Rechtsanwältin
Immigration to Germany for British Citizens
British citizens retain privileged access to Germany despite Brexit. Although UK nationals are now treated as third-country nationals in residence law, the United Kingdom is written into § 41 of the Residence Ordinance, so British citizens can still enter Germany without a visa and apply for their residence permit after arrival. This page outlines the main pathways as they stand after Brexit.
Visa-free entry and applying from within Germany (§ 41 AufenthV)
The United Kingdom is one of eight “privileged” nations listed in § 41 of the Residence Ordinance (Aufenthaltsverordnung – AufenthV), alongside Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States. In practice this means:
- You may enter Germany on your British passport alone, without applying for a visa at a German mission beforehand.
- If you intend to stay longer than 90 days or to take up work, you apply for your residence permit directly at the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) — and you must do so within 90 days of entering Germany.
- If you were already living in Germany before the end of the Brexit transition period (31 December 2020), separate and more favourable rules under the Withdrawal Agreement may apply to you — see our Brexit Withdrawal Agreement page.
Is there a Youth Mobility or Working Holiday scheme?
Not at present. Germany has no bilateral Working Holiday agreement with the United Kingdom. A UK–EU “youth mobility” scheme has been under negotiation since 2025, but as of 2026 it has not been agreed in final form or brought into force, and no start date has been set. For now, young British citizens use the standard routes below rather than a youth-mobility visa. This is an area to watch, as it may change.
Working and living in Germany
The full range of German work and residence options is open to British citizens:
- EU Blue Card (§ 18g AufenthG) for university-qualified professionals.
- Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, § 20a AufenthG) to move to Germany and look for skilled work via a points system (usually applied for as a visa before entering Germany).
- Skilled-worker permits for university graduates (§ 18b) and vocationally qualified professionals (§ 18a).
- Job-seeker visa (§ 20 AufenthG), self-employment and freelance permits (§ 21), and student and language-course permits (§§ 16b, 16f).
Family, permanent residence and citizenship
British citizens can bring family members through family reunification, progress to permanent residence (the settlement permit, § 9 AufenthG, or EU long-term residence, § 9a) and — once the requirements are met — apply for German citizenship, which since the 2024 reform generally no longer requires giving up British citizenship. Descendants of people persecuted under the National Socialist regime may also qualify for restoration of German citizenship under Article 116(2) of the Basic Law and § 15 StAG.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a visa after Brexit?
No. The UK is a privileged country under § 41 AufenthV, so British citizens can enter visa-free and apply for the residence permit in Germany within 90 days of arrival. You should not start work until the permit has been issued; if you need to work immediately, a prior work visa may be advisable.
Is there a working holiday visa for British citizens?
Not currently. A UK–EU youth mobility scheme has been discussed but is not yet in force. British citizens use the skilled-worker, EU Blue Card, Opportunity Card and other routes instead.
I lived in Germany before Brexit — do different rules apply?
Possibly. Those who were lawfully resident before 31 December 2020 are generally covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, which offers stronger protections. See our Brexit Withdrawal Agreement page or get in touch.