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Germany · Residency route
Live in Germany and run your own business there: no fixed investment amount, a decision based on your business plan, and settlement possible after three years.
Last updated: 2026-10-27
Programme overviewنظرة عامة
Advising UAE residents on residency abroad from our Dubai office.
Overview
People often search for a "Germany investor visa". In law it is the residence permit for self-employment under Section 21 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). It is for founders and business owners who will live in Germany and actively run a business there. Germany has no golden visa: buying property, funds or bonds does not lead to residence.
There is no fixed investment amount. What the authorities test is whether your business has an economic interest or a regional need, whether it is expected to have a positive effect on the economy, and whether its financing is secured. A strong, realistic business plan is the heart of the application.
The three tests
| Test | What the authorities look at |
|---|---|
| Economic interest or regional need | Is there demand for this business in Germany, or in the region where you will set up? |
| Positive effect on the economy | Jobs and training places, investment, innovation, research, new services or exports |
| Secured financing | Your own capital or a loan commitment, enough for the plan you present |
The authorities also weigh your business and professional experience. They can ask the Chamber of Commerce (IHK), trade bodies and licensing authorities for an opinion before they decide.
Freelancers
Freelancers (for example consultants, IT freelancers, designers or doctors in private practice) can apply under Section 21(5). The economic-interest test does not apply to them, but any required professional licence, secured financing and, over 45, provision for old age still do.
What you receive
| Germany self-employment permit | |
|---|---|
| Investment amount | No fixed minimum |
| Permit length | Up to 3 years, renewable |
| Settlement permit | After 3 years for a successful business |
| Spouse | Can join without German and can work |
| Children | Minor children can join |
| Visa fee | €75 (children €37.50) |
| Processing in the UAE | Up to 12 weeks |
| Citizenship | After 5 years, with German at B1 |
Over 45: provision for old age
Applicants over 45 must show adequate provision for old age, either through a future pension or through assets. The German missions publish the current figures; we check them at the start of your file.
Where to apply from the UAE
UAE residents apply at the German Consulate General in Dubai, which handles visas for the whole country; the Embassy in Abu Dhabi no longer does visa work. To apply as a UAE resident, your Emirates ID must have been issued at least six months before the application. The national visa fee is €75, paid in dirhams, and processing can take up to 12 weeks. After arrival, you register your address within two weeks and collect the residence permit from the local foreigners authority.
Settlement and citizenship
After three years, a business owner can apply for a settlement permit (permanent residence) if the business is successful, is expected to keep developing, and the family's living costs are covered by its income. German citizenship is possible after five years of residence with German at B1; the three-year fast track was abolished on 30 October 2025.
Germany has allowed dual citizenship since 27 June 2024, but India does not: taking German citizenship would end Indian citizenship under Section 9 of the Citizenship Act 1955. German residence and settlement do not.
With our Berlin partner, Nexus-Europe GmbH
This route is delivered with our partner Nexus-Europe GmbH, a Berlin firm that works on business development and investment in Germany. Their team of business consultants, economists and lawyers works on the German side: the business concept and financing plan in the form German authorities expect, company formation and the questions from authorities. XIPHIAS works on your side from Dubai: assessing your profile, preparing your personal and family documents, and the visa application.
Start with a Business Immigration Audit
Nexus's Business Immigration Audit is a 50-minute online session, prepared in advance by their expert. It explains how German immigration authorities decide, assesses your chances through business immigration and compares your options, suggests the legal form and structure, and gives a step-by-step roadmap that balances the company and the residence application. XIPHIAS clients get a partner discount on the audit. Ask us for your code and we will send it to you with its conditions.
Talk to our Germany residency consultants in Dubai
XIPHIAS Immigration has advised families and businesses since 2009, and our Dubai team works with UAE residents. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022. Our immigration consultants in Dubai will take you through the requirements, costs and timeline for your specific case.
- Book a consultation
- All Germany routes
- Verify an immigration consultant
- Second passport for UAE residents
Sources
- Residence Act (AufenthG), section 21 — self-employment
- Federal Foreign Office — FAQ: starting your own business in Germany
- Make it in Germany — visa for self-employment
- German Missions in the UAE — visa and entry
- German Missions in the UAE — national visa for self-employment
- Nationality Act (StAG), section 10 — naturalisation
- Federal Foreign Office — dual citizenship since 27 June 2024
What you getالمزايا
Residence permit for up to three years, renewable while the business runs.
Settlement permit after three years if the business is successful and your family's living costs are covered.
No fixed investment amount: the old €250,000 guideline was removed in 2012.
Your spouse can join without German and can work; minor children can join too.
Live in Germany with visa-free travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180.
Years in Germany count towards citizenship, which is possible after five years with German at B1.
Investment & costsالتكاليف
Qualifying investment
National (D) visa fee
At the visa application · €37.50 for children under 18. Paid in local currency at the German mission.
Figures are indicative and exclusive of professional fees. Your advisor confirms an exact, written cost breakdown for your family size.
Eligibilityالأهلية
Requirements
A business with an economic interest or a regional need in Germany.
An expected positive effect on the German economy (for example jobs, training, innovation or investment).
Financing secured through your own capital or a loan commitment.
A detailed business plan with financing plan, capital needs and a three-year revenue forecast.
Living costs covered for the first year, and health insurance.
Over 45: adequate provision for old age (a pension or assets).
Any professional licence your business needs.
Who cannot apply
Passive investment only, such as buying property or fund units: Germany has no golden visa.
A business plan with no clear benefit to the German economy.
Financing that is not secured or cannot be evidenced.
Over 45 without adequate provision for old age.
The processكيف نعمل
Assess the case
Check the business idea, your experience, financing, age and family against the Section 21 test.
Build the business plan
Concept, market, staffing, financing plan, capital needs and a three-year revenue forecast.
Form the company
Set up a GmbH or UG in Germany if the plan needs one, and open the business bank account.
Apply for the national visa
File at the Consulate General in Dubai, which handles visas for UAE residents. Decisions can take up to 12 weeks.
Arrive and register
Register your address within two weeks and collect the residence permit from the foreigners authority.
Bring the family
Your spouse (no German needed) and minor children apply to join you.
Run, renew and settle
Renew while the business runs; apply for a settlement permit after three years if it is successful.
Document checklistالوثائق
Identity
Civil status documents for family members, with apostille or legalisation where required.
- ✦Valid passport and copies
- ✦Biometric passport photographs
- ✦National visa application form
The business
This is what the decision turns on. German authorities may ask the Chamber of Commerce and other bodies for an opinion.
- ✦Business plan: concept, market and competitors, marketing, staff and innovation
- ✦Financing plan, capital requirements and a three-year revenue forecast
- ✦Company documents or draft articles, if a German company is being formed
- ✦CV showing your business and professional experience
Funds and insurance
- ✦Proof of the capital for the business (own funds or loan commitment)
- ✦Proof that living costs are covered for one year
- ✦Health insurance
- ✦Over 45: evidence of a pension or assets for old age
Your XIPHIAS advisor prepares a personalised document list at onboarding. The checklist above is indicative and may vary by family size.
Family scopeالأسرة
All eligible dependants can be included in one application or added after approval.
Age limits, dependency definitions, and addition fees vary by jurisdiction. Your advisor confirms exact rules at onboarding.
Risk notes
There is no guaranteed outcome: the permit depends on the authorities' view of your business plan, and they can consult the Chamber of Commerce and trade bodies.
Forming a German company does not by itself give a residence permit.
Applicants over 45 must show provision for old age; check the current figures before you apply.
Taking German citizenship ends Indian citizenship.
Compliance
The business must run as presented; renewal and settlement depend on its results.
Business plans, translations, apostilles and company formation are quoted per file.
Questionsأسئلة شائعة
This route, answered.
No. Germany does not grant residence for buying property, funds or bonds. The investor route is the residence permit for self-employment under Section 21 of the Residence Act, which is for people who will actively run a business in Germany.
Start the Germany route.
A senior advisor will confirm the exact costs, timeline and documents for your case — privately, and entirely off the record.