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EU Immigration Portal

Germany - International service provider

Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to come to the EU for short-term business visits or to provide services in the framework of an EU Trade Agreement with a partner country? You can find information below on the conditions, procedures, and your rights.

                                                                       

Conditions

You can find information below on the admission conditions for international service providers covered by Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The overview primarily takes account of the conditions and requirements in the CETA. In other FTAs the definitions, conditions or requirements may be less favourable or certain categories do not even exist. Beside the definitions of the categories of natural persons, other parts of the EU trade agreements and especially the relevant EU schedules of EU and German commitments/reservations (which can usually be found in the annexes of the FTAs) may contain certain additional conditions and/or requirements. The overview also takes account of the admission conditions in German national law if they are more favourable than the commitments in the respective FTAs. In particular, this applies to countries whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November 2018 (e. g. Canada). Please note that the overview does not claim to be exhaustive. The rules contained in the FTAs have to be read together with the relevant German laws, e.g. general visa requirements.

Admission conditions of the following categories of third-country nationals covered by the trade agreements

Business visitors for establishment/investment purposes (BVEPs)

Category of visa, permit or any authorisation related to the entry and temporary stay

  • You do not need a visa if you are a national of a country whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).
  • You need to obtain a short-stay visa (Visa C, for stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period) valid for the Schengen area if you are a national of a country whose nationals are required to be in possession of visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).

Work permit requirements

  • You do not need to apply for a work permit.

Conditions to be met

You participate in meetings or negotiations, create contract proposals, conclude contracts or control the execution of a contract in Germany for an employer with a base abroad or establish, control or manage a part of a company in Germany for an employer with a base abroad.

German national law is more favourable than the admission conditions in FTAs as it does not take account of the position of a business visitor in an enterprise. In FTAs business visitors for investment purposes means natural persons working in a managerial or specialist position who are responsible for setting up an enterprise but who do not engage in direct transactions with the general public and do not receive remuneration from a source located within the territory of the host Party.

The general visa requirements have to be met.

Documentation required

  • Your passport; your work/labour contract with the enterprise sending you to Germany; adequate evidence justifying the purpose of your stay; if there are still doubts about the genuine character of your activity, other adequate evidence may be required (including interviews with you or your employer).

Where and how to file an application

Application fees and indicative processing time

  • The applicable fee for short-stay visa for the Schengen area is 80 euros.

The maximum period of stay under each type of authorisation

  • A short-stay visa for the Schengen area allows you to stay 90 days in Germany, within a 180-day period.

Conditions for any available extensions or renewal

  • Such visas are not renewable for a longer stay to pursue business visitor activities.

Rules regarding accompanying dependents

  • There is no specific process, they have to apply for their own visa and file a visa application with the documents required for the purpose of their stay in Germany.

Available review and/or appeal procedures

If your application for a short-term visa (C-Visa) was rejected, the notification sent to the applicant by the German Mission abroad states not only that the visa application has been unsuccessful, but also gives the grounds on which it was rejected and information on the applicant's right to appeal the decision.

If a visa application is rejected, the applicant has one month to appeal in writing ("remonstrate") to the German Mission abroad. The German Mission abroad will then reconsider the application.

If the German Mission still concludes that the applicant does not meet the conditions for obtaining a visa, it will again set out in detail in writing the reasons why it rejected the application in a Remonstrance Notice.

The applicant may appeal this decision within one month by filing an action with the Administrative Court in Berlin.

The applicant also has the option of appealing to the Court (also within one month) against the initial decision instead of remonstrating to the German Mission.

Relevant laws of general application pertaining to the entry and temporary stay of natural persons

 

Short-term business visitors (STVB)

Visa and work permit requirements and conditions to be met

You are considered a short-term business visitor if:

  • you are not engaged in selling goods or a service to the general public;
  • you are employed by an enterprise other than a non-profit organisation;
  • you do not on your own behalf receive remuneration from a source located within Germany;
  • you are not engaged in the supply of a service in the framework of a contract concluded between an enterprise that has no commercial presence in Germany and a consumer in that territory, exemptions are listed in the relevant FTAs;
  • you carry out one of the following activities (further elements of definition of those activities/category can be found in the relevant FTAs (e.g. Annex 10-D of CETA):

- Meetings and consultations

  • You do not need a visa if you are a national of a country whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).
  • You need to obtain a short-stay visa (Visa C, for stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period) valid for the Schengen area if you are a national of a country whose nationals are required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).

- Research and Design

  • You need a national visa (D-Visa) for the purpose of employment according to § 19c para. 1 German Residence Act in conjunction with § 29 para. 5 German Employment Ordinance. The German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) is involved by the visa section in order to scrutinise whether the employment conditions are not less favourable than those of comparable German employees.

- Marketing research

For participating in meetings and negotiations:

  • You do not need a visa if you are a national of a country whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).
  • You need to obtain a short-stay visa (Visa C, for stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period) valid for the Schengen area if you are a national of a country whose nationals are required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).

For any other activities:

  • You need a national visa (D-Visa) for the purpose of employment according to § 19c para. 1 German Residence Act in conjunction with § 29 para. 5 German Employment Ordinance. The German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) is involved by the visa section in order to scrutinise whether the employment conditions are not less favourable than those of comparable German employees.

- Training seminars

For a stay of no more than 90 days in any 12-month period:

  • You do not need a visa if you are a national of a country whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).
  • You need to obtain a short-stay visa (Visa C, for stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period) valid for the Schengen area if you are a national of a country whose nationals are required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).

For a stay of no more than 90 days in any 6-month period:

  • You need a national visa (D-Visa) for the purpose of employment according to § 19c para. 1 German Residence Act in conjunction with § 29 para. 5 German Employment Ordinance. The German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) is involved by the visa section in order to scrutinise whether the employment conditions are not less favourable than those of comparable German employees.

- Trade fairs and exhibitions

  • You do not need a visa if you are a national of a country whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).
  • You need to obtain a short-stay visa (Visa C, for stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period) valid for the Schengen area if you are a national of a country whose nationals are required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).

- Sales (as representatives of a supplier of services or goods)

  • You do not need a visa if you are a national of a country whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).
  • You need to obtain a short-stay visa (Visa C, for stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period) valid for the Schengen area if you are a national of a country whose nationals are required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).

- Purchasing

  • You do not need a visa if you are a national of a country whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).
  • You need to obtain a short-stay visa (Visa C, for stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period) valid for the Schengen area if you are a national of a country whose nationals are required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).

After-sales or after-lease services (as installers, repair and maintenance personnel, and supervisors)

For a stay of no more than 90 days in any 12-month period:

  • You do not need a visa if you are a national of a country whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above). The employer has to notify the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) of the intended employment in advance.
  • You need to obtain a short-stay visa (Visa C, for stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period) valid for the Schengen area if you are a national of a country whose nationals are required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above). The employer has to notify the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) of the intended employment in advance.

For a stay of no more than 90 days in any 6-month period:

  • You need a national visa (D-Visa) for the purpose of employment according to § 19c para. 1 German Residence Act in conjunction with § 29 para. 5 German Employment Ordinance. The German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) is involved by the visa section in order to scrutinise whether the employment conditions are not less favourable than those of comparable German employees.

- Commercial transactions

  • You do not need a visa if you are a national of a country whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).
  • You need to obtain a short-stay visa (Visa C, for stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period) valid for the Schengen area if you are a national of a country whose nationals are required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).

- Tourism personnel (attending or participating in conventions or accompanying a tour that has begun in the territory of the other Party)

For a stay of no more than 90 days in any 12-month period:

  • You do not need a visa if you are a national of a country whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).
  • You need to obtain a short-stay visa (Visa C, for stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period) valid for the Schengen area if you are a national of a country whose nationals are required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).

For a stay of no more than 90 days in any 6-month period:

  • You need a national visa (D-Visa) for the purpose of employment according to § 19c para. 1 German Residence Act in conjunction with § 29 para. 5 German Employment Ordinance. The German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) is involved by the visa section in order to scrutinise whether the employment conditions are not less favourable than those of comparable German employees.

- Translation and interpretation

For a stay of no more than 90 days in any 12-month period:

  • You do not need a visa if you are a national of a country whose nationals are exempt from the requirement to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).
  • You need to obtain a short-stay visa (Visa C, for stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period) valid for the Schengen area if you are a national of a country whose nationals are required to be in possession of a visa when crossing the external borders of the EU Member States for stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period according to regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (see above).

For a stay of no more than 90 days in any 6-month period:

  • You need a national visa (D-Visa) for the purpose of employment according to § 19c para. 1 German Residence Act in conjunction with § 29 para. 5 German Employment Ordinance. The German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) is involved by the visa section in order to scrutinise whether the employment conditions are not less favourable than those of comparable German employees.

Documentation required

  • Your passport; your work/labour contract with the enterprise sending you to Germany; adequate evidence justifying the purpose of your stay (e.g. letter of invitation for training seminar); if there are still doubts about the genuine character of your activity, other adequate evidence may be required (including interviews with you or your employer).

Where and how to file an application

Application fees and indicative processing time

  • The applicable fee for short-stay visa for the Schengen area is 80 euros, for a national visa 75 euros.

The maximum period of stay under each type of authorisation

  • A short-stay visa for the Schengen area allows you to stay 90 days in Germany, within a 180-day period. National visas for the purpose of employment - if required - will be granted for the period necessary to perform the activity. In terms of short-term business visitors according to FTAs the maximum duration of stay is 90 days in any 6-month or 12-month period depending on the respective FTA.

Conditions for any available extensions or renewal

  • Such visas are not renewable for a longer stay to pursue business visitor activities;

Rules regarding accompanying dependents

  • There is no specific process, they have to apply for their own visa and file a visa application with the documents required for the purpose of their stay in France.

Available review and/or appeal procedures

If your application for a short-term visa (C-Visa) was rejected, the notification sent to the applicant by the German Mission abroad states not only that the visa application has been unsuccessful, but also gives the grounds on which it was rejected and information on the applicant's right to appeal the decision.

If a visa application is rejected, the applicant has one month to appeal in writing ("remonstrate") to the German Mission abroad. The German Mission abroad will then reconsider the application.

If the German Mission still concludes that the applicant does not meet the conditions for obtaining a visa, it will again set out in detail in writing the reasons why it rejected the application in a Remonstrance Notice.

The applicant may appeal this decision within one month by filing an action with the Administrative Court in Berlin.

The applicant also has the option of appealing to the Court (also within one month) against the initial decision instead of remonstrating to the German Mission.

If your application for a national visa (D-Visa) was rejected, the applicant has one year to appeal in writing (“remonstrate”) to the German Mission abroad. The German Mission abroad will then reconsider the application.

If the German Mission still concludes that the applicant does not meet the conditions for obtaining a visa, it will again set out in detail in writing the reasons why it rejected the application in a Remonstrance Notice.

The applicant may appeal this decision within one month by filing an action with the Administrative Court in Berlin.

The applicant also has the option of appealing to the Court (also within one month) against the initial decision instead of remonstrating to the German Mission.

If your application for a national visa (D-Visa) was rejected, the applicant has one year to appeal in writing (“remonstrate”) to the German Mission abroad. The German Mission abroad will then reconsider the application.

If the German Mission still concludes that the applicant does not meet the conditions for obtaining a visa, it will again set out in detail in writing the reasons why it rejected the application in a Remonstrance Notice.

The applicant may appeal this decision within one month by filing an action with the Administrative Court in Berlin.

The applicant also has the option of appealing to the Court (also within one year if not mentioned otherwise in the decision) against the initial decision instead of remonstrating to the German Mission.

Relevant laws of general application pertaining to the entry and temporary stay of natural persons

 

Contractual service suppliers (CSSs)

Please note that further elements of definition of the activities/category and conditions/requirements can be found in the respective FTAs. The supply of services in Germany by contractual services suppliers is only allowed for sectors for which Germany undertook commitments in the respective FTAs and subject to the relevant limitations listed therein. An overview of those sectors can be found on the following link (page 170): Fachliche Weisungen - Aufenthaltsgesetz und Beschäftigungsverordnung (arbeitsagentur.de).

Category of visa, permit or any authorisation related to the entry and temporary stay

  • You need to obtain a national visa for the purpose of employment (D-Visa). The German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) is involved by the visa section in order to scrutinise whether the employment conditions are not less favourable than those of comparable German employees.

Work permit requirements

  • You do not need to apply for a work permit.

Conditions to be met

  • You are employed by an enterprise that has no establishment in Germany and that has concluded a contract (other than through an agency defined by CPC 872) to supply a service to a consumer in Germany;
  • you are posted by your employer in order to fulfil the contract to supply a service;
  • the service is supplied in a sector for which Germany undertook commitments in the respective FTAs (see general remarks above);
  • you have offered such services as an employee of your employer for a period of no less than one year immediately preceding the date of your application for entry and temporary stay;
  • you possess, on that date, at least three years of professional experience in the relevant activity (obtained after the age of 18), a university degree or a qualification demonstrating knowledge of an equivalent level and the professional qualifications legally required to exercise that activity in Germany;
  • you do not receive remuneration from a source located within Germany, but the remuneration paid by your employer and other employment conditions must be not less favourable than those of comparable German employees; this is scrutinised by the Ferderal Employment Agency which is involved internally by the competent visa section.
  • The maximum length of stay depends on the commitments in the respective FTAs. In case of the CETA, the maximum length of stay of contractual services supplier is for a cumulative period of not more than 12 months in any 24-month period or for the duration of the contract, whichever is less.
  • The general visa requirements have to be met.

Documentation required

  • Your documents must prove that you meet the above-mentioned conditions for obtaining a visa (e.g. your work/labour contract with the enterprise sending you to Germany, your posting certificate, the contract of your employer with a final consumer in Germany, your qualification);
  • adequate evidence justifying the purpose of your stay (e.g. letter of invitation for training seminar); if there are still doubts about the genuine character of your activity, other adequate evidence may be required (including interviews with you or your employer).

Where and how to file an application

Application fees and indicative processing time

  • The applicable fee for a national visa is 75 euros.

The maximum period of stay under each type of authorisation

  • The maximum length of stay depends on the commitments in the respective FTAs. In case of the CETA, the maximum length of stay of contractual services supplier is for a cumulative period of not more than 12 months in any 24-month period or for the duration of the contract, whichever is less.

Conditions for any available extensions or renewal

  • Visa can be extended if the maximum period of stay according to the respective FTA is not yet reached. In case of an extension, please contact the competent Aliens Authority in Germany.

Rules regarding accompanying dependents

  • There is no specific process, you have to apply for your own visa and file a visa application with the documents required for the purpose of their stay in Germany.

Available review and/or appeal procedures

If your application for a national visa (D-Visa) was rejected, the applicant has one year to appeal in writing (“remonstrate”) to the German Mission abroad. The German Mission abroad will then reconsider the application.

If the German Mission still concludes that the applicant does not meet the conditions for obtaining a visa, it will again set out in detail in writing the reasons why it rejected the application in a Remonstrance Notice.

The applicant may appeal this decision within one month by filing an action with the Administrative Court in Berlin.

The applicant also has the option of appealing to the Court (also within one year if not mentioned otherwise in the decision) against the initial decision instead of remonstrating to the German Mission.

Relevant laws of general application pertaining to the entry and temporary stay of natural persons

 

Independent professionals (IPs)

Please note that further elements of definition of the activities/category and conditions/requirements can be found in the respective FTAs. The supply of services in Germany by independent professionals is only allowed for sectors for which Germany undertook commitments in the respective FTAs and subject to the relevant limitations listed therein. An overview of those sectors can be found on the following link (page 170): Fachliche Weisungen - Aufenthaltsgesetz und Beschäftigungsverordnung (arbeitsagentur.de).

Category of visa, permit or any authorisation related to the entry and temporary stay

  • You need to obtain a national visa (D-Visa) for the purpose of self-employment according to § 21 para. 2 German Residence Act. The German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) is not involved.

Work permit requirements

  • You do not need to apply for a work permit.

Conditions to be met

  • the activity is supplied in a sector for which Germany undertook commitments in the respective FTAs (see general remarks above);
  • you must be engaged in the supply of a service on a temporary basis as a self-employed person established in your country and must have obtained a service contract for a period not exceeding twelve months;
  • you possess at the date of submission of an application for entry into Germany, at least six years professional experience in the sector of activity which is the subject of the contract, a university degree or a qualification demonstrating knowledge of an equivalent level and the professional qualifications legally required to exercise that activity in Germany;
  • the maximum length of stay depends on the commitments in the respective FTAs. In case of the CETA, the maximum length of stay of independent professionals is for a cumulative period of not more than 12 months in any 24-month period or for the duration of the contract, whichever is less.
  • The general visa requirements have to be met.

Documentation required

  • Your documents must prove that you meet the above-mentioned conditions for obtaining a visa (e.g. your service contract with a consumer in Germany, your qualification).

Where and how to file an application

Application fees and indicative processing time

  • The applicable fee for a national visa is 75 euros.

The maximum period of stay under each type of authorisation

  • The maximum length of stay depends on the commitments in the respective FTAs. In case of the CETA, the maximum length of stay of independent professionals is for a cumulative period of not more than 12 months in any 24-month period or for the duration of the contract, whichever is less.

Conditions for any available extensions or renewal

  • Visa can be extended if the maximum period of stay according to the respective FTA is not yet reached. In case of an extension, please contact the competent Aliens Authority in Germany.

Rules regarding accompanying dependents

  • There is no specific process, you have to apply for your own visa and file a visa application with the documents required for the purpose of their stay in Germany.

Available review and/or appeal procedures

If your application for a national visa (D-Visa) was rejected, the applicant has one year to appeal in writing (“remonstrate”) to the German Mission abroad. The German Mission abroad will then reconsider the application.

If the German Mission still concludes that the applicant does not meet the conditions for obtaining a visa, it will again set out in detail in writing the reasons why it rejected the application in a Remonstrance Notice.

The applicant may appeal this decision within one month by filing an action with the Administrative Court in Berlin.

The applicant also has the option of appealing to the Court (also within one year if not mentioned otherwise in the decision) against the initial decision instead of remonstrating to the German Mission.

Relevant laws of general application pertaining to the entry and temporary stay of natural persons

 

Investors

Category of visa, permit or any authorisation related to the entry and temporary stay

  • - For employed persons, a national visa for the purpose of employment (D-Visa) is required. For self-employed persons, a national visa for the purpose of self-employment (D-Visa) is required.

Work permit requirements

  • You do not need to apply for a work permit.

Conditions to be met

According to the CETA, investors means natural persons who establish, develop, or administer the operation of an investment in a capacity that is supervisory or executive, and to which those persons or the enterprise employing those persons have committed, or are in the process of committing, a substantial amount of capital.

The general visa requirements have to be met.

Documentation required

  • Your passport; your work/labour contract; adequate evidence justifying the purpose of your stay; if there are still doubts about the genuine character of your activity, other adequate evidence may be required (including interviews with you or your employer).

Where and how to file an application

Application fees and indicative processing time

  • The applicable fee for short-stay visa for the Schengen area is 80 euros, for a national visa 75 euros.

The maximum period of stay under each type of authorisation

  • The maximum length of stay for investors is one year.

Conditions for any available extensions or renewal

  • Such visas are not renewable for activities of investors.

Rules regarding accompanying dependents

  • There is no specific process, they have to apply for their own visa and file a visa application with the documents required for the purpose of their stay in Germany.

Available review and/or appeal procedures

If your application for a national visa (D-Visa) was rejected, the applicant has one year to appeal in writing (“remonstrate”) to the German Mission abroad. The German Mission abroad will then reconsider the application.

If the German Mission still concludes that the applicant does not meet the conditions for obtaining a visa, it will again set out in detail in writing the reasons why it rejected the application in a Remonstrance Notice.

The applicant may appeal this decision within one month by filing an action with the Administrative Court in Berlin.

The applicant also has the option of appealing to the Court (also within one year if not mentioned otherwise in the decision) against the initial decision instead of remonstrating to the German Mission.

Relevant laws of general application pertaining to the entry and temporary stay of natural persons