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Relocate to Germany from India

India is one of the largest sources of skilled tech talent relocating to Germany. Indian professionals typically move for IT, engineering, and research roles. The EU Blue Card is the most common visa route, with strong demand in cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg. Indian nationals must apply for a visa at the German embassy before travelling.

Typical timeline: 6–12 weeks from application to arrival

Visa options for Indian professionals

EU Blue Card

The most popular route for Indian IT and engineering professionals. Requires a recognised degree and a job offer meeting the salary threshold.

4–8 weeks

Skilled Worker Visa (§18b AufenthG)

For qualified professionals with a recognised degree in non-shortage occupations. Requires a concrete job offer from a German employer.

4–12 weeks

Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card)

A points-based residence title that allows Indian professionals to enter Germany for up to 12 months to find qualified employment. Replaced the Job Seeker Visa in June 2024. Requires qualifications, financial means (€1,091/month), and German A1 or English B2.

4–8 weeks

Required documents

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

Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
University degree with apostille or legalisation
Degree recognition (anabin or ZAB)
Employment contract or binding job offer
Proof of health insurance
Biometric passport photos
CV in English or German
Proof of accommodation in Germany
Blocked account (Sperrkonto) for Chancenkarte

Tips for relocating from India

Start degree recognition early — ZAB processing can take 4–6 weeks

The German embassy in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata handle visa applications

Book your visa appointment as early as possible — wait times can be 2–4 weeks

Many Indian degrees are already listed in the anabin database, which speeds up recognition

Consider the Fast Track process through the Federal Employment Agency for faster processing

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.