Germany
Germany, considered one of Europe’s top destinations for residency, offers its residents and citizens a high standard of living and a strong and stable economy.
Foreign nationals can obtain German permanent residency and potentially a path to citizenship through programs such as the EU Blue Card, designed to attract highly skilled individuals and professionals who can contribute to the German economy.
Successful residency applicants can obtain citizenship after habitual and legal residency in Germany for at least eight years. This period can be reduced to seven years after the successful completion of an integration course, even though Germany does not have a formal Citizenship by Investment program.
Steps and Timeline for Acquiring German Residency and ultimately Citizenship through Investment:
Residency:
- Eligibility:
- Application process:
- Issuance:
- Benefits:
- Path to Permanent Residence:
- Eligibility: To be eligible for an EU Blue Card, the applicant must have a higher education degree (bachelor’s degree or higher) or at least five years of professional experience in a relevant field, a job offer from a company in the EU with a gross salary that is above a certain minimum threshold for a minimum of one year, currently at least 56,400 euros. The salary requirement may change depending on the profession.
- Application process: Non-EU citizens must apply for a work visa in the country where they will be employed and provide proof of their qualifications and work experience, followed by an application for an EU Blue Card in the country where they will be working after issuance of their work visa by providing proof of their qualifications, work experience, and job offer or work contract and undergoing a medical examination if required.
- Issuance: The immigration authority will issue an EU Blue Card, generally valid for four years.
- Benefits: Holders of the EU Blue Card are entitled to reside and work in any EU country and have the right to bring family members to live with them with access to social security and retirement programs.
- Path to Permanent Residence: The EU Blue Card holders can apply for permanent residence in the EU country where they work and are eligible to apply for it after usually around five years.
Citizenship Procedures:
- Obtain a residence permit:
- Establish a business:
- Live and work in Germany
- Demonstrate proficiency:
- Apply for naturalization:
- Obtain a residence permit in Germany, which requires proof of financial stability, a clean criminal record, and other additional documents depending on the type of your residence permit.
- Get residency by establishing a business or investing in an existing one in Germany.
- Live and work in Germany for at least six years while holding a residence permit, with shorter durations depending on specific circumstances like marriage and completing integration courses.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the German language and pass an integration test.
- Apply for naturalization with the German government and provide proof of your integration into German society, including paying taxes and contributing to social security.
Timeframe:
The entire process of obtaining German citizenship through investment can take up to 10 years, starting from the initial residency permit application and ending with the final naturalization decision. It is important to note that the specific timeframe can vary depending on individual circumstances and the speed at which the applicant can fulfill all requirements.