Discover Germany What is the secret behind Germany's federalism, free-thinking culture and strong economy? Here you can read more on what the Federal Republic of Germany is all about! Why Germany?! German states Economy Politics, democracy, freedom Qualified professionals Immigration Employment & earnings Education German society

Preparation and consultation Good preparation is the be-all and end-all, if you want your business plans to become successful. Here, you will learn what types of new businesses there are and who can advise and support you. Advisory services Types of new businesses The business plan Financing & funding programmes

Setting up a business How do I start my own company in Germany? Here you can find information and help that will facilitate the realization of your business plans. 5 reasons Visa for a business start-up Professional requirements for founding Preparation and consultation 5 steps for starting a business

Recognition Did you already graduate from university or completed vocational training? Find out here if you must have your qualifications recognised in Germany. Who needs recognition? Recognition procedure Evaluation of foreign academic degrees State recognition in the country of training

Visa for a business start-up Would you like to bringe your business idea about in Germany? Then you might need a visa to realise your plan. Read more about the requirements and options here. Do I need a visa? Visa for self-employed business Visa for freelance business

Working environment Are you curious about the world of work in Germany? Learn more about employment contracts, periods of notice, holidays or income taxes. Work contract Salary, taxes & social security

Research Would you like to do research in Germany? Here you will find out how to start your career in research in Germany in five steps. Working in Germany as a researcher The Federal Republic of Germany is one of the most attractive countries in the world for researchers. With the freedom of science guaranteed by the constitution, excellent research infrastructures, good working conditions and career prospects, Germany offers you many opportunities to advance your career in science or in the economic sector. Germany also aims to offer prospects to scientists who do not have the possibility to work freely in their home country. Employment at a university or a non-academic research institution Of course, you can also apply for a job position at a German higher education or non-academic research institution. Many universities, as well as universities of applied sciences, are looking for international recruits. You can also combine a job as a research assistant with a doctoral thesis. Non-academic research institutions often have an international focus and offer both jobs and scholarships. Guest lectureship at a university As a guest lecturer, you can carry out teaching and research activities at German higher education institutions for a limited period of time. A guest lectureship has advantages for everyone: the students benefit from your expertise and intercultural perspective, while you, in turn, gain useful experience at a German university as well as professional and

Information for EU citizens If you are a citizen of an EU Member State, you can enter Germany without a visa, thanks to the freedom of movement. Find out here what you need to have to consider nonetheless. On this page On this page Entry and residence: this applies to EU citizens Access to the labour market and job search in Germany Requirements and funding for academic studies in Germany Entry and residence: this applies to EU citizens Are you a citizen of an EU member state planning to seek employment, study or complete vocational training in Germany? Thanks to the freedom of movement , you can travel to Germany without a visa or a residence permit and stay here for a period of three months. The only documents you will need for entering the country are either a valid passport or an ID card. There are no restrictions regarding access to employment and self-employment in Germany for you or your family. The same applies if you are a citizen of Switzerland or the European Economic Area – i.e. Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland. Right to permanent residency As an EU citizen, you automatically receive the right to permanent residence in another EU country after an uninterrupted legal residence of at least 5 years in that country. You can have this confirmed by requesting the issuance of a permanent residence card. This card can be useful when dealing with the authorities. Additional information on the subject of “permanent residence for EU nationals” can be found here (External

Academic qualifications Did you successfully graduate from university abroad? Find out whether your academic degree corresponds with the German standards. Do I have to have my foreign academic degree recognised? If you have a foreign academic degree and wish to work in a regulated profession (e.g. as a doctor or lawyer) in Germany, the recognition of your foreign academic degree is obligatory. In our sections “ Who needs recognition? ” and “ Recognition procedure ”, you will find detailed information on this matter. For non- regulated professions , such as computer specialist or mathematician, you do not need the recognition to work in Germany. However, if you are entering the country from a non-EU country and wish to apply for the EU Blue Card or the work visa for qualified professionals , you must provide proof of your foreign academic degree being comparable to a German one. To provide this evidence, you have the following options: anabin: proof of comparability via the online database With the information from the anabin database, you can prove that your foreign academic degree is comparable to a German degree. It is made up of two important entries: University : your university should be indicated as “H+” in anabin. This means that the university is recognised in Germany. If the university is evaluated as “H+/-”, the academic degree must additionally be indicated with the university. Academic degree: in addition, the degree itself must be evaluated as entspricht or gleichwertig

State recognition in the country of training For some residence titles, your qualifications must be state-recognized in the country of origin. Learn what types of evidence are possible down below. For some residence titles, like the visa for a recognition partnership , the visa for professionally experienced workers or the opportunity card “points system” option , it is required to provide evidence that the foreign qualification is recognised by the state in the country in which it was obtained . Depending on the type of qualification, the following options of providing evidence are available to you: Digital Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification (DAB) The Digital Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification (DAB) confirms that your professional qualification fulfils the following requirements: Your vocational training entails a full-time training period of at least two continuous years. You completed the vocational training successfully. Your professional qualification is recognised by the state in the country of training. The DAB is issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) . DAB is not a recognition procedure The Digital Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) is not to be confused with a recognition procedure. The Digital Statement on a Foreign Vocational Qualification solely serves as evidence by residence law for whether your foreign professional qualification is recognised by the state