Moving to UK from Germany: Visa & Immigration Guide

How to Move to the UK from Germany?

EU nationals need to apply for a visa if they want to move to the UK. If you want to move from Germany to the UK (or stay for longer than six months), you will need to apply for an immigration permission.

You can move to the UK from Germany to work, study or to reunite with family members, provided you meet the requirements for the visa.

The UK offers a relatively similar way of life to the one you might find in Germany, making it an attractive option for Germans.

Move to the UK from Germany for Work

The UK is an attractive place to work for many EU citizens. London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are just some of the cities in the UK where you will find high economic activity and many job opportunities.

If you want to move from Germany to the UK to work, you will need to apply for one of the UK work visas.

The UK’s Skilled Workers Visa is designed for those who hold appropriate skills in skilled professions. In order to be eligible, you must have been offered a job by a UK company which holds a sponsorship licence.

There are other UK work visas too for those in specific circumstances and jobs:

• Senior or Specialist Worker Visa: This is for those who have been offered a position in the UK branch of a multinational company
• Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility): This visa is for those who want to transfer to the UK as part of a graduate training program
• Minister of Religion Visa: For those who have been offered a position in a UK faith-based community
• International Sportsperson Visa: For professional sportspeople

There is also the opportunity for applicants to become eligible for a UK Expansion Worker Visa. To be eligible, the candidate must be a pre-existing employee of an overseas company seeking business expansion in the United Kingdom, and usually have been working overseas in that business for at least 1 year although there may be exceptions to this based on qualifications and experience.

What are the Requirements for the Skilled Workers Visa?

For most German citizens who are looking to work in the UK, the Skilled Workers Visa will be the UK work visa of choice.

The main requirements for a Skilled Workers Visa are as follows:

• You must score at least 70 points on the points-based system
• You must have been offered a job by a UK employer which holds a sponsorship licence
• Your prospective employer must give you your unique certificate of sponsorship number (You need to include this number in your application)
• The job offer must be a ‘genuine vacancy’ and at the appropriate skill level
• You must have been offered a minimum salary in line with your job role that meets the required threshold.
• You must be able to prove you meet the English language requirements. You should be able to understand and communicate in English to at least the level of B2 as set by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
• You must have the financial means to support yourself (and any family members/dependents who will be joining you) whilst you are in the UK

What Do I Need to Know About the Points-based System in UK?

The points-based system is used as a measure of eligibility for applicants of certain visas. The Skilled Workers Visa is one of those visas.

To be eligible for the Skilled Workers Visa, you must score 70 points on the points-based system. There are 50 points which are known as mandatory, meaning you must score these 50 points. These points are as follows:

• 20 points: Offer of a job from a UK company with a sponsorship licence
• 20 points: Job which is at the appropriate skill level for the role
• 10 points: English language ability which is at least at the level of B1

You can accrue further points through your salary, qualifications and job skill. These additional points are known as tradeable points.

Generally, the most simple way you can reach the 70-point threshold is through having a salary of at least £41,700 or at least the going rate for your profession (whichever is higher). This will give you an additional 20 points.

The tradeable points are as follows:

• Job in a shortage occupation (10 points)
• PhD in a subject relevant to the job (10 points)
• PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job (20 points)

How Can I Join my Family Member in the UK?

If you have family members in the UK, you might be able to join them in the UK through the process of reunification. You could be eligible for a UK Family Visa if your family member is a British or Irish citizen, or has settled status in the country and you are one of the following:

• A spouse/civil partner
• A long-term unmarried partner
• A child who is under 18
• A parent
• A relative who requires long-term care from UK-resident family member

The UK Spouse Visa is one of the most popular UK visas. If you are married to/in a civil partnership with your British-resident family member, you could be eligible for the visa.

With a Spouse Visa, you will be free to live and study in the UK without any restrictions. The Spouse Visa is valid for 30 months, and you can apply for a Spouse Visa extension which is valid for a further 30 months.

The main requirements for a Spouse Visa are as follows:

• You must be in a ‘genuine and subsisting’ relationship with your British-resident partner. (You will need to provide evidence to prove this).
• You must have a marriage/civil partnership certificate which is recognised in the UK.
• You must have met your partner at least once in-person, and be able to prove this.
• You need to be able to demonstrate that you have the financial means to support yourself. You must have a combined annual income of at least £29,000. If you have any children/dependents who will be joining you in the application, you must have an additional funds.
• You must have suitable accommodation to live in with your family whilst you are in the UK.
• You must be able to prove that you can understand and communicate in English. You can prove this through either an English degree either taught or researched in English (you will just need your degree certificate if you attained your degree from a UK university. If you attended a non-UK university then you will need a copy of your degree certificate and an AQUALS from Ecctis that confirms your degree is the equivalent of a UK degree).

What are the Other UK Family Visas?

There are other immigration permissions within the UK Family Visa category. If you are the long-term unmarried partner of a British or Irish citizen or person with settled status in the UK, you can apply for an Unmarried Partner Visa. There are certain visas that allow for you to move to the UK with a dependent (for example a child under 18, or someone you care for).

You can also apply for a Family Visa on the basis of providing care for your child. Your child must be under 18-years-old and a British or Irish citizen or person with settled status.

Children of a parent who is a British or Irish citizen or has settled status in the UK can apply to join their parent in the UK. If the child was born in the UK and is under 18-years-old, they will usually receive the same immigration permission as their parent. They can also join their parent in the UK if they are over 18 in certain circumstances.

If the child was born in Germany (or elsewhere) they must not be married or living an independent life if they are under 18. If they are over 18, they must not be living an independent life and must have got permission to stay in the UK when they were under 18.

You can also apply to join your family member in the UK if you require significant long-term care from them. Again, your family member must be a British or Irish citizen or a person with settled status in the UK. You could be eligible if you are the parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son or daughter of the British resident.

Can I Study in the UK as a German Citizen?

UK is a country with a rich educational history and tradition, including some of the oldest and most celebrated universities in the world. The UK is home to an average of over 485,000 international students in any given year, including many from Germany.

Prospective students from Germany will need to apply for the UK Student Visa to study in the UK.

You will need to score 50 points on the points-based system to be eligible for the UK Student Visa. It is relatively straightforward to meet the 50-point threshold.

• 50 points: Been offered a place on a course at an approved educational provider and received a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
• 10 points: Able to demonstrate that you can financially support yourself during your time in the UK
• 10 points: Able to prove that your English language ability is at least at the level of B2 as set by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (unless exempt)

The Student Visa fee is £558, making it one of the cheapest of all the UK visas. You will also need to pay the immigration health surcharge whilst you study in the UK. As a student, you will receive a discount on the surcharge, which means you will pay £776 annually for the health surcharge.

You may be able to switch from your current UK visa type to another such as a Study Visa, Skilled worker visa if you are already inside the UK on a valid, un-expired visa.

What is the Innovator Founder Visa in UK?

If you want to start a business in the UK, you can apply for Innovator founder visa. The Innovator Founder Visa is for experienced businesspeople who wish to start a business in the UK. You must have at least £50,000 to invest in your business and the business idea must have been endorsed by an approving body. You need to be able to show that your business idea is new, innovative and viable.

With the Innovator Founder Visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after three years of UK residency, depending on the level of business activity.

What is the Global Talent Visa?

EU citizens from Germany can apply for a Global Talent Visa if they are 18 and over and leaders or potential leaders in academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology. You will need to apply for an endorsement first unless you have won an eligible prestigious prize, allowing you to apply for the Global Talent Visa without an endorsement.

Do German Citizens need an ETA?

If you are visiting the UK for tourism, business meetings or short-term study, you will usually need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. If you’re moving to the UK on a visa or already hold UK immigration status, you do not need an ETA for that journey.

What is an eVisa?

Most successful UK visa applicants from Germany receive digital proof of their immigration status through an eVisa linked to their UKVI account. It is important to keep your passport details up to date in your account before travelling.

UK Visa Application Process from Germany

Usually, you will need to apply online for a UK visa. With most visas, you can begin the application process up to three months before you plan to arrive in the UK. For certain visas, such as the Student Visa, you can apply up to six months before you plan to arrive in the UK.

For any UK visa/immigration application, you will need to provide certain information and documents to prove your identity and your eligibility for that visa/immigration permission. There’s a chance that you will be able to keep your passport while your visa is being processed. Processing times will vary depending on the type of visa you have opted for. Find out more about your visa on our page specific website.

The specific documents which you will need to provide depends on the visa and your particular circumstances. That being said, if you want to move to the UK from Germany, you will need to provide the following information:

• Your passport/travel document
• Evidence demonstrating that you meet minimum financial requirements to support yourself (and any family members/dependents) in the UK
• Test certificate from an approved test provider indicating your level of English/a unique number (unless exempt)
• Certificate of sponsorship (for Work Visa applications)
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (for Student Visa applications)
• Marriage and birth certificates (for Family Visa applications)

You may be asked to verify certain documents as part of your application, but this is not always the case.

If you opted for a Health and Care visa, then you may be eligible to live and work in the UK for less than another applicant would on any other type of visa route. You will be exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge which costs £1035 per year (or £776 per year for applicants under 18 at the time of application or Study visa). This payment would total at £5,175 overall if you were on a 5 year visa route.

One of the requirements for any information which you submit is that it must be in English or Welsh. If your documents are in German (or any other language), they must be translated by an accredited translator. You need to include the translated versions and the original in your portfolio of evidence.

An important thing to note is that whatever visa pathway you are on, a criminal conviction could negatively impact your eligibility to naturalise as a British citizen. However, you may be able to extend your leave as a compromise. Speak to one of our advisors today to discuss your circumstances and next steps forward.

What are UK Visa Application Fees from Germany?

The UK visa application fees are:

• Route to settlement (this includes Spouse Visas and other Family Visas): £2,064
• Innovator Founder Visa: £1,357
• Skilled Worker Visa for three years of less: £819
• Skilled Worker Visa for over three years: £1,618
• Skilled Worker Visa for three years in shortage occupation: £628
• Skilled Worker Visa for over three years in shortage occupation: £1,235
• Skilled Worker Health and Care Visa for three years: £324
• Skilled Worker Health and Care Visa for over three years: £628
• Minister of Religion and International Sportsperson for three years: £819
• International Sportsperson for over one years: £819
• Graduate Trainee visa: £340
• Student Visa: £558

You will also need to pay an annual immigration health surcharge. The standard rate for the immigration health surcharge is £1035 per year. However, you might not need to pay as much, depending on your circumstances.

How Does Moving from Germany to UK Impact Tax Obligations?

Once you become a UK tax resident, you’ll generally pay UK tax on your worldwide income, although your exact position depends on your residency status and personal circumstances.

The UK and Germany have a Double Taxation Convention designed to prevent the same income from being taxed twice. This agreement sets out which country has the primary right to tax different types of income, such as employment earnings, pensions, dividends and rental income. If you continue to receive income from Germany after moving, you may need to declare it to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), even if tax has already been paid in Germany.

If you plan to work for a UK employer, income tax and National Insurance contributions are usually deducted automatically through the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) system. If you’re self-employed or receive untaxed income, you may need to register with HMRC and submit an annual Self Assessment tax return.

If you’re moving to the UK permanently, it’s also worth considering how the move affects your German tax residency, social security contributions and any investments or property you continue to own in Germany. Because cross-border tax rules can be complex, many people choose to seek professional tax advice before or shortly after relocating to ensure they meet their obligations in both countries.

Cost of Moving to the UK from Germany

The cost of moving to the UK from Germany will vary depending on your circumstances and the purpose of your move. 

To estimate the overall cost, you must consider the cost of your visa, immigration health surcharge, relocation (the actual physical move fee), transport, storage, accommodation, car purchase, and the cost of living in the UK in general.

Relocation Assistance for Foreign Nationals Moving to the UK

Relocating from Germany to the UK can be intimidating. IAS aims to make the relocation process stress-free by offering relocation services to support individuals and families throughout their journey.

The relocation services we offer include:

• Property finding
• Visa and immigration support
• School search assistance
• Document translation 
• Travel booking
• Pet Relocation
• Shipping and logistics
• Language and cultural support

Can the Immigration Advice Service Help me with My Application?

Immigration Advice Service offers expert support with UK visa/immigration applications with our industry-leading application package. We offer application assistance in all areas of UK immigration law.

With this service, one of our experienced immigration lawyers will work with you through the entire application process. They will take the time to understand your own unique circumstances and will help you to prepare your portfolio of evidence, ensuring it contains all required information and documents and adheres to all necessary Home Office administrative standards.

Once your portfolio of evidence is ready to be submitted, we will complete your application form before submitting your full application to the Home Office. We will also write a letter of recommendation to accompany your application, highlighting the merits of your case.

We will liaise with the Home Office throughout the processing stage and will keep you informed of your application’s progress.

With our application package, you can rest assured that your application will have the greatest possible chance of success.

To find out more about our application package and how we can help you to secure your move from Germany to the UK, please call us now on +44 (0)333 414 9244.