If you’re planning to conduct business in Germany, you may be wondering if you need to apply for a Germany Business visa. Since it’s a short-stay visa, the answer depends on your nationality.
There are 62 countries currently under the visa-waiver program whose residents aren’t required to apply for a Germany Business visa, including those in the Schengen Area, which encompasses the majority of nations in Europe. Some of the other countries covered by the waiver include the United States, Australia, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, and Japan.
According to Germany’s short-stay entry rules, the residents of those 62 countries are permitted to enter Germany visa-free for a business trip and remain there for a period of 90 days within six months. During this period, visitors can engage in business activities, but are not permitted to work.
If you’re from the European Union or the EFTA (European Free Trade Association) Member States (including Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland), you can enter and work in Germany freely, provided you meet all of the required eligibility criteria.
Citizens whose home country is not part of the waiver program will be required to obtain a German Business visa in order to enter the country.
There are slight distinctions between the two types of visas. A Schengen visa is a type of visa that allows individuals to visit countries within the Schengen Area, consisting of 26 nations that have eliminated passport and border control requirements at their shared borders, for up to 90 days for tourism or business reasons.
There are several types of Schengen visas, and which one you need depends on the purpose of the visit. They include:
A Germany Business visa is a type of Schengen visa that permits the holder to travel to and remain in Germany for up to 90 days within a span of 180 days. The visa is specifically for engaging in business activities such as attending meetings, conferences, and trade shows, or signing contracts with other companies. It’s designed for individuals who don’t plan on working long-term in Germany.
To apply for a Germany Business visa, you must provide the following required documents:
Processing time for a Germany Business visa is approximately 10 to 15 days, so applicants should begin the visa application process at least three weeks prior to the departure date of their trip.
No, a Germany Business visa doesn’t allow someone to launch a new business in the country. This short-term Schengen visa only allows representatives of businesses that have been up and running in the country for a significant period of time to conduct vital business activities in Germany.
If you wish to hire remote employees in Germany but don’t want to establish a permanent entity, you can seek help from an Employer of Record (EOR). An EOR is able to legally employ workers on another company’s behalf.
If you want to work as a self-employed person in Germany, you must apply for the Visum zur Selbstständigkeit visa, also known as a self-employment visa.
Generally, no. Businesses may not employ people who are already Schengen visa holders and are visiting Germany for short-term tourist purposes or business-related work. In addition, businesses may never employ Schengen visa holders in Germany if the required stay is longer than 90 days. However, companies can legally hire contractors in Germany on a Schengen visa for a term of three months or less.
When hiring employees in Germany, it’s essential for employers to first verify their eligibility, which includes:
There are several employment laws employers must adhere to in Germany, including requirements around annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, parental leave, and work-related injury leave, to name a few. Non-compliance can lead to a range of consequences, such as:
One way for businesses to avoid the pitfalls of non-compliance with German employment laws is by partnering with an EOR like Remofirst. We assist companies hire and manage employees in Germany and 180+ other countries without the need to learn the nuances of local employment laws. You identify the remote candidate you want to hire, and we’ll take care of all of the international HR, global payroll, and benefits for your employees.
Want to learn more about how easy it is to hire and manage a global team? Request a demo today to learn how Remofirst can help.
Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for informational purposes only, and should not be considered as legal advice.