Moving to Germany from India: Visa Routes Explained

The thresholds below come from German Missions in India, VFS Global and the Federal Ministry of Justice, as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. For short trips and the Schengen process, see our Germany visa guide for Indians.

Do you need a Schengen visa or a national visa to move to Germany?

A national visa. The two visas do different jobs:

• Schengen (C) visa: stays of up to 90 days for tourism, business or family visits. The fee is 90 EUR / 9,900 INR, and every application in India is decided by the German Consulate General in Mumbai.
• National (D) visa: stays of more than 90 days for work, study, training or family reunion. The fee is 75 EUR / 8300 INR for applicants over 18 and 4200 INR for those under 18, paid in INR at the exchange rate on the day of the appointment and not reimbursed if refused.

A national visa is usually issued for 90 days up to one year. You convert it into a residence permit at the foreigners' authority after you arrive. While it is valid, it also allows travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Which German long-stay routes are open to Indians?

How much salary or money does each route need?

EU Blue Card. From 1 January 2026 the minimum gross salary is EUR 50,700 a year for most professions and EUR 45,934.20 for MINT and other shortage professions, such as engineers, doctors and IT professionals. Applicants aged 45 or older earning below EUR 55,770 a year must show adequate pension provision. Indian degrees need confirmation that the course was completed in regular mode, not by distance learning, unless ZAB has recognised it.

Skilled worker with work experience. You need at least two years of matching experience gained within the last five years, professional training of at least two years or a degree, and a contract paying at least EUR 45,630 a year. Work experience alone, without formal training, is not enough.

Opportunity Card. You must show at least EUR 1,091 per month for living expenses, for example through a blocked account or a formal declaration of support from someone living in Germany. Pearson PTE, Duolingo and TOEFL online results are not accepted as proof of English in India.

Student visa. The blocked account (Sperrkonto) is EUR 11,904 for the first year, with withdrawals capped at EUR 992 a month. An education loan comes on top of the blocked account; it does not replace it.

How do you apply from India?

1. Start in the Consular Services Portal (CSP) if your category is offered there. German missions in India make the portal compulsory for every visa type it covers. Booking an appointment without a completed CSP pre-check is not accepted.
2. Book the on-site appointment through the link you receive at the end of the CSP process. Categories not in the portal, such as researchers, au pairs and recognition of qualifications, are booked on the VFS website for the location responsible for your residence.
3. Attend in person. Each applicant needs their own appointment, and minors, including babies, must be present.
4. Bring originals. Missions need originals or copies certified by a German authority. Indian notarised copies are not accepted, but attestation or apostille is not required.
5. Pay the fees. The visa fee is paid at the appointment. If you submit at VFS, add the VFS service fee of INR 1024 and the D-visa logistic fee of INR 1420.

Indians living outside India choose their country of residence, not their citizenship, in the portal.

Which German mission handles your state?

The on-site appointment is always within the jurisdiction of your place of residence, either at a VFS centre or at the mission itself.

How long does a German national visa take?

German Missions in India publish no fixed processing time. They say national visas may take several months depending on the category, there is no online tracking, and status inquiries are not answered within the first three months.

Employer pre-approvals can shorten the wait. With a fast-track pre-approval under Section 81a of the Residence Act, the mission offers a visa appointment within three weeks and, as a rule, decides within three weeks of receiving the complete application (Section 31a Residence Ordinance). A Federal Employment Agency pre-approval can also shorten processing.

If an application is refused, the letter states the reason. You can reapply at any time or file a lawsuit at the Administrative Court in Berlin within one month; the court fee is currently EUR 483.

What do you do in your first weeks in Germany?

• Register with the residents' registration office immediately after entering.
• Book an appointment with the foreigners' authority to apply for your residence permit before the national visa expires.
• Keep your German health insurance active; work and study routes require cover from the start of employment or from arrival.

Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram helps with the travel paperwork around a move, including flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters. Packages start at INR 1,000 for a flight reservation and go up to INR 3,000 for all four. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or use the contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I move to Germany from India without a job offer?

Yes, through the Opportunity Card, which is designed for skilled people looking for work in Germany. You qualify through a qualification recognised in Germany or a minimum points score, and must show at least EUR 1,091 a month for living expenses. Studying is the other route that needs no job offer.

Do I need to speak German to move to Germany?

It depends on the route. Most spouses joining a resident need German A1, au pairs need A1, and recognition-of-qualification applicants need A2, or B2 for care professions. The German Missions' Blue Card checklist does not list a German-language requirement.

Can my spouse come with me on an EU Blue Card?

Yes. German Missions say spouses of EU Blue Card holders who apply together with them, or within six months, count as dependants. The spouse applies under family reunion through the Consular Services Portal.

Do I still need an airport transit visa to fly through Germany?

No. Since 3 June 2026 Indian nationals no longer need an airport transit visa for a layover at a German airport when travelling on to another country.