Germany has confirmed that citizens of six countries—Andorra, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Monaco, and San Marino—can enter the country without a visa and apply for a residence permit after arrival, but only if they do not intend to take up employment. The exemption is strictly for non-work purposes such as family reunification, retirement, or other non-employment reasons. Anyone from these countries who plans to work must obtain a visa before travelling to Germany, just like nationals from other countries.
Germany's Official Guidance on Long-Stay Visas
According to the federal government's official guidance on long-stay visas, nationals from the six listed countries are eligible to enter Germany and submit their residence permit applications once they are already in the country. This arrangement sets them apart from most nationalities, who are required to secure the appropriate visa before crossing the German border.
The policy reflects bilateral agreements and existing diplomatic arrangements between Germany and these specific nations. Notably, none of the six countries listed is in Africa, meaning the continent's citizens are not covered by this provision and must continue to apply for the relevant visa before travel.
What This Means for Eligible Nationals
For eligible nationals, the ability to arrive in Germany and handle the residence permit process locally offers a degree of flexibility that most other nationalities do not enjoy. Rather than navigating consular appointments and lengthy pre-departure paperwork, citizens of these six countries can settle in first and then address their immigration status through German authorities.
The visa-free entry benefit is largely aimed at people relocating for reasons such as family reunification, retirement, or other non-employment purposes. Those moving for job opportunities cannot rely on this arrangement and must go through the standard visa application process from their home country before arrival.
Related Germany Visa Policies
In a similar report, Legit.ng published that Germany announced eight countries whose citizens can enter without a visa and apply after their arrival. Additionally, Germany released a list of countries whose citizens are not required to obtain a visa before travelling to Germany to study. The list includes citizens from countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Israel, and the Republic of Korea.
