DeutschEU freedom of movement
Living in Germany
Citizens of European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) member states have the right to freedom of movement within the EU.
This means…
… if you would like to live in Germany, you do not require a certificate of residential status. We will issue you with a certificate of freedom of movement in the event that you would like to stay for longer than three months, to work or study for example. You may be required to show this certificate at work or during a company audit.
Freedom of movement – for whom?
As a citizen of an EU/EEA member state, you will receive a certificate of freedom of movement in the event that you remain here
- as an employee
- in order to complete professional training
- as a self-employed individual
- as a service provider or recipient (e.g. student)
or simply in order to live here (in this case, you will have to provide evidence of sufficient financial means and health insurance coverage).
Family members
The certificate of freedom of movement can also be issued to family members (spouses and children up to the age of 21).
In the event that the family members are not EU/EEA citizens, they will be issued with an EU residence permit.
Work permit
At present, citizens from the member states Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and the Czech Republic require an EU work permit in order to take up paid employment.
This must be applied for at the Federal Employment Agency.