'Types of German visas: short-term Schengen visas, national D visas, and
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German visas are divided into two main groups: short-term Schengen visas for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, and national Type D visas for long-term stays. The correct type depends on the purpose of your visit: tourism, business travel, study, work, job search, family reunification, or relocation followed by the application for an Aufenthaltstitel at the Ausländerbehörde.
Quick Comparison
| Situation | Typically Suitable For | What’s Important to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism, visitors, short business trips | Type C Schengen visa or visa-free entry, if permitted for your nationality | 90/180-day limit, purpose of travel, insurance, finances, return ticket |
| Airport transit | Airport transit visa or a standard Schengen visa if you leave the transit area | Do you need a transit visa based on your nationality? |
| Working in Germany | National D Visa followed by a Residence Permit | Contract, qualifications, professional recognition, salary thresholds |
| EU Blue Card | National D Visa / EU Blue Card | Degree, suitable job, minimum wage for 2026 |
| Studying | National Student Visa | Enrollment, Financing, Insurance |
| Family Reunification | National D Visa | Family Relationship, Housing/Income, Language, Status of the Host |
| Job search | Chancenkarte or other appropriate status | Points/qualifications, language, financial resources |
Short-term Schengen visas
A Schengen visa allows you to stay in Germany and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It is used for trips that do not involve long-term residence in Germany.
Main purposes:
- tourism and visiting friends or relatives;
- short business meetings, trade shows, and conferences;
- transit, if the route requires a visa;
- short courses or events, provided they fall within the rules for short-term stays.
As of June 2024, the standard fee for a Schengen visa for adults is 90 euros. For children aged 6–11, the fee is usually 45 euros, and for children under 6, there is no fee. Reductions or exemptions apply for certain nationalities and categories of applicants, so you should check the final amount on the website of the German mission where you are submitting your application.
National Type D Visa
A national visa is required if the purpose of the stay is for more than 90 days or if you are moving to Germany. After entering the country on such a visa, the person usually registers at their place of residence and applies to the Ausländerbehörde for an Aufenthaltstitel.
National visas include:
- work visas for skilled professionals;
- EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU);
- student visas and visas for preparatory courses;
- visas for vocational training;
- visas for family reunification;
- Visas and statuses for job seeking, including the Chancenkarte;
- Certain humanitarian and special categories.
The standard fee for a national visa is often 75 euros for adults and 37.50 euros for minors, but exemptions and local service fees vary depending on the category and the country where the application is submitted.
Work Visas and the EU Blue Card
To work in Germany, you generally need a specific job offer, proof of qualifications, and fulfillment of the requirements for your chosen basis for entry. For regulated professions, such as in medicine, you also need a professional license or confirmation that one will be issued.
The following salary thresholds have been officially specified for the EU Blue Card in 2026:
- 50,700 euros gross per year as the general threshold;
- 45,934.20 euros gross per year for occupations in high demand, subject to approval by the Federal Employment Agency;
- 45,934.20 euros gross per year for certain entry-level professionals, provided the degree was obtained no more than three years ago and additional conditions are met;
- €45,934.20 gross per year for IT specialists without a formal degree, provided they meet the requirements for experience and position.
These amounts vary from year to year. Before applying, you should check the threshold for the year you start working and your specific category.
Student Visa
To study in Germany, you usually need confirmation of admission or acceptance into a preparatory program, health insurance, and proof of sufficient funds to cover your living expenses. One way to provide financial proof is through a Sperrkonto.
For a student visa in 2026, the official Make it in Germany portal lists a guideline of 11,904 euros per year. Other forms of proof are also possible: a scholarship, a Verpflichtungserklärung, or other documents accepted by the specific consulate.
Chancenkarte for Job Search
The Chancenkarte allows qualified citizens of non-EU/EEA countries to come to Germany to look for work without a signed employment contract, provided they meet the requirements regarding qualifications, language proficiency, points, or direct recognition as a Fachkraft.
In 2026, the official “Make it in Germany” FAQ specifies a guideline of 1,091 euros net per month for financial proof under the Chancenkarte program. It’s best to check the qualification and point requirements using the official self-check tool and the Chancenkarte website, as the details depend on your education, experience, language skills, and age.
Family Reunification
A family reunification visa applies to spouses, minor children, and, in certain cases, other family members. The required documents depend on the status of the sponsor in Germany: German citizen, EU citizen, residence permit holder, Blue Card holder, refugee, or other status.
The most common checks are:
- documents proving family relationship or marriage;
- a valid passport;
- housing and financial circumstances, if required;
- Basic knowledge of German for some spouses;
- the status of the person to whom you are moving.
Special Rules for Ukrainian Citizens
Ukrainian citizens with a biometric passport may enter the Schengen Area without a visa for a short-term stay under the 90/180 rule, provided the purpose of the visit falls within the scope of the visa-free regime. This does not automatically grant the right to work.
For people who have left Ukraine due to the war and are eligible for temporary protection, a separate provision applies under § 24 AufenthG. Germany has extended existing residence permits for temporary protection: if such a permit is valid as of February 1, 2026, it is automatically extended until March 4, 2027. You do not need to visit the Ausländerbehörde separately to request an extension, but in complex cases, it is best to check your situation on Germany4Ukraine and with your local immigration office.
How to Choose the Right Type of Visa
- Determine the purpose of your trip: tourism, work, study, family, job search, or asylum.
- Check whether your nationality requires a visa for short-term entry.
- If your stay is longer than 90 days, look for a national D visa for your specific purpose.
- Check the official checklist provided by the German diplomatic mission in the country where you are applying.
- Check the application fees, financial requirements, and income thresholds specifically for the year you are applying.
- Prepare translations, insurance, biometric data, and proof of the purpose of your trip.
- After entering the country on a long-term visa, be sure to register and report to the Ausländerbehörde.
Common Mistakes
- Choose a Schengen visa for a purpose that requires a national visa;
- consider visa-free entry to be the right to work;
- use the old amounts for the Blue Card, Sperrkonto, or Chancenkarte;
- submit an incomplete set of documents without a checklist from the specific consulate;
- do not take into account the recognition of a degree or the requirements for a regulated profession;
- They wait too long to schedule an appointment, leaving no time for processing.
FAQ
Is it possible to enter Germany on a Schengen visa and apply for a work residence permit?
Generally, a long-term stay requires a national D visa prior to entry. Exceptions depend on citizenship and the basis for the visit, so this should be verified in advance according to official regulations.
How long does it take to process a visa?
Schengen visa applications are often processed more quickly, while national visas can take weeks or months. The processing time depends on the country of application, the visa category, the completeness of the documents, and the involvement of German authorities.
Where can you check the current requirements?
Use the website of the German diplomatic mission in the country where you are applying, Auslandsportal, Make it in Germany, Germany4Ukraine for Ukraine-related questions, and the Auswärtiges Amt website. Commercial websites should only be used as supplementary explanations, not as a source of regulations.
