How to Move to Germany Without a Job

Can you move to Germany even without a job?

Yes, you can move to Germany without a job, but you need a visa that does not depend on employment. The main options are a student visa, a language course visa, a spousal visa, a jobseeker visa that gives you six months to find sponsored work, a freelancer visa for artistic professions, or EU citizenship.

As with most annoying things to do with moving abroad, the trouble with moving to Germany comes with getting a visa, and without a job, that gets a lot harder. That being said, it is definitely possible.

So, here’s how to move to Germany without a job. Let’s dive in and find out more.

Germany is one of several options here, so it’s worth seeing the wider picture on how to move to Europe without a job before you commit to one country.

Visas

Okay, the bane of every expat’s life is visa applications and the miles of red tape that come with them.

It’s pretty unusual to be able to move to Germany without a job, as most people come through with a work-sponsored visa or move internally within their international company to an office in Germany.

However, there are a few visas and allowances that will allow you to move to Germany without a job.

PROGEDO Relocation, our trusted relocation partner, has helped a lot of expats move to Germany, and if you contact them for help, make sure to let them know I sent you there by mentioning ‘Wander Onwards’!

Student Visa

First up, we have Germany’s student visa. This one is fairly straightforward.

If you have been accepted by a college or university to study in Germany and you can prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while you’re here, then you’re eligible for a student visa.

This has to be the most common way to move to Germany without having a job already in place.

These visas normally last for the length of your course until graduation, so make sure that you either have a sponsored job lined up or you’re prepared to move to another country.

A degree isn’t the only route in either. Here’s how to move abroad without a degree if formal study isn’t your path.

Language Course Visa

An offshoot of the student visa is the language course visa. In a lot of countries, you can semi-bypass the student visa system by enrolling in a language college and getting admission that way.

However, in Germany, the Language Course Visa is its own thing.

It’s designed for people who are partaking in educational language activities for anywhere between three months and one year.

So if this sounds like you and you want to learn some German, it’s a lot easier to organize and a lot cheaper than a three-year degree course!

I‘ve lived abroad for many years and love helping others find work abroad and figure out their “Move Abroad Plan.” Check out my class below to get you started ASAP!

Spousal Visa

If your spouse is a German national or has permanent residency, you can apply to join them in Germany without having a job lined up.

There are different processes depending on your country of origin, but normally, you need to prove that you can speak German to a reasonable level (usually A2 or B1), and bring paperwork proving your relationship with your spouse through marriage certificates or cohabitation paperwork.

Jobseeker Visa

This visa kind of does what it says on the tin. You can apply to stay in Germany for up to six months to help you find a job with sponsorship for a longer-term visa.

It’s sometimes easier to try and get everything set up while you’re actually in the country, so this might be useful if you’re not having any luck trying to secure a sponsored visa from your home country.

It’s also useful if you want to work in a more hourly rate role or a seasonal position, as these are easier to find when you’re in-country.

Six months goes fast, so it helps to know what you’re aiming at. These are the jobs in Germany for Americans with the strongest demand right now.

Freelancer Visa

If you’re an artist, writer, or someone who works in a more liberal industry, you might be eligible for a Freelancer Visa. It’s super important to know that in Germany, freelancing is much more of a liberal thing, not a commercial practice.

So, if you’re a business consultant or freelancer in a more professional industry sense, you might not be eligible for this kind of visa.

However, if you’re more artistic and have a project in Germany that you want to work on, you need to include your project pitch in your visa application to be considered.

EU Citizenship

Are you lucky enough to be from an EU country? Well then, you’ll be eligible to live in Germany without having to get a job.

You can visit freely and apply for more long-term residencies without much of the red tape that other expats have to face.

You also have the right to work in Germany without having to get a dedicated sponsored work visa.

So, you can come to Germany, look for a job in your own time, and then register for your residency permit like every other expat!

Schengen Zone

So, one of the most popular ways for people to visit Germany is through the Schengen Zone.

Essentially, this means that you can travel through a whole host of European countries, most of which are in the European Union, without having to get individual visas.

Schengen allows you to travel up to 90 days within a 180-day period, so you can stay for up to approximately three months before you have to think about visas.

The thing with the Schengen pass or zone is that you cannot legally work in any of these countries. Not even as a digital nomad or freelancer.

If you’re caught, you can get deported from Germany, and you might even get banned from re-entering the Schengen zone as a whole. It’s definitely not worth it.

However, you can use your time in the Schengen zone to help find a job with sponsorship so that you can switch to a long-term sponsored work visa once your 90 days are up.

Finding those roles is the hard part, which is exactly why we built NearFar, our new job board for work across Europe, with filters for visa sponsorship, English-speaking roles, and remote work.

This is probably the best use of your time, and you don’t need to worry about applying and spending money on the Jobseeker Visa if you can get something lined up during your visa-less Schengen entry timeline.

Learning German

So, if you’re thinking about moving to Germany, you’re going to have to learn German. There’s really no way around it, and honestly, it’s going to make your move there much easier in the long run.

Dealing with red tape is one thing, but dealing with it when you don’t know the language is a whole other ballgame!

In fact, many visas and residency permits require you to prove a certain level of German language proficiency.

As you get closer to permanent residency or citizenship, the requirement gets higher, so initially, it tends to be an A2 level according to the internationally recognized CEFR scale.

Some permits and visas require a B1 level, which is a more intermediate level, and you’ll need to complete a formal test and show your certificate as proof.

Saving Money

If you’re thinking about moving to Germany without a job lined up, you’re going to want to save up a good chunk of money.

Think about it this way: you still need money for rent, utilities, food, transport, and more while you’re looking for a job in Germany. This soon adds up.

Add international flights into the mix, and your budget soon runs into thousands of Euros.

Of course, if you’re staying with friends or family members, or have bursaries or financial aid for studying abroad, a lot of the time, you’re going to need to supplement this with your savings.

Finding a job with sponsorship can take time, so make sure you have a decent financial buffer to support you while you’re in Germany.

For a sense of what that buffer needs to cover, here’s the full walkthrough on how to move to Germany from the US in 15 steps, including the blocked account and residence permit fees.

In fact, some visas will require you to prove that you have a certain amount of money in your savings account to ensure you won’t become a burden on the state. So, get saving!

What visa do you need to move to Germany without a job?

Germany offers several visas that do not require employment: a student visa, a language course visa for stays of three months to one year, a spousal visa if your partner is German or a permanent resident, a jobseeker visa, and a freelancer visa for artistic work.

How long can you stay in Germany on a jobseeker visa?

The German jobseeker visa allows you to stay for up to six months while you look for work that will sponsor a longer-term visa. It is useful if you are struggling to secure sponsorship from your home country, or if you want hourly or seasonal roles that are easier to find in person.

Can you work in Germany on a Schengen tourist visa?

No. The Schengen Zone lets you stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period, but you cannot legally work in Germany during that time, not even as a freelancer or digital nomad. Getting caught can lead to deportation and a ban from re-entering the Schengen Zone.

Do you need to speak German to move to Germany?

For many visas and residency permits, yes. The usual starting requirement is A2 level on the CEFR scale, with some permits requiring B1. The requirement rises as you move toward permanent residency or citizenship, and you will need a formal test certificate as proof.

How much money do you need to move to Germany without a job?

There is no single figure, but you need enough to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, and international flights while you job hunt, which runs into thousands of euros. Some German visas also require proof of savings so you will not become a burden on the state.

Who qualifies for a German freelancer visa?

The German freelancer visa is aimed at artists, writers, and people in liberal professions rather than commercial ones. Business consultants and freelancers in more corporate industries often do not qualify. If you are applying, you need to include a pitch for the project you plan to work on in Germany.

Vanessa Wachtmeister

Vanessa Wachtmeister is a travel tech professional and the creator of the wealth & wanderlust platform, Wander Onwards. Vanessa is originally from Los Angeles, California, she is a proud Chicana, and she has been living abroad for the last 9 years. Today, she helps people pursue financial and location independence through her ‘Move Abroad’ Master Class, financial literacy digital products, and career workshops.