What documents do I need to move to Germany as a India citizen?

Typical pathway: Freelance Visa

Last verified: August 5, 2026

Valid Indian passport (original) (before) — Source: https://india.diplo.de/in-en/service/2539362-2539362
Ordinary Indian passport issued within the last 10 years, with at least two blank visa pages; passports with observations/remarks on the front data page are not accepted by German missions in India.
VIDEX national visa (D visa) application form – two signed printouts (before) — Source: https://india.diplo.de/in-en/service/2539362-2539362
Application form for a long-stay national visa for self-employment/freelance work, completed online in the VIDEX tool, printed twice and signed by hand on both copies.
Biometric passport photograph of the applicant (before) — Source: https://india.diplo.de/in-en/service/2539362-2539362
Recent identical photo(s) meeting German biometric specifications (35x45 mm, light background, taken within the last 6 months). This is the physical photo taken at a studio — not a scan or photocopy of an existing photo.
Photocopies of the passport data page and any previous Schengen/German visas (before) — Source: https://india.diplo.de/in-en/service/2539362-2539362
Plain paper copies of the biographical data page plus pages containing prior visas/entry stamps, submitted alongside the original passport. Number of copy sets can differ per mission (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata) — verify the mission-specific checklist before your appointment.
Curriculum vitae with qualification and experience evidence (before) — Source: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328332/en/
Tabular CV supported by degree/diploma certificates and references documenting the professional experience that qualifies you for a liberal profession under Section 18(1)(1) EStG (e.g. IT specialist, designer, engineer, language teacher, journalist, architect).
Letters of intent from at least two prospective German clients (before) — Source: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328332/en/
Client declarations (Absichtserklärungen) or signed freelance contracts stating the nature, scope and remuneration of the planned collaboration — the core evidence of regional need/economic or cultural benefit for a §21(5) AufenthG permit.
Freelance activity and revenue plan (financing plan) (before) — Source: https://india.diplo.de/in-en/service/2539362-2539362
Written description of the intended freelance activity with projected income, expected costs and a financing/capital plan showing the activity will cover your living costs in Germany.
Proof of personal capital / Indian bank statements (before) — Source: https://india.diplo.de/in-en/service/2539362-2539362
Recent Indian bank account statements, fixed deposits or a loan commitment demonstrating funds available to realise the freelance activity and to support yourself until income starts flowing.
Health insurance cover valid in Germany for the visa period (before) — Source: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/324288/en/
Insurance confirmation covering you from the day of entry (typically expat/incoming cover for the D-visa period). For the later residence permit the insurer must issue the specific certificate for a residence title for gainful employment — statutory (GKV) or an adequate private policy.
Proof of adequate old-age pension provision (applicants aged 45+) (before) — Source: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328332/en/
Required only if you have already turned 45: evidence that from age 67 you will have either a monthly pension of at least EUR 1,612.53 for 12 years or assets of at least EUR 232,204 (values effective 1 July 2025). Indian nationals are not on the exemption list.
Professional practice licence / chamber admission for regulated professions (before) — Source: https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__21.html
Only for regulated liberal professions (e.g. doctor, dentist, architect, tax adviser, lawyer): the permission to practise must already be granted or promised in writing before the permit can be issued. Confirm with the competent chamber/licensing authority in your intended German state.
Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (landlord's confirmation of occupancy) (during) — Source: Service Berlin / local Bürgeramt – Anmeldung einer Wohnung
Signed confirmation from your landlord/main tenant that you have moved into the address; mandatory attachment for the Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt, which must normally be done within two weeks of moving in.
Meldebescheinigung (city registration certificate) (during) — Source: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328332/en/
Certificate issued after the Anmeldung proving your registered German address; prerequisite for the tax number, bank account and the residence permit application. A second home is not sufficient — your main residence must be at the address.
German rental contract plus proof of monthly rent payments (during) — Source: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328332/en/
Current (sub)lease agreement together with evidence of the actual monthly housing cost, e.g. a current bank account statement showing the rent debit, or documentation of costs if you own the property.
Freelancer tax registration with the Finanzamt (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung) and resulting Steuernummer (during) — Source: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/324288/en/
Tax registration questionnaire filed via ELSTER with the local tax office as a Freiberufler; the confirmation/tax number (and VAT ID if applicable) is required evidence for the immigration office.
Residence permit application for freelance activity under §21(5) AufenthG (during) — Source: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/328332/en/
Online application to the Ausländerbehörde/LEA (in Berlin the 'Aufenthaltserlaubnis für selbstständig oder freiberuflich tätige Personen' form) with uploaded documents; you must already hold a valid D visa or residence title — a Schengen C visa is not sufficient. Procedure and forms differ by city.
Digitally captured biometric photo for the electronic residence title (eAT) (during) — Source: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/326564/en/
Since 1 May 2025 the biometric photo for the residence card must be captured digitally at an authority terminal or a certified photo studio and transmitted electronically; a printed photo is no longer accepted. Distinct from the paper photo used for the visa file in India.
Client invoices and six months of German bank statements showing recurring freelance income (after) — Source: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/324288/en/
Kept for the extension application: issued invoices plus account statements evidencing regular inflows from the freelance activity, submitted in originals and sorted.
Latest Steuerbescheid and tax adviser's net profit determination (after) — Source: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/324288/en/
Most recent income tax assessment together with a net-profit calculation prepared by a Steuerberater as proof of a secured livelihood at extension. Freelancers under §21(5) do not have to submit the 'Prüfungsbericht' (audit report) required of commercial self-employed persons. Extension can be filed at the earliest 4 months before expiry.
Settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) application file after 5 years (after) — Source: https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/326564/en/
For long-term stability: freelancers holding a §21(5) permit can be granted permanent residence at the earliest after 5 years, submitting passport with permit, sustained income proof, health insurance and pension contribution records; German language and integration proof also apply. Exact requirements vary by immigration authority — verify locally.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

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