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Relocate to Germany from United Kingdom

Since Brexit, UK nationals need a residence permit to work in Germany. However, under Section 41 of the German Residence Ordinance, British citizens can enter Germany visa-free and apply for their work permit directly at the local Ausländerbehörde — without needing a visa from the embassy first. This makes the UK one of the fastest nationalities to relocate. British professionals commonly move for finance, consulting, and tech roles.

Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks after arrival in GermanyVisa-free entry — can apply from within Germany

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

British 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 Ausländerbehörde appointment as early as possible — wait times in major cities can be several weeks.

Visa options for British professionals

EU Blue Card

For highly qualified British professionals with a degree and a job offer meeting the salary threshold. Applied for directly in Germany after visa-free entry.

2–6 weeks (from within Germany)

Skilled Worker Visa (§18b AufenthG)

For British workers with recognised qualifications and a job offer. Applied for at the Ausländerbehörde after arrival. UK degrees are generally well-recognised.

2–8 weeks

Freelance Visa (§21 AufenthG)

For self-employed British professionals. Requires a business plan and proof of economic interest or regional need in Germany.

4–12 weeks

Required documents

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

Valid passport
University degree (UK degrees are widely 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 United Kingdom

Post-Brexit, UK nationals are treated as third-country nationals but retain the privilege of visa-free entry and in-country permit applications

UK degrees are generally recognised without additional ZAB evaluation

Complete your Anmeldung within 14 days of arrival — you need it for your permit application

Book your Ausländerbehörde appointment immediately after arrival, as wait times can be long in Berlin and Munich

British nationals with pre-settled or settled status in an EU country may have different rights

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.