EU citizens do not need a visa to enter Germany or a residence permit to stay in Germany. Nationals of the EEA states—Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein—are treated as equivalent to EU citizens under the provisions of the Act on the General Freedom of Movement of Union Citizens (Freedom of Movement Act/EU—FreizügG/EU) are treated as EU citizens, without, however, acquiring the status of an EU citizen or a family member of an EU citizen.

EU citizens who identify themselves with a valid passport or national ID card enjoy freedom of movement and thus also the right to stay for more than three months as employees, to seek employment or pursue vocational training, as established self-employed persons, as providers and recipients of services, and as persons with permanent residence status. Non-working EU citizens are entitled to freedom of movement if they have adequate health insurance coverage and sufficient means of support.

The issuance of a certificate confirming the right to freedom of movement is no longer required by law.

EU citizens who have been lawfully and continuously residing in Germany for five years have the right to entry and residence (permanent residence right), regardless of whether they continue to meet the requirements for freedom of movement, see Section 4a of the Freedom of Movement Act (FreizügG/EU). Upon application, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will issue a certificate confirming their right of permanent residence.

Family members (spouses or registered partners, children up to age 21, and, under certain conditions, other family members) of an EU citizen entitled to freedom of movement are also entitled to freedom of movement if they accompany that person or join them later. However, family members entitled to freedom of movement who are not EU citizens (so-called third-country nationals) generally require an entry visa (see “Related Topics” – “National Visa”). After entry, the Foreigners’ Registration Office will, ex officio, issue them a residence card for family members of EU citizens —valid for five years—within six months of their providing the necessary information. The family member will receive a certificate confirming that the required information has been provided without delay. Third-country nationals who are family members of EU citizens are entitled to permanent residence if the EU citizen is entitled to permanent residence and they have resided legally and continuously with him or her in Germany for five years. The Foreigners’ Registration Office will issue them a permanent residence card within six months of submitting the application.

Note: An absence of more than two consecutive years for a reason that is, by its nature, not merely temporary will result in the loss of the right of permanent residence.

For further information on the right of permanent residence and certificates regarding the right of permanent residence, as well as residence cards and the right of residence for family members (for example, in the event of divorce from an EU citizen with the right to free movement, or the citizen’s relocation or death), please contact the Foreigners’ Registration Office responsible for your place of residence on a case-by-case basis.