Investment-Based Visas for Germany: Which Viable Options Exist?
Know how to answer the next time your client asks about investment-based residence permits for Germany. By Leanne Wang.
Germany’s self-employment visa is open to those who wish to either set up a business in Germany or work as a freelancer in a “liberal profession”. The visa offers a path to both permanent residency and citizenship in Germany and – by extension – the EU.
Though German authorities don’t specify any minimum investment amounts, enterprising service providers have identified successful standardized investment routes with effective minimum investments amounting to some EUR 350,000.
Program Type | Active Investor Visa |
Time to citizenship | 8 years or less (See Path to Citizenship) |
Time to permanent residency | 5 years |
Minimum investment | None (de facto EUR 350,000 in Business Investor category) |
Physical presence requirement | Not specified |
Application processing time | 3 months |
Citizenship grants visa-free travel to | 190 destinations, including Schengen countries and US |
Contribution types available | Business Investment, proof of sufficient project finance |
General program requirements
The Residence Act does not specify any minimum investment amount to qualify for the initial temporary residence permit under section 21 of the Residence Act Part 4.
Starting a business
For those who wish to start a business in Germany, the investment must meet the following three criteria:
1. There is an economic interests at national level or a regional need for the investment;
2. The business investments are expected to have a positive impact on the economy; and
3. The foreigner has personal capital, funding or an approved loan to carry out their business plan.
The following investment types are known to have met with successful applications:
A €250,000 investment into physical assets which could be property combined with a €100,000 investment into an ongoing regional development project.
The investment needs to be held for a minimum of five years.
Working as a freelancer (freiberufler)
The self-employment visa is also available to those planning to work as a freelancer in “one of the liberal professions“, as long as they meet the below criteria:
You can provide proof of sufficient funds to finance your projects.
You have obtained any licenses required perform the job in question.
The initial residence permit is held for a maximum of 3 years and can be renewed 6 months before expiry. The main applicant’s spouse and children under 18 may be included under the visa and can work and study in Germany.
Program benefits
Requirements to qualify for citizenship
An applicant may apply for a temporary residence permit after their application and business plan has been approved. The initial permit has a validity period of three years and is renewable as long as the investments are not withdrawn.
After being a resident for five years, the applicant can apply for Permanent Residency. This is not an automatic process and certain criteria of integration into German society and professional knowledge of the German language is required.
After legally residing in Germany for 8 years, (reduced to 7 if the applicant passes a special integration course), applicants are allowed to apply for German citizenship.
Legislation upon which this program is based:
Residence Act Part 4 Section 21 (1.3)
No statistics are available yet for this program.
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Know how to answer the next time your client asks about investment-based residence permits for Germany. By Leanne Wang.
Press release via Henley & Partners: Japan and Singapore have knocked Germany off the top spot of the Henley Passport Index,
Programs that offer citizenship within months in exchange for investments or donations, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Programs that offer citizenship in exchange for investments following a 1-2 year period, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Bulgaria Investor Program (discontinued)
Malta MEIN
Programs that offer residence permits within months in exchange for passive investments, with limited physical presence requirements.
Andorra Residence Without Lucrative Activity
Anguilla Permanent Residency Program
Australia BIIP Investor Streams
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence
Barbados SERP Program
Bermuda Economic Investment Certificate (EIC) Program
Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER)
Cambodia My 2nd Home
Cayman Islands Investor Visa
Colombia Investor Visas M and R
Costa Rica Investor Visa
Curaçao Investor Permit Program
Cyprus Golden Visa
Georgia Investor Visas
Greece Golden Visa
Guernsey Investor & Entrepreneur Residency
Ireland Immigrant Investor Program (discontinued)
Italy Investor Visa
Latvia Investor Visa
Luxembourg Investor Visa
Malaysia M2H Visa
Malta Permanent Residence Program
Mauritius Permanent Residency Program
Monaco Carte de Séjour
Netherlands Investor Visa
New Zealand Investor Visa
Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Philippines Special Investor Residence Permit
Portugal Golden Visa
Russia Investor Visa
South Korea Investor Visa
Spain Golden Visa
Taiwan Golden Visa (APRC Plum Blossom Card)
Thailand Elite Residence Program
UAE Golden Visa
UK Investor Visa (discontinued)
United States EB-5
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who can demonstrate income or personal wealth above a certain level, usually requiring that the holder not take up employment locally.
Argentina Rentista and Pensionado Residency
Austria Independent Means Visa
Barbados Welcome Stamp
Gibraltar Category 2 HNWI Residence
Greece FIP Visa
Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS)
Ireland Independent Means (Stamp 0)
Italy Elective Residency Visa
Jersey High Value Residency
Mexico Legal Residency Visa
Nicaragua Pensionado and Rentista Visas
Panama Rentista Retirado Visa
Paraguay Permanent Residency Program
Portugal D7 Visa
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Uruguay Independent Means Visa
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who physically relocate to start and/or run a business. Startup and entrepreneur visas fall under this category.
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