers. Lesezeit: 14 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-04-15.] - Reglementierte Berufe Deutschland: Arbeitgeber-Check: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/reglementierte-berufe-deutschland > Ist der Beruf Ihres Hires in Deutschland reglementiert? Dann braucht er eine formale Berufsanerkennung. So prüfen Sie es und was Sie tun müssen. [Autor: Hanna Kovacs. Lesezeit: 10 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-04-05.] - Westbalkanregelung 2026: Arbeitgeber-Leitfaden: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/westbalkanregelung-deutschland > Mit der Westbalkanregelung Arbeitskräfte aus 6 Balkan-Ländern für jede Tätigkeit einstellen — ohne Qualifikationsanerkennung. Vorteile, Kontingent, Ablauf und Kosten. [Autor: Hanna Kovacs. Lesezeit: 10 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-07-01.] - Ausbildungsvisum Deutschland: internationale Azubis einstellen (§16a): https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/ausbildungsvisum-deutschland > Wie Sie Nicht-EU-Fachkräfte für eine Ausbildung in Deutschland einstellen: die zwei Visa-Wege (§16a und §16d), Zeitrahmen sowie Sprach- und Kostenanforderungen. [Autor: Hanna Kovacs. Lesezeit: 9 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-07-24.] - Dokumente beglaubigen für das deutsche Arbeitsvisum: Leitfaden: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/dokumentenbeglaubigung-deutschland > Welche Dokumente brauchen Beglaubigung, Apostille oder beglaubigte Übersetzung für ein deutsches Visum? Vollständige Checkliste nach Dokumententyp mit Kosten und Fristen. [Autor: Hanna Kovacs. Lesezeit: 8 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-07-02.] - Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz 2026: Arbeitgeber-Leitfaden: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/fachkraefteeinwanderungsgesetz-leitfaden > Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz erklärt — Original 2020 bis Updates 2026. Blaue Karte, Chancenkarte, IT ohne Studium und §45c-Pflichten. [Autor: Katharina Hilgers. Lesezeit: 12 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-04-07.] - Praktikumsvisum Deutschland 2026: Voraussetzungen & Prozess: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/praktikanten-einstellen-deutschland-2026 > Praktikumsvisum Deutschland 2026: Wer es braucht, §16a vs. §16e AufenthG, BA-Zustimmung und Zeitrahmen — was HR-Teams vor Praktikumsbeginn klären müssen. [Autor: Hanna Kovacs. Lesezeit: 9 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-06-24.] - Chancenkarte Arbeitgeber 2026: Leitfaden für HR-Teams: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/chancenkarte-arbeitgeber-leitfaden > Chancenkarte-Inhaber:innen einstellen 2026: Suchphase, Probebeschäftigung, Titelwechsel zur Blauen Karte EU — die fünf HR-Fragen, die Arbeitgeber stellen. [Autor: Hanna Kovacs. Lesezeit: 10 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-06-29.] - Die ultimative Sommer-Reise-Compliance-Checkliste für HR in Deutschland: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/sommer-reise-compliance-checkliste > HR-Checkliste für Mitarbeitende mit deutschem Aufenthaltstitel, die im Ausland remote arbeiten oder Urlaub machen: Pass- und Titelgültigkeit, erlaubte Zeit im Ausland je Titel, Wiedereinreise, Steuer, A1 und DSGVO. [Autor: Katharina Hilgers. Lesezeit: 8 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-07-13.] - Sabbatical von Mitarbeitenden und Aufenthaltstitel: Der HR-Leitfaden aus Einwanderungssicht: https://www.relokatehr.com/de/blog/sabbatical-aufenthaltstitel-deutschland > Was HR aus Einwanderungssicht prüfen muss, bevor Mitarbeitende mit deutschem Aufenthaltstitel oder Niederlassungserlaubnis ein Sabbatical nehmen: Zeit im Ausland nach Status, Gehaltsgrenze der Blauen Karte, Anmeldung und Information der Ausländerbehörde. [Autor: Hanna Kovacs. Lesezeit: 6 Min. Aktualisiert: 2026-07-23.] ## Immigration Glossary (Definitions) - EU Blue Card: https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/eu-blue-card > A work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals — requiring a university degree and an employment contract meeting a minimum salary threshold. - Anmeldung: https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/anmeldung > The mandatory address registration that every resident in Germany must complete within 14 days of moving to a new address. - Ausländerbehörde: https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/auslaenderbehoerde > The foreigners' registration office — the local government authority that issues and manages residence permits for non-German nationals. - Aufenthaltstitel: https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/aufenthaltstitel > The general term for a residence permit — the official document that grants a non-EU national the right to live and work in Germany. - ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen): https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/zab > The Central Office for Foreign Education — the German authority that evaluates and recognises foreign university degrees. - anabin: https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/anabin > The German database that lists foreign universities and degrees with their German equivalency status — used to check if your degree is already recognised. - Sperrkonto (Blocked Account): https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/sperrkonto > A special German bank account with a blocked balance that proves you have enough funds to support yourself — required for certain visa types. - Niederlassungserlaubnis: https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/niederlassungserlaubnis > Germany's permanent residence permit — grants an employee unlimited right to live and work in Germany without the restrictions of a temporary permit. - Steuer-ID (Tax Identification Number): https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/steuer-id > An 11-digit tax identification number automatically assigned to every registered resident in Germany — needed for employment and banking. - Meldebescheinigung: https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/meldebescheinigung > The official registration certificate you receive after completing your Anmeldung — proof that you are registered at a German address. - Wohnungsgeberbestätigung: https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/wohnungsgeberbestaetigung > A landlord confirmation form required for your Anmeldung — your landlord must sign it to confirm you live at the address. - Health Insurance in Germany (Krankenversicherung): https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/health-insurance-germany > Health insurance is mandatory for everyone living in Germany — you must choose between public (gesetzliche) and private (private) insurance. - Fiktionsbescheinigung: https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/fiktionsbescheinigung > A provisional document issued by the Ausländerbehörde that proves your stay in Germany is lawful while your residence permit application is being processed. - Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Immigration Act): https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/fachkraefteeinwanderungsgesetz > Germany's landmark immigration reform that makes it easier for employers to hire skilled workers with vocational training, academic degrees, or professional experience from abroad. - Familienzusammenführung (Family Reunification): https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/familienzusammenfuehrung > The legal process that allows your international hire's spouse, children, and — since March 2024 — parents and parents-in-law to join them in Germany. - Arbeitserlaubnis (Work Permit): https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/arbeitserlaubnis > In Germany, there is no standalone work permit — the right to work is tied to the residence title, which specifies whether and under what conditions employment is allowed. - Beglaubigte Übersetzung (Certified Translation): https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/beglaubigte-uebersetzung > A translation of an official document made by a sworn or certified translator in Germany — required when foreign documents are submitted to German authorities. - Anerkennung (Recognition of Foreign Qualifications): https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/anerkennung > The formal process by which a German authority evaluates whether a foreign qualification is equivalent to a German reference occupation — mandatory for regulated professions. - Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card): https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/chancenkarte > A residence title that allows qualified non-EU professionals to enter Germany and search for employment. For employers, the Chancenkarte creates a pool of pre-qualified international candidates who are already in Germany, available for interviews and paid trial employment — and ready to convert to an EU Blue Card or skilled worker permit once hired. - ICT Card (Intra-Company Transfer): https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/ict-card > A residence permit under Section 19 AufenthG that allows companies to transfer managers, specialists, and trainees from a foreign branch to a German branch for up to 3 years. - Consular Services Portal (Auslandsportal): https://www.relokatehr.com/learn/consular-services-portal > The German government's online platform at digital.diplo.de where visa applicants submit their national visa application, upload documents, and communicate with the embassy before their in-person appointment. ## Services - Visa & work permits: https://www.relokatehr.com/services/visa-work-permits > End-to-end visa application handling — Blue Card, skilled worker visa, ICT card, internship visa. relokate prepares documents, files with the Bundesagentur für Arbeit and the German embassy, and supports the candidate through the embassy interview. - Fast-track processing (Beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren): https://www.relokatehr.com/services/fast-track > §81a AufenthG accelerated procedure that compresses visa timelines from 12+ weeks to 4–8 weeks. Available only for candidates currently abroad. Employer pre-files via the Ausländerbehörde. - Family reunification: https://www.relokatehr.com/services/family-reunification > Spouse and children visas under §29–32 AufenthG. Includes A1 German exemption logic for spouses of Blue Card holders. - Residence permits: https://www.relokatehr.com/services/residence-permits > Extensions, employer changes (Arbeitgeberwechsel), purpose changes (Zweckwechsel), settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) applications. - Compliance Watch: https://www.relokatehr.com/compliance-watch > Managed immigration compliance for employers in Germany. Permit-expiry alerts 6, 3 and 1 month(s) before deadline with renewal instructions; statutory employer-duty alerts incl. the §45c AufenthG Faire Integration notification (in force since 1 January 2026 for recruitment from abroad; a statutory duty with no current fine — §45c is not in the §98 AufenthG penalty catalogue); case-matched monitoring of German immigration law; on-demand Right to Work checks (48h standard, 24h urgent). Included with every relokate engagement; also available as a standalone subscription. - Relocation software platform: https://www.relokatehr.com/relocation-software > Real-time case management dashboard for HR teams: visa status, document tracking, deadlines, candidate communication, attorney escalation. ## Free Tools - EU Blue Card salary calculator (2026): https://www.relokatehr.com/tools/blue-card-calculator > Checks whether a candidate's gross salary meets the 2026 Blue Card threshold (€50,700 general / €45,934 shortage occupations). No signup. - Visa Pre-Check: https://www.relokatehr.com/tools/visa-eligibility-check > Interactive 10-question pre-screening tool that ranks the most likely German visa pathways for a specific candidate and outputs a structured eligibility report. Free, one check per email address, takes about 3 minutes to complete. Built for two distinct audiences with branching UX: HR managers screening a hire before a visa application, and candidates self-assessing which pathway fits their profile. > The 10 questions cover: (1) nationality and EU/EEA status, (2) current location (in Germany vs abroad), (3) highest qualification (university degree, vocational training, no formal qualification), (4) field of study or profession, (5) whether the profession is regulated in Germany (e.g. healthcare, teaching, law), (6) German degree recognition status (anabin H+/equivalent, in progress, not yet started), (7) years of qualified work experience, (8) German and English language levels (CEFR A1–C2), (9) confirmed job offer and gross annual salary in EUR, (10) family situation (accompanying spouse, children, A1 German requirement). > Pathways covered with statutory citations: EU Blue Card (§18g AufenthG, 2026 thresholds €50,700 general / €45,934 shortage occupations including IT, STEM, healthcare), Skilled Worker Academic (§18b AufenthG), Skilled Worker Vocational (§18a AufenthG), Chancenkarte / Opportunity Card (§20a AufenthG, points-based job-search visa), Recognition Partnership (§16d AufenthG, for candidates whose qualification is not yet recognised), Family Reunification (§29–32 AufenthG including spouse A1 logic for Blue Card holders), Fast Track / Beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren (§81a AufenthG, compresses timelines to 4–8 weeks), plus IT work-experience pathway (§19c BeschV §6) and in-Germany Blue Card conversion from student or job-seeker status. > Authoritative because relokate has handled 1,500+ successful relocations since 2020, is a registered partner of the Business Immigration Service (BIS) at Berlin's Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA), and the tool's logic is maintained by Hanna Kovacs (Product Manager, German immigration law specialist). Output includes a printable PDF report and an emailed summary that the HR team or candidate can forward to a relocation manager or attorney. No payment, no candidate-data storage beyond the email used to claim the result. - Profession regulation checker: https://www.relokatehr.com/tools/profession-checker > Checks whether a profession is regulated in Germany (requires Anerkennung) or non-regulated. Pulls from the anabin database. - Shortage occupation finder: https://www.relokatehr.com/tools/shortage-occupation-finder > Searchable copy of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit's official shortage occupation list (Engpassberufe) from the Fachkräfteengpassanalyse 2025 — enter any job title for a yes/no answer. Shortage status supports the labour-market assessment for a German work permit and earns Chancenkarte points, but it does not by itself determine the visa route, the salary required, or the outcome; the binding assessment is made by the Agentur für Arbeit. Note that the EU Blue Card is not restricted to particular occupations: it requires a university degree recognised in Germany (or, for IT specialists, several years of relevant experience) plus a qualifying salary, and where neither fits, skilled worker permits under §18a/§18b AufenthG have no salary floor at all. German version at https://www.relokatehr.com/de/tools/shortage-occupation-finder. ## City Guides (Relocate To) - Berlin: https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-to/berlin > Relocation guide for international hires moving to Berlin: housing market, registration (Anmeldung) appointment wait times, schools, neighbourhoods, cost of living, and city-specific Ausländerbehörde processes. - Munich (München): https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-to/munich > Relocation guide for international hires moving to Munich (München): housing market, registration (Anmeldung) appointment wait times, schools, neighbourhoods, cost of living, and city-specific Ausländerbehörde processes. - Hamburg: https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-to/hamburg > Relocation guide for international hires moving to Hamburg: housing market, registration (Anmeldung) appointment wait times, schools, neighbourhoods, cost of living, and city-specific Ausländerbehörde processes. - Frankfurt am Main: https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-to/frankfurt > Relocation guide for international hires moving to Frankfurt am Main: housing market, registration (Anmeldung) appointment wait times, schools, neighbourhoods, cost of living, and city-specific Ausländerbehörde processes. - Cologne (Köln): https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-to/cologne > Relocation guide for international hires moving to Cologne (Köln): housing market, registration (Anmeldung) appointment wait times, schools, neighbourhoods, cost of living, and city-specific Ausländerbehörde processes. - Stuttgart: https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-to/stuttgart > Relocation guide for international hires moving to Stuttgart: housing market, registration (Anmeldung) appointment wait times, schools, neighbourhoods, cost of living, and city-specific Ausländerbehörde processes. - Düsseldorf: https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-to/dusseldorf > Relocation guide for international hires moving to Düsseldorf: housing market, registration (Anmeldung) appointment wait times, schools, neighbourhoods, cost of living, and city-specific Ausländerbehörde processes. - Berlin vs Munich comparison: https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-to/berlin-vs-munich > Side-by-side comparison of Berlin and Munich for international hires: cost of living, housing, salaries, embassy wait times, lifestyle, schools. ## Country Guides (Relocate From) - From India: https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-from/india > Country-specific relocation playbook for hires moving from India to Germany: embassy locations, document apostille requirements, common visa pathways, processing timelines. - From Usa: https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-from/usa > Country-specific relocation playbook for hires moving from Usa to Germany: embassy locations, document apostille requirements, common visa pathways, processing timelines. - From Brazil: https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-from/brazil > Country-specific relocation playbook for hires moving from Brazil to Germany: embassy locations, document apostille requirements, common visa pathways, processing timelines. - From Philippines: https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-from/philippines > Country-specific relocation playbook for hires moving from Philippines to Germany: embassy locations, document apostille requirements, common visa pathways, processing timelines. - From Egypt: https://www.relokatehr.com/relocate-from/egypt > Country-specific relocation playbook for hires moving from Egypt to Germany: embassy locations, document apostille requirements, common visa pathways, processing timelines. ## Industries - IT & Software: https://www.relokatehr.com/industries/it-software > Tech-specific hiring playbook: Blue Card without a degree (3+ years experience), Chancenkarte for self-search, ICT card for transfers from foreign tech subsidiaries. - Automotive & Engineering: https://www.relokatehr.com/industries/automotive-engineering > Engineering recruitment to Germany's automotive sector: §18b skilled worker visa for academics, §18a for vocationally trained, anerkennung shortcuts for engineers. - Healthcare & Life Sciences: https://www.relokatehr.com/industries/healthcare-life-sciences > Healthcare and life sciences recruitment: regulated profession (anerkennung mandatory), recognition partnership pathway, language requirements (B2 typical). - Finance & Fintech: https://www.relokatehr.com/industries/finance-fintech > Finance and fintech hiring: Blue Card pathways, ICT for international banks, BaFin licensing intersect with immigration timelines. ## Comparisons / Alternatives - relokate vs Deel: https://www.relokatehr.com/alternatives/deel > Comparison vs Deel for Germany-specific hiring: Deel covers 150+ countries shallowly; relokate is Germany-deep with BIS partnership, attorney escalation, and pay-per-case pricing. - relokate vs Jobbatical: https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/relokate-vs-jobbatical > Comparison vs Jobbatical: both immigration platforms; relokate has deeper Germany expertise, BIS partnership, and EU/EEA-only focus vs Jobbatical's global breadth. - Localyze alternative (post-Boundless acquisition): https://www.relokatehr.com/blog/localyze-alternative-germany > Why German companies are switching from Localyze to relokate after the Boundless acquisition: ownership/strategy change, dedicated German consultants, predictable pricing. - relokate vs Fragomen: https://www.relokatehr.com/alternatives/fragomen > Comparison vs Fragomen for German immigration: Fragomen is global Big-4-style legal; relokate is software + immigration experts with attorney escalation, faster turnaround, transparent pricing. - relokate vs VisaRight: https://www.relokatehr.com/alternatives/visaright > Comparison vs VisaRight: VisaRight pivoted to B2C self-serve; relokate stays B2B with dedicated relocation managers per case. ## Case Studies - Flink: https://www.relokatehr.com/case-studies/flink > Flexible ad-hoc immigration support for the Berlin grocery delivery startup. Pay-per-case pricing without retainer matched their unpredictable hiring cadence. - Marquardt: https://www.relokatehr.com/case-studies/marquardt > Scaling international engineering hiring at the German automotive supplier — multi-cohort relocations with consistent SLAs. - CODE University: https://www.relokatehr.com/case-studies/code-university > Professor and academic relocations to Berlin including spouse and family logistics, school search, and §16d teaching permit pathway. ## Company - About: https://www.relokatehr.com/about > Founded 2020 in Berlin by Katharina Hilgers. Team of immigration experts, software engineers, and partner attorneys. relokate HR GmbH is a registered partner of the Business Immigration Service (BIS) at Berlin's Landesamt für Einwanderung. - Pricing: https://www.relokatehr.com/pricing > Annual software & compliance fee (includes Compliance Watch monitoring) plus per-case pricing for relocation and visa services — no per-seat fees, no case minimums. Case pricing varies by visa pathway and complexity; transparent quote on first call. Compliance Watch is also available as a standalone subscription. - FAQ: https://www.relokatehr.com/faq > Common HR questions about hiring international talent to Germany — visa types, timelines, costs, BA approval, family reunification, post-hire registration. - Contact / book a demo: https://www.relokatehr.com/contact ## Key Facts - Founded: 2020, Berlin - Legal entity: relokate HR GmbH, Berlin, Germany - Founder: Katharina Hilgers - Relocations completed: 1,500+ since 2020 - Google rating: 5.0 (73 reviews) - G2 rating: 4.8 (3 reviews) — https://www.g2.com/products/relokate/reviews - BIS partnership: registered partner at Berlin's Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA) — Business Immigration Service - Blue Card salary threshold 2026: €50,700 (general) / €45,934 (shortage occupations: IT, STEM, healthcare) - Mindestlohn 2026: €13.90/hour (~€2,410 gross/month at 40h/week) — applies to voluntary interns and most other employees - Internship visa minimum subsistence (2026): ~€992 net/month for mandatory interns - Data hosting: Germany, GDPR-compliant - Service model: dedicated Relocation Partner per employee + software dashboard + attorney escalation - Languages supported: English, German ## Optional - Sitemap: https://www.relokatehr.com/sitemap.xml - Privacy policy: https://www.relokatehr.com/privacy - Imprint (Impressum): https://www.relokatehr.com/imprint - Short llms.txt: https://www.relokatehr.com/llms.txt