Seconded Staff & Service Providers
Longer-term work in Germany as a UK employee
Seconded Staff
If you’re an employee of a UK or international business (or business group) being seconded for more than 90 days to a German branch or entity withing the same business or group, you’ll need a visa or residence permit for seconded staff to live and work in Germany.
As a British citizen, you can apply for a visa before you leave – from the German Consulate General in Edinburgh (if you live in Scotland) or from the German Embassy in London (if you live in any other part of the UK). If you already have pre-approval from the Federal Employment Agency (see below), you’ll need to apply via the German Mission’s external service provider, TLS.
Alternatively, you can travel to Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit from the local immigration office within 90 days, but you may only start working once your permit has been granted.
Requirements for a visa or residence permit for seconded staff include:
- An employer declaration confirming the details of your employment;
- Evidence of health insurance cover in Germany (usually in the form of a UK GHIC or EHIC); and
- A professional CV.
- In some cases, you’ll need approval from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). In order to speed up the process, your employer can seek pre-approval before you apply for a visa or residence permit.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Full details on visas for seconded staff are available on the website of the German Missions in the UK. Details on applying for a residence permit after your arrival are available from the relevant local immigration office in Germany. The fee for a visa is €75. A residence permit obtained in Germany after arrival will usually cost you €100.
Like everyone living in Germany, you must register as a resident with the local authority within 14 days of moving into your accommodation. You’ll need confirmation of your registration to apply for your residence permit, or to have your visa converted into a residence permit
Service Providers
If, as an employee of a UK or other non-EU business, you’re spending more than 90 days in Germany to fulfil contractual obligations with a German client, you’ll need a visa or residence permit for service providers to live and work in Germany.
As a British citizen, you can apply for a visa before you leave – from the German Consulate General in Edinburgh (if you live in Scotland) or from the German Embassy in London (if you live in any other part of the UK). If you already have pre-approval from the Federal Employment Agency (see below), you’ll need to apply via the German Mission’s external service provider, TLS.
Alternatively, you can travel to Germany without a visa and apply for a residence permit from the local immigration office within 90 days, but you may only start working once your permit has been granted.
Requirements for a visa or residence permit for service providers include:
- An employer declaration confirming the details of your employment;
- A contract between your employer and the German client;
- Evidence of health insurance cover in Germany (usually in the form of a UK GHIC or EHIC); and
- A professional CV.
- In some cases, you’ll need approval from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). In order to speed up the process, your employer can seek pre-approval before you apply for a visa or residence permit.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Full details on visas for service providers are available on the website of the German Missions in the UK. Details on applying for a residence permit after your arrival are available from the relevant local immigration office in Germany. The fee for a visa is €75. A residence permit obtained in Germany will usually cost you €100.
Like everyone living in Germany, you must register as a resident with the local authority within 14 days of moving into your accommodation. You’ll need confirmation of your registration to apply for your residence permit, or to have your visa converted into a residence permit.
Disclaimer: the information in this guide has been collated from government, academic, professional and public institution sources available at the time of publication. However, it is subject to change, and errors and omissions are excepted. Please always check directly with the relevant decision-making bodies and/or take professional advice for specific cases.
