Residence Title Checker
Which residence title do I need to work in Germany? Find your route in 4 steps.
Orientation, not legal advice. The immigration office decides.
Which country are you from?
Your citizenship determines which residence titles are open to you at all.
optionalPurpose: this answer decides which residence titles come into question. It is used only in your browser for this result and is neither stored nor sent.
Prefer not to say: view an overview without choosing a countryHow the Residence Permit Checker works
The checker guides you through your situation in four short steps: country of origin, qualification level, purpose of your stay (working, job seeking, training, studying, recognition, or family reunification), and whether you already have a concrete job offer. Based on these four answers, it assigns you to a likely Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) route, for example Blaue Karte EU, a skilled-worker residence permit under § 18a or § 18b, Chancenkarte, or a residence permit for job seeking. For each route the result shows which requirements typically must be met, for example a recognized qualification, a certain salary level, or sufficient German language skills.
The checker works without AI and without a language model: the assignment is based on a fixed, verifiable data structure oriented on the Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (Skilled Immigration Act). This makes the result traceable and stable, because the same answers always lead to the same classification, but it does not replace individual legal advice from an Ausländerbehörde (immigration office), a specialized lawyer, or a recognized counseling service.
Every result links to official sources such as the BAMF, so you can verify the next step directly with the responsible authority instead of relying solely on an automated assessment. Use the checker as a first overview before arranging an appointment with the Ausländerbehörde or a counseling service, so you go into the conversation with a clear idea of your likely route.
The main residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) routes at a glance
EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU)
§ 18g AufenthGFor university graduates with a concrete job offer starting at approx. €50,700 gross annual salary (2026, regular occupations) or approx. €45,934 (shortage occupations like IT, STEM, medicine, education).
- German-recognised university degree or foreign degree comparable to a German one
- Concrete job offer matching the qualification
- Minimum salary (2026): approx. €50,700/year regular; approx. €45,934 shortage
- Health insurance
Opportunity Card (points system) (Chancenkarte (Punktesystem))
§ 20a AufenthGSince 01.06.2024: entry for job search with points system (language, age, experience, German ties). At least 6 points + basic requirements.
- Basic requirement: recognised vocational qualification OR partially recognised OR foreign university degree
- German A1 OR English B2
- At least 6 points in the points system (see make-it-in-germany.com/en/opportunity-card)
- Proof of livelihood (~€1,091/month for the duration of stay)
Western Balkans regulation (Westbalkan-Regelung)
§ 26 Abs. 2 BeschV (Westbalkan-Regelung)For nationals of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia: employment in non-regulated occupations is usually possible without qualification proof, if a job offer exists (BA approval required, annual quota limited).
- Citizenship of a Western Balkans country
- Concrete job offer (regardless of profession)
- Approval of the Federal Employment Agency (BA)
- Limited quota — appointments via German embassy
Frequently asked questions about the Residence Permit Checker
How does the Residence Permit Checker work?
The checker guides you through your situation in four short steps: country of origin, qualification level, purpose of the stay (working, job search, training, studies, recognition, or family reunification), and whether you already have a concrete job offer. Based on these four inputs, it assigns you a likely residence permit route, for example the EU Blue Card, a skilled-worker residence permit under § 18a or § 18b, the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte), or a residence permit for job search.
Does the checker use artificial intelligence for the assessment?
No. The checker works without AI and without a language model. The classification is based on a fixed, verifiable data structure, oriented on the Skilled Immigration Act (Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz). This makes the result traceable and stable, because the same inputs always lead to the same classification.
Does the checker replace legal advice?
No. The checker does not replace individual legal advice from an immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde), a specialist lawyer, or a recognized advisory service. Every result links to official sources such as the BAMF, so you can check the next step directly with the responsible authority. Use the checker as a first overview before making an appointment with the immigration authority or an advisory service.
What is the difference between a work permit and a residence permit?
"Work permit" (Arbeitserlaubnis) is a colloquial term; in current German law, this term no longer exists as a standalone document. The permission to work is instead noted directly on the residence permit itself: the eAT card explicitly states whether and to what extent employment is permitted. So if you are looking for a "work permit," in practice you usually mean a residence permit that entitles you to work, for example the EU Blue Card, a skilled-worker residence permit, or the Opportunity Card.