Move to Germany from India
Germany has five main routes for Indian professionals and students, and the right one depends on three things: whether you have a job offer, whether your qualification is recognised, and how much German you speak. This page helps you find your route in a few minutes.
Why Indians are choosing Germany
- You can go without a job offer. The Opportunity Card gives you a year in Germany to find work. Few other major economies offer this.
- Permanent residence comes quickly. EU Blue Card holders can apply after 21 to 27 months. Other skilled workers can apply after three years.
- Your family is welcome. Spouses of Blue Card and skilled worker permit holders can join and work.
- Vocational skills count. Germany hires nurses, electricians, mechanics and technicians, not only graduates.
- The rules are published. Salary thresholds, fund requirements and point tables are set out in law and updated every January. There is no draw and no annual cap on these routes.
Germany is not the easy option, and we will not pretend it is. The language matters, recognition of your qualification takes months, and the job search is yours to run. People who prepare for those three things do well.
The five routes at a glance
| Route | Job offer needed | Who it suits | Key figure for 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opportunity Card | No | Graduates and skilled workers who want to job-hunt in Germany | 6 points, €1,091 a month in funds |
| EU Blue Card | Yes | Graduates with a well-paid offer | Salary of €50,700, or €45,934.20 in shortage fields |
| Skilled worker visa | Yes | Graduates and trained workers with a recognised qualification | Salary must match local pay. €55,770 if you are over 45 |
| Experienced worker visa | Yes | People with two years’ experience whose qualification is not formally recognised | Salary of €45,630 |
| Ausbildung | Training place, or none on the search visa | School leavers and career changers under 35 with German B1 | Paid training for two to three and a half years |
Study is the sixth route. A German degree gives you 18 months after graduation to find work, and it is covered on our Study in Germany page.
Which route fits you?
You have a job offer and a degree. Check the salary. At €50,700 or above, or €45,934.20 in a shortage occupation, you qualify for the EU Blue Card. Below that, the skilled worker visa is your route.
You have a job offer but your degree is not recognised. If you have two years of experience and the salary is at least €45,630, the experienced worker visa lets you skip formal recognition.
You work in IT without a degree. Three years of IT experience can qualify you for a Blue Card or an experienced worker visa without any formal qualification.
You have no job offer. The Opportunity Card is built for you. You need a recognised qualification or 6 points.
You are under 35, finished Class 12 and want a skilled trade. Ausbildung pays you while you train and leads to a German qualification.
You are a nurse, doctor or teacher. These are regulated professions. You need your licence recognised before you can practise, and there are dedicated visas for completing that recognition in Germany.
The three things every route depends on
Recognition of your qualification
Germany compares your Indian qualification with its own. For degrees, you check the anabin database. If your university is rated H+ and your degree is listed as equivalent, a printout is enough. If not, you apply to ZAB for a Statement of Comparability, which costs €208 and takes two to three months.
Start this before anything else. It is the step that delays most applications.
German language
Some visas need no German on paper. In practice, your German decides how many jobs are open to you. A1 is enough for a visa file. B1 is where employers start to take notice. B2 opens most of the job market.
Proof of funds
If you arrive without a job, you must show €1,091 for each month of your stay in 2026, normally in a blocked account. If you arrive with a job, your salary is your proof.
From work permit to permanent residence and citizenship
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Settlement permit on an EU Blue Card | After 27 months, or 21 months with German B1 |
| Settlement permit as a skilled worker | After three years |
| German citizenship | After five years of legal residence, with German B1 |
Germany allows dual citizenship. India does not, so taking a German passport means giving up your Indian one and applying for OCI.
Questions people ask us most
Can I move to Germany without knowing German?
Yes, on paper. The Blue Card and skilled worker visa have no language requirement. Finding a job without German is realistic mainly in IT, engineering and research.
Which is the easiest Germany visa for Indians?
With a job offer above the threshold, the EU Blue Card is the most straightforward. Without an offer, the Opportunity Card is the only option.
How much does it cost to move to Germany from India?
The visa fee is €75, charged as ₹7,600 in India. The larger cost is proof of funds if you go without a job: €13,092 for a year, which stays your money.
Is there an age limit?
There is no upper limit on work visas, but applicants over 45 must earn at least €55,770 or show pension provision. The Ausbildung search visa is for under-35s.
Can my spouse work in Germany?
Yes. Spouses who join Blue Card and skilled worker permit holders can work without restriction.
Not sure which route is yours?
Tell us your qualification, experience and language level. We will tell you which routes are open to you and which one we would choose in your position.