In short
Under § 19c(1) AufenthG and § 26(1) BeschV, citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, Israel, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand (plus Andorra, Monaco and San Marino) may be allowed any employment in Germany, regardless of where the employer is based. The Federal Employment Agency must approve the job, and it checks whether preferred workers are available (priority check) and that pay and conditions match German standards. No recognised qualification or minimum salary is set by law. US citizens can enter visa-free and apply at the local foreigners office within 90 days. The result is a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), not permanent residence; the fee is €100.
Germany section 19c: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| § 26 BeschV nationals | US, Canadian, Australian, UK, Israeli, Japanese, Korean and NZ citizens may take any job, regardless of where the employer is based, with Federal Employment Agency approval (priority check)# Source: Employment Ordinance § 26 (BeschV) |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | US citizens can get any residence permit (Blue Card, skilled worker, freelance, study) at the local foreigners office after visa-free entry# Source: Residence Ordinance § 41 (AufenthV) |
| Visa-free stay | 90 days in any 180 (Schengen); US citizens can also apply for a residence permit in Germany within 90 days of entry# Source: Residence Ordinance § 41 (AufenthV) |
| Digital nomad visa | None — and no official plan for a remote-work permit has been announced# Source: Make it in Germany: self-employment |
| Fees | Residence permit or Blue Card €100; national visa €75; settlement permit €113–147# Source: Residence Ordinance § 45 (fees) · Residence Ordinance § 46 (visa fees) · Residence Ordinance § 44 (settlement permit fees) |
| Address registration | Within 2 weeks of moving in; free; landlord confirmation needed# Source: Federal Registration Act § 17 · Service Berlin: registering an address |
| Self-employed health insurance | Voluntary public members pay the full rate on income up to €5,812.50 a month; newcomers from outside the EU often need private cover# Source: Federal Ministry of Health: contributions 2026 |
| Permanent residence (general) | After 5 years with 60 months of pension contributions and B1 German; faster routes for Blue Card, skilled workers and the self-employed# Source: Residence Act § 9 (settlement permit) |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
This route is not open to everyone — it depends on your citizenship:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Who can use § 26(1) | Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, South Korea, the UK and the US. |
|---|---|
| Applying in Germany | Citizens of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino cannot apply in Germany for a work-based permit; they need a visa from a German mission first. Americans, Canadians, Australians, Brits, Israelis, Japanese, Koreans and New Zealanders can apply in Germany. |
| Western Balkans | Citizens of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia have a separate, capped route under § 26(2). |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Overview
What Section 19c(1) Does
Section 19c(1) of the Residence Act lets a foreign national get a residence permit for employment when the Employment Ordinance (BeschV) allows it. § 26(1) BeschV allows citizens of a short list of countries — including the US — to take any job, regardless of where the employer is based, with approval from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit).
That makes it the most flexible work route for Americans: no recognised degree, no minimum salary in law, and it works for a German employer or for a US employer while you work remotely from Germany.
For Americans without a recognised degree or a Blue Card salary, § 19c with § 26 BeschV is often the practical way to work in Germany — including remotely for a US company.
How Approval Works
The Federal Employment Agency Approval
Priority check
The Agency checks whether German, EU or other preferred job-seekers are available for the job (Vorrangprüfung). For a remote role that only makes sense for your foreign employer, this is usually not a barrier — but it is part of the process.
Pay and conditions
Your salary and working conditions must not be worse than those of comparable local workers.
Tied to the job
The permit is issued for the approved job. Check with the foreigners office before changing employer.
Requirements
What You Need to Apply
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid US passport | Entered visa-free; apply within 90 days |
| Employment contract | With your German or foreign employer, stating salary and hours |
| Employer's job description | Usually on the Federal Employment Agency's form for the approval |
| Address registration | Anmeldebestätigung — register within 2 weeks of moving in |
| Health insurance | Adequate cover — statutory if you are employed by a German employer; otherwise private or other suitable cover |
| Proof of livelihood | Income that covers your living costs without public benefits |
| Fee | €100 for the residence permit |
Local foreigners offices may ask for more. Source: § 26 BeschV · § 41 AufenthV · § 45 AufenthV (fees)
Restrictions
What This Permit Is — and Is Not
It is employment, not freelancing
§ 19c covers employment. If you work for several clients as a freelancer, use the freelance permit or the self-employment permit instead.
It is a temporary residence permit
The permit is an Aufenthaltserlaubnis, not a settlement permit. Permanent residence normally follows after 5 years with B1 German and 60 months of pension contributions.
No work before approval
You may not start working until the permit — or a work authorisation — is granted. If your 90 days run out while your case is pending, the office issues a certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung) that keeps your stay legal.
Tax and social security
Living and working in Germany usually makes you a German tax resident. Your employer may need to set up German payroll — check this before you move.
Important Distinction
Section 19c(1) vs. Section 19c(2)
Privileged Nationals
For US and other listed citizens — any job, any employer location, Federal Employment Agency approval with priority check.
Pronounced Professional Experience
For anyone with at least 2 years' experience in the last 5 years, a qualification recognised in the country where it was earned and a salary of at least €45,630 a year (2026). The separate IT route without a degree is part of the Blue Card.
Step-by-Step Process
How to Apply as a US Citizen
Enter Germany visa-free
Your 90-day window starts on arrival. Apply well before day 90.
Find housing and register
Sign a lease and register your address (Anmeldung) within 2 weeks — you need the landlord's confirmation. In Berlin, appointments are now usually available within 14 days.
Arrange health insurance
Statutory insurance comes with a German employer; for a foreign employer you usually need private or other suitable cover.
Apply at the foreigners office
Apply online or by appointment with your contract, job description and documents. The office asks the Federal Employment Agency for approval.
Receive your permit
After approval you get the permit (€100); the card follows a few weeks later.
Next Steps
Is Section 19c Right for You?
Section 19c is a good fit if…
- You are a US (or other listed) citizen with a job offer or remote contract
- You don't qualify for the EU Blue Card or don't have a recognised qualification
- You will be employed, not freelancing for several clients
- You can arrange health insurance and a German address
- You are ready for German tax residence
Compare routes on our Germany page, or check the freelance permit if you work for several clients.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a German employer for Section 19c?
No. § 26(1) BeschV allows any employment regardless of where the employer is based — a German or a foreign employer. The Federal Employment Agency must approve the job.
What income do I need?
The law sets no minimum salary. Your pay must match German standards for comparable work, and your income must cover your living costs without public benefits.
Can US citizens apply in Germany without a visa?
Yes. Under § 41 AufenthV, US citizens can enter visa-free and apply at the local foreigners office within 90 days.
Is there a new German remote-work visa coming in 2026?
We found no law, draft bill or official announcement. Claims about a 2026 remote-work permit come from blogs. Until something official appears, § 19c and the freelance permit are the routes to use.
Does Section 19c lead to permanent residence?
Not directly. It is a temporary residence permit. Permanent residence normally follows after 5 years with B1 German and 60 months of pension contributions.
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Ready to Work in Germany?
We help US citizens with § 19c applications — from contracts and insurance to Anmeldung and the foreigners office.