---
title: "Germany Skilled worker · degree requirements 2026: 4-year stay"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/skilled-worker-18b/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Germany · Work

# Germany Skilled worker · degree

**First stay:** 4 yrs

Residence permit for skilled workers with academic qualification (section 18b AufenthG)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **First stay:** 4 yrs (Issued for four years, or for the length of the employment contract plus six months if that is shorter (never more than four years).)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.)
- **Spouse work:** Can work (The spouse can join if the marriage existed when the permit was issued and the stay will exceed one year; proof of simple German (A1) is waived. Minor unmarried children can join under section 32. Your spouse or partner may work in Germany without a separate permit.)

## Key facts

Skilled worker · degree is a work route for Germany. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Government fees:** €100 ≈ $110 · €75 ≈ $84
- **First stay:** 4 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

**Government fees: €100 ≈ $110 · €75 ≈ $84**

- EUR 100 (≈ $110) Fee for issuing the residence permit, regardless of validity.
- EUR 75 (≈ $84) Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries.

**Renewal: Renewable**

Issued for four years, or the contract length plus six months if shorter; it can be extended while the conditions are met.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18b.html)

**Permanent residence: After 3 years of residence**

A settlement permit is possible after 3 years (2 years with a German degree or vocational qualification), with 36 months of pension contributions (24 months), German language skills and secured livelihood.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18c.html)

**Citizenship: After 5 years of residence**

Naturalisation needs 5 years of lawful habitual residence, secured livelihood, German at level B1 and a commitment to the democratic order.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stag/__10.html)

**Where to apply: From abroad**

Apply for a national visa at the German mission abroad; nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, the UK and the US can enter visa-free and apply in Germany within 90 days.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18b.html) [Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__41.html)

**Presence rules: Stay rule**

The residence permit expires if you leave Germany and do not return within six months, unless the authority sets a longer period.

[Federal Ministry of Justice](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__51.html)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Applications are made from outside Germany, not after arriving
- Needs a job offer from an employer in Germany
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is a third-country national.
- A German, recognised foreign or comparable foreign university degree.
- A first issue after age 45 requires a salary of at least 55% of the pension-insurance contribution ceiling (EUR55,770 (≈ $62,300) per year in 2026).
- Alternatively, adequate old-age provision is shown.

#### What you must show and pay

- **A fee of EUR 100 (≈ $110)** · Fee for issuing the residence permit, regardless of validity.
- **A fee of EUR 75 (≈ $84)** · Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries.

#### Documents

- A concrete job offer.
- A professional licence, where the occupation is regulated, must have been granted or promised.

#### Steps

1. The Federal Employment Agency approves the job unless a rule exempts it.

## When you become tax resident

How Germany decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **Up to 4 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** A continuous stay of more than six months counts as habitual abode from the start (section 9 AO), unless it is solely for a visit, recreation, cure or similar private purpose and lasts no longer than one year; a dwelling kept available for use creates a domicile (section 8 AO).
- **Foreign-source income:** Residents are taxed on worldwide income.

[All tax rules for Germany](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

Residence permit for any qualified employment for people with a German or recognised foreign university degree. No fixed salary floor applies below age 45. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

#### What you must show and pay

- A fee of EUR 100 (≈ $110) · Fee for issuing the residence permit, regardless of validity. (source 9)
- A fee of EUR 75 (≈ $84) · Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries. (source 10)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is a third-country national. (sources 1, 2)
- A German, recognised foreign or comparable foreign university degree. (sources 1, 2)
- A first issue after age 45 requires a salary of at least 55% of the pension-insurance contribution ceiling (EUR55,770 (≈ $62,300) per year in 2026). (sources 2, 8)
- Alternatively, adequate old-age provision is shown. (source 2)
- A concrete job offer. (sources 1, 2)
- A professional licence, where the occupation is regulated, must have been granted or promised. (source 2)
- The Federal Employment Agency approves the job unless a rule exempts it. (sources 1, 2)

#### Stay

- Issued for four years, or for the length of the employment contract plus six months if that is shorter (never more than four years).
- First stay: up to 48 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

Any qualified employment.

#### Family

The spouse can join if the marriage existed when the permit was issued and the stay will exceed one year; proof of simple German (A1) is waived. Minor unmarried children can join under section 32. Your spouse or partner may work in Germany without a separate permit.

Checked 2026-10-12

## Official sources

1. [AufenthG section 18b skilled workers with academic training](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18b.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-10
2. [AufenthG section 18: principles of skilled-worker immigration, job offer, approval and four-year term](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (Gesetze im Internet) · checked 2026-10-10
3. [AufenthG § 4a Zugang zur Erwerbstätigkeit](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__4a.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
4. [AufenthG § 30 Ehegattennachzug](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__30.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Family reunification with third-country nationals (Nachzug zu Drittstaatsangehörigen)](https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Familie/NachzugZuDrittstaatlern/nachzug-zu-drittstaatlern-node.html) · Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) · checked 2026-10-12
6. [AufenthG § 29 Familiennachzug zu Ausländern](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__29.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
7. [Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV) section 41: privileged nationals who may obtain the residence title after entry](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__41.html) · Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de · checked 2026-10-12
8. [Social Insurance Reference Values Ordinance 2026, section 4](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/svbezgrv_2026/__4.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
9. [Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 45: fees for the residence permit, Blue Card EU and ICT card](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__45.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
10. [Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 46: fees for the visa](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__46.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
11. [AufenthG section 18c: settlement permit for skilled workers and Blue Card holders](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18c.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (Gesetze im Internet) · checked 2026-10-10
12. [Nationality Act (StAG) section 10: naturalisation after lawful residence](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stag/__10.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
13. [AufenthG section 51: expiry of residence titles](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__51.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11

## Skilled worker · degree and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Skilled worker · degree | – | 4 yr, renewable | – |
| [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/eu-blue-card/) | Needs income from €46k a year ≈ $51k | 4 yr, renewable | – |
| [Intra-company transfer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/ict-card-19/) | – | 3 yr, renewable | – |
| [Experienced professional permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/experienced-professional-19c2/) | Needs income of €46k+ a year ≈ $51k | 4 yr, renewable | – |
| [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/researcher-18d/) | – | – | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Skilled worker · degree?

A fee of EUR 100 (≈ $110). Fee for issuing the residence permit, regardless of validity. A fee of EUR 75 (≈ $84). Fee for the national visa (category D), including multiple entries.

### How long can I stay on the Skilled worker · degree?

Issued for four years, or for the length of the employment contract plus six months if that is shorter (never more than four years).

### Can I work on the Skilled worker · degree?

Any qualified employment.

### Can I bring my family on the Skilled worker · degree?

The spouse can join if the marriage existed when the permit was issued and the stay will exceed one year; proof of simple German (A1) is waived.

### Who can apply for the Skilled worker · degree?

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Skilled worker · degree lead to permanent residence in Germany?

Time on the Skilled worker · degree counts toward permanent residence in Germany, which the rules allow after 3 years of residence. Time on the Skilled worker · degree counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence.

### How are Skilled worker · degree holders taxed in Germany?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Skilled worker · degree. The standard rules apply: Residents are taxed on worldwide income. The 2026 tariff is zero up to EUR12,348, (≈ $13,800) rising progressively to a 42% marginal rate from EUR69,879 (≈ $78,100) and 45% from EUR277,826 (≈ $310,000).

## More in Germany

[Opportunity Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/opportunity-card-job-search/) [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/working-holiday/) [Freelancer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/freelance-21-5/) [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/self-employment-21/) [Skilled worker · vocational](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/skilled-worker-18a/) [Western Balkans work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/western-balkans-26-2/) [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/student-16b/) [German citizenship by declaration](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/citizenship-declaration-stag-5/)

## Work visas elsewhere

[🇵🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) [🇪🇸 EU Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇪 IT sector permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/it-residence-permit/) [🇮🇹 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/eu-blue-card/) [🇬🇷 Large-company director permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/company-executive-b3/) [🇫🇷 Talent · Company officer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-corporate-officer/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 13 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [AufenthG section 18b skilled workers with academic training](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18b.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-10
2. [AufenthG section 18: principles of skilled-worker immigration, job offer, approval and four-year term](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (Gesetze im Internet) · checked 2026-10-10
3. [AufenthG § 4a Zugang zur Erwerbstätigkeit](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__4a.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
4. [AufenthG § 30 Ehegattennachzug](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__30.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Family reunification with third-country nationals (Nachzug zu Drittstaatsangehörigen)](https://www.bamf.de/DE/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Familie/NachzugZuDrittstaatlern/nachzug-zu-drittstaatlern-node.html) · Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) · checked 2026-10-12
6. [AufenthG § 29 Familiennachzug zu Ausländern](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__29.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
7. [Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV) section 41: privileged nationals who may obtain the residence title after entry](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__41.html) · Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de · checked 2026-10-12
8. [Social Insurance Reference Values Ordinance 2026, section 4](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/svbezgrv_2026/__4.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
9. [Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 45: fees for the residence permit, Blue Card EU and ICT card](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__45.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
10. [Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) section 46: fees for the visa](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__46.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice · checked 2026-10-11
11. [AufenthG section 18c: settlement permit for skilled workers and Blue Card holders](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18c.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (Gesetze im Internet) · checked 2026-10-10
12. [Nationality Act (StAG) section 10: naturalisation after lawful residence](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stag/__10.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11
13. [AufenthG section 51: expiry of residence titles](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__51.html) · Federal Ministry of Justice (gesetze-im-internet.de) · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.