{
  "schema_version": "gig-migration-export-v2",
  "data_version": "2026-06-14",
  "generated_at": "2026-06-14",
  "type": "MigrationCorridor",
  "origin_id": "eu",
  "origin_name": "EU / EEA",
  "origin_slug": "eu-eea",
  "destination_code": "de",
  "destination_name": "Germany",
  "destination_slug": "germany",
  "title": "Moving from EU / EEA to Germany: Visa, Cost & Best Cities (2026)",
  "html_url": "https://migrationfit.com/routes/eu-eea-to-germany/",
  "advisor_url": "/relocation-advisor/?passport=eu&target=de",
  "indexable": true,
  "data_backed_section_count": 5,
  "section_coverage": [{"id":"entry","label":"Entry access","ready":true},{"id":"routes","label":"Legal routes","ready":true},{"id":"timeline","label":"PR / citizenship timeline","ready":true},{"id":"bestCities","label":"Best cities","ready":true},{"id":"recognition","label":"Recognition","ready":true},{"id":"diaspora","label":"Diaspora","ready":false}],
  "passport_rule": {"id":"eu-de-fom","passport_id":"eu","passport_name":"EU / EEA","destination_code":"de","destination_name":"Germany","destination_slug":"germany","destination_url":"/countries/germany/","entry_mode":"visa_free","max_stay_days":0,"max_stay_label":"Unlimited","duration_notes":"Unlimited stay. EU/EEA citizens have the right to reside and work permanently.","work_allowed":null,"permit_obtained_via":"EU freedom of movement. No visa or work permit required. Register at local Einwohnermeldeamt within 2 weeks of arrival.","conditions":["Valid EU/EEA passport or national ID card","Register residence (Anmeldung) at local authority within 14 days","Freedom of movement applies to all EU/EEA member-state nationals"],"fee":{"currency":"EUR","amount":0,"applies_to":"per person","notes":"No visa fee. Small registration fee may apply locally (varies by Amt)."},"special_zones":[],"notes":["EU freedom of movement. No visa or work permit required. Register at local Einwohnermeldeamt within 2 weeks of arrival.","Unlimited stay. EU/EEA citizens have the right to reside and work permanently.","Layer 1 (entry): visa-free, unlimited. Layer 2 (work): no permit needed, right to work immediately. Layer 3 (PR/citizenship): permanent residence right after 5 years continuous lawful residence under Directive 2004/38/EC; naturalisation possible after 5 years (reduced to 3 under certain conditions since 2024 reform). This record applies to all EU/EEA passport holders travelling to Germany."],"source_ids":["eu_freedom_of_movement_directive_2004_38","make_it_in_germany_eu_citizens"],"sources":[{"id":"eu_freedom_of_movement_directive_2004_38","label":"Directive 2004/38/EC — Right of Citizens of the Union and their Family Members to Move and Reside Freely","url":"https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02004L0038-20110616","authority_tier":"Tier 1 — Official EU legislation","description":"Establishes EU/EEA freedom of movement rights, including right of permanent residence after 5 years.","date_reviewed":null,"official":true},{"id":"make_it_in_germany_eu_citizens","label":"Make it in Germany — Information for EU Citizens","url":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/working-in-germany/information-eu-citizens","authority_tier":"Tier 1 — Official German Federal Government portal","description":"Describes freedom of movement rights for EU/EEA nationals in Germany, including right to work without permit and Anmeldung registration requirement.","date_reviewed":null,"official":true}],"confidence":"A","freshness_state":"fresh","last_checked":"2026-06-07T00:00:00Z","date_observed":"2026-06-07"},
  "legal_routes": [{"id":"de-eu-blue-card-shortage-new-entrant","slug":"germany-eu-blue-card-shortage-new-entrant","routeName":"EU Blue Card — shortage occupations / new entrants","routeType":"work","routeTypeLabel":"Work","processingTimeDays":null,"processingTimeDisplay":"Must verify","minimumSalaryEur":45934.2,"minimumSalaryDisplay":"EUR 45,934","allowFamily":true,"requiredDocuments":["Passport","Photo","Work contract or binding job offer for at least 6 months","Proof of qualification or eligible IT experience","Proof of salary/earnings","Proof of health insurance"],"notes":"2026 lower salary threshold for shortage occupations, new graduates whose degree was obtained no more than three years ago, and eligible IT specialists; some cases require BA approval.","summary":"2026 lower salary threshold for shortage occupations, new graduates whose degree was obtained no more than three years ago, and eligible IT specialists; some cases require BA approval.","observedDate":"2026-05-27","sources":[{"id":"make-it-in-germany","label":"Make it in Germany","url":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"},{"id":"bamf","label":"BAMF","url":"https://www.bamf.de","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-02"}]},{"id":"de-eu-blue-card","slug":"germany-eu-blue-card","routeName":"Germany EU Blue Card","routeType":"work","routeTypeLabel":"Work","processingTimeDays":null,"processingTimeDisplay":"Must verify","minimumSalaryEur":50700,"minimumSalaryDisplay":"EUR 50,700","allowFamily":true,"requiredDocuments":["Passport","Photo","Work contract or binding job offer","Proof of academic or professional qualification","Proof of salary/earnings","Proof of health insurance"],"notes":"Official 2026 general EU Blue Card salary threshold. Shortage/new-entrant threshold tracked separately as metric and route.","summary":"Official 2026 general EU Blue Card salary threshold.","observedDate":"2026-05-27","sources":[{"id":"eu-immigration-portal-blue-card","label":"EU Blue Card Germany","url":"https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal/eu-blue-card/eu-blue-card-germany_en","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"},{"id":"make-it-in-germany","label":"Make it in Germany","url":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"},{"id":"bamf","label":"BAMF","url":"https://www.bamf.de","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-02"}]},{"id":"de-skilled-worker-vocational-academic","slug":"germany-skilled-worker-training","routeName":"Skilled Workers with Vocational or Academic Training","routeType":"work","routeTypeLabel":"Work","processingTimeDays":null,"processingTimeDisplay":"Must verify","minimumSalaryEur":null,"minimumSalaryDisplay":"Must verify","allowFamily":true,"requiredDocuments":["Passport","Photo","Proof of completed vocational or higher education","Evidence of comparable qualification if obtained abroad","Employment offer or contract","Proof of health insurance"],"notes":"Official route family for qualified workers; exact conditions differ by subsection and qualification type.","summary":"Official route family for qualified workers; exact conditions differ by subsection and qualification type.","observedDate":"2026-05-27","sources":[{"id":"bamf","label":"BAMF","url":"https://www.bamf.de","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-02"},{"id":"make-it-in-germany-skills","label":"Make it in Germany Skills","url":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa/kinds-of-visa/work/skilled-immigration-act","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"},{"id":"make-it-in-germany","label":"Make it in Germany","url":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"}]},{"id":"de-study-visa-residence","slug":"germany-study-residence","routeName":"Study Visa / Residence Permit","routeType":"student","routeTypeLabel":"Student","processingTimeDays":null,"processingTimeDisplay":"Must verify","minimumSalaryEur":null,"minimumSalaryDisplay":"Must verify","allowFamily":true,"requiredDocuments":["Passport","Photo","Letter of admission / invitation","Proof of sufficient means of support","Health insurance confirmation","Accommodation or housing proof"],"notes":"Official study route; family and financing details require applicant-specific official verification.","summary":"Official study route; family and financing details require applicant-specific official verification.","observedDate":"2026-05-27","sources":[{"id":"make-it-in-germany","label":"Make it in Germany","url":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"},{"id":"make-it-in-germany-studies","label":"Make it in Germany Study","url":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/study-vocational-training/studies-in-germany/requirements","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"},{"id":"eu-immigration-portal-student","label":"EU Student Germany","url":"https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal/student-germany_en","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"}]}],
  "timeline": "permanent residence right after 5 years continuous lawful residence under Directive 2004/38/EC; naturalisation possible after 5 years (reduced to 3 under certain conditions since 2024 reform). This record applies to all EU/EEA passport holders travelling to Germany. Unlimited stay. EU/EEA citizens have the right to reside and work permanently. EU freedom of movement. No visa or work permit required. Register at local Einwohnermeldeamt within 2 weeks of arrival.",
  "best_cities": [{"rank":1,"cityId":"DE-LEIPZIG","cityName":"Leipzig","cityUrl":"/cities/de/leipzig/","consensusProfiles":5,"consensusScore":98,"fit":{"low":63,"high":68},"rent":"EUR 439/mo","salary":"—"},{"rank":2,"cityId":"DE-DRESDEN","cityName":"Dresden","cityUrl":"/cities/de/dresden/","consensusProfiles":5,"consensusScore":91,"fit":{"low":63,"high":68},"rent":"EUR 504/mo","salary":"—"},{"rank":3,"cityId":"DE-AUGSBURG","cityName":"Augsburg","cityUrl":"/cities/de/augsburg/","consensusProfiles":5,"consensusScore":85,"fit":{"low":63,"high":68},"rent":"EUR 637/mo","salary":"—"},{"rank":4,"cityId":"DE-STUTTGART","cityName":"Stuttgart","cityUrl":"/cities/de/stuttgart/","consensusProfiles":5,"consensusScore":80,"fit":{"low":62,"high":67},"rent":"EUR 680/mo","salary":"—"},{"rank":5,"cityId":"DE-MANNHEIM","cityName":"Mannheim","cityUrl":"/cities/de/mannheim/","consensusProfiles":5,"consensusScore":77,"fit":{"low":62,"high":67},"rent":"EUR 636/mo","salary":"—"}],
  "recognition": {"profession":"nurse","authority":"anabin / Anerkennung in Deutschland","portalUrl":"https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/en/index.php","notes":"Regulated/professional recognition status must be checked with the national ENIC-NARIC or sector authority before presenting occupation-specific advice.","observedDate":"2026-06-13"},
  "sources": [{"id":"eu_freedom_of_movement_directive_2004_38","label":"Directive 2004/38/EC — Right of Citizens of the Union and their Family Members to Move and Reside Freely","url":"https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02004L0038-20110616","authority_tier":"Tier 1 — Official EU legislation","description":"Establishes EU/EEA freedom of movement rights, including right of permanent residence after 5 years.","date_reviewed":null,"official":true},{"id":"make_it_in_germany_eu_citizens","label":"Make it in Germany — Information for EU Citizens","url":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/working-in-germany/information-eu-citizens","authority_tier":"Tier 1 — Official German Federal Government portal","description":"Describes freedom of movement rights for EU/EEA nationals in Germany, including right to work without permit and Anmeldung registration requirement.","date_reviewed":null,"official":true},{"id":"make-it-in-germany","label":"Make it in Germany","url":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"},{"id":"bamf","label":"BAMF","url":"https://www.bamf.de","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-02"},{"id":"eu-immigration-portal-blue-card","label":"EU Blue Card Germany","url":"https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal/eu-blue-card/eu-blue-card-germany_en","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"},{"id":"make-it-in-germany-skills","label":"Make it in Germany Skills","url":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa/kinds-of-visa/work/skilled-immigration-act","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"},{"id":"make-it-in-germany-studies","label":"Make it in Germany Study","url":"https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/study-vocational-training/studies-in-germany/requirements","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"},{"id":"eu-immigration-portal-student","label":"EU Student Germany","url":"https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal/student-germany_en","grade":"A","observedDate":"2026-05-27"},{"label":"anabin / Anerkennung in Deutschland","url":"https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland.de/html/en/index.php","observedDate":"2026-06-13","grade":"A"}]
}