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Relocate to Germany from Australia

Australian professionals relocate to Germany for roles in tech, automotive, consulting, and research. Under Section 41 of the German Residence Ordinance, Australian citizens can enter Germany visa-free and apply for their residence permit directly at the local Ausländerbehörde — no embassy visa required. This makes Australia one of the fastest nationalities to relocate.

Typical timeline: 3–8 weeks after arrival in GermanyVisa-free entry — can apply from within Germany

Visa-free entry for Australian nationals (Section 41 AufenthV)

Australian citizens can enter Germany without a visa for up to 90 days under Section 41 AufenthV. During this period, they can apply for a residence permit directly at the local Ausländerbehörde. However, they are not permitted to start working until the permit is granted or a Fiktionsbescheinigung (provisional certificate) explicitly authorising employment has been issued. Book your appointment early — the 90-day window goes fast.

Visa options for Australian professionals

EU Blue Card

The preferred route for Australian professionals with a degree and a high-salary job offer. Applied for directly in Germany after visa-free entry. Australian degrees are well recognised.

2–6 weeks (from within Germany)

Skilled Worker Visa (§18b AufenthG)

For qualified Australian workers with recognised credentials and a job offer. Applied for at the Ausländerbehörde after arrival.

2–8 weeks

Working Holiday Visa

For Australians aged 18–30. Allows up to 12 months in Germany with the right to work. Can be converted to a work visa if you find long-term employment.

2–4 weeks

Required documents

Documents typically needed for Australian nationals applying for a German work visa.

Valid Australian passport
University degree (Australian degrees are well recognised)
Employment contract or binding job offer
Proof of health insurance
Biometric passport photos
CV in English or German
Proof of accommodation in Germany
Anmeldung (address registration) — required before applying for your permit

Tips for relocating from Australia

Australian citizens can enter Germany visa-free and apply for a residence permit on arrival — no embassy appointment needed

Australian degrees are well recognised — most are already in the anabin database

Germany and Australia have a bilateral Working Holiday agreement for under-30s

Complete your Anmeldung within 14 days of arrival — it's a prerequisite for your permit application

Australia and Germany have a social security agreement covering pension contributions

relokate best practice

We review every situation case by case

While this guide provides general information, every relocation is different. Your talent will only be able to start working in Germany once they have received their residence title (Aufenthaltstitel) — or a Fiktionsbescheinigung that explicitly permits employment. Even for visa-free nationalities, this means careful timing. Our immigration experts assess each case individually to find the fastest, most compliant route — so your new hire starts on schedule, not in legal limbo.

Why companies choose relokate

Unlike generic relocation agencies or pure-play software, relokate combines both — so nothing falls through the cracks.

Software + human experts

Most competitors offer either software or service. relokate gives you a real-time dashboard backed by dedicated immigration specialists who handle the actual process.

Germany-deep, not global-wide

We focus exclusively on relocations to Germany. That means deeper expertise in German immigration law, local Ausländerbehörde processes, and the nuances that generalist platforms miss.

Case-by-case assessment

No two relocations are the same. We evaluate each hire's nationality, qualifications, family situation, and timeline to find the fastest compliant path — not a one-size-fits-all template.

Start-date certainty

Your talent can only work once they hold their title. We anticipate bottlenecks and manage timelines proactively, so your team can plan around a realistic start date — not a hopeful one.