Cost of Moving to Germany on a Work Visa (2026)
The mandatory government fees are small: the visa application costs €75, and the optional fast-track procedure adds €411 (paid by your employer). If you apply for the Chancenkarte without a job offer, you must also demonstrate financial means of €13,092, but that is your own money held in a blocked account and returned to you monthly after arrival. Relocation costs (flights, deposits, health insurance) vary widely and are not set by law; figures for those are marked as estimates below.
Last updated: 2026-06-25. All statutory figures sourced from Auswärtiges Amt and AufenthG.
Verified costs at a glance
Visa application fee
€75
Both Blue Card and Chancenkarte
Fast-track (§ 81a)
+€411
Paid by employer · optional
Chancenkarte Sperrkonto
€13,092
Your money · returned monthly
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The EU Blue Card reaches permanent residence in 21 months (B1 German) or 27 months (A1), under § 18c(2) AufenthG as of 1 March 2024.
No email required to see your result.
EU Blue Card: cost breakdown
The Blue Card is a work visa. You already have a job offer above the salary threshold, so there is no Sperrkonto requirement. The mandatory costs are the visa fee and, optionally, the fast-track procedure fee.
| Cost item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National visa application fee | €75 | Paid at the consulate appointment. Source: Auswärtiges Amt. |
| Fast-track Vorabzustimmung (§ 81a) | €411 | Optional. Paid by your German employer, not by you. Guarantees appointment within 3 weeks of approval. |
| ZAB Zeugnisbewertung (credential evaluation) | €208 | Only needed if your university is H+/- in anabin and your degree is not individually listed. Fee set by Berlin state regulation; last updated June 2024. Source: zab.kmk.org. |
| Certified document translations | Varies | Indian missions generally accept English documents. Specific documents filed by your German employer are in German. Confirm with the relevant mission. |
| Biometric passport photos | Varies | Required at the appointment. Local studio cost; not set by law. |
| Residence permit card (eAT) after arrival | €100 | Statutory fee for issuing an Aufenthaltserlaubnis or Blaue Karte EU of any validity period. Source: § 45 AufenthV. Reduced rates apply in specific cases (e.g. minors, § 45a AufenthV exceptions), confirm with your local ABH. |
Statutory fees sourced from: Auswärtiges Amt visa service, § 47 AufenthV (visa fee), § 45 AufenthV (eAT issuance fee), and zab.kmk.org (ZAB evaluation fee).
Chancenkarte: cost breakdown
The Chancenkarte is a job-search visa. You enter Germany without an employer, which means the German government requires you to prove you can support yourself for 12 months. The Sperrkonto is the most common way to do this. The application fee is the same as the Blue Card.
| Cost item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National visa application fee | €75 | Identical to the Blue Card. Paid at the consulate appointment. |
| Sperrkonto deposit (financial proof) | €13,092 | Full 12-month requirement under § 20a(4) AufenthG: €1,091 × 12. This is your money, released at €1,091/month after arrival. Not a fee. |
| Sperrkonto account setup fee | Provider-set | Not a statutory fee. Each provider (Fintiba, Coracle, Deutsche Bank, others) sets its own one-time setup fee and may charge a small monthly fee. Check each provider's current schedule before opening an account. |
| Language test certificate (if required) | Varies | Route 2 (points system) requires German A1 or English B2. Goethe-Institut A1 and IELTS/TOEFL are accepted. Fee varies by test and location. |
| ZAB Zeugnisbewertung | €208 | For Route 1 (direct recognition), your degree must be fully recognised. If it is not, a ZAB evaluation is required. Fee: €208, set by Berlin state regulation (last updated June 2024). Source: zab.kmk.org. |
| Fast-track Vorabzustimmung (§ 81a) | €411 | Optional. Paid by a German employer, but Chancenkarte applicants do not yet have an employer. Generally not applicable for this visa. |
Sources: § 20a(4) AufenthG (financial means); Auswärtiges Amt visa fee schedule (application fee); § 20a AufenthG (fast-track applicability).
Blue Card vs Chancenkarte: verified costs compared
| Item | Blue Card | Chancenkarte |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee | €75 | €75 |
| Fast-track option (§ 81a) | €411 (employer pays) | Generally not applicable |
| Sperrkonto deposit required | None (job offer fulfils this) | €13,092 |
| Language test required | None | A1 German or B2 English (Route 2) |
| ZAB evaluation (if needed) | €208 (if required) | €208 (if required) |
| Salary threshold (job offer) | €45,934.20 (IT) / €50,700 (other) | None required |
Not sure which visa fits your situation? Read the full Blue Card vs Chancenkarte comparison.
Worked example: Aarav's Blue Card move from Bengaluru to Berlin
Profile
Aarav Mehta, 27, Backend Software Engineer, Bengaluru.
Degree: B.Tech in Computer Science, NIT Surathkal (2020). NIT Surathkal is rated H+ in anabin; the B.Tech CS programme is listed as "entspricht einem deutschen Hochschulabschluss." No ZAB Zeugnisbewertung needed.
Job offer: Senior Backend Engineer at a Berlin fintech, €57,000 gross/year, 24-month contract. Salary is above both the shortage threshold of €45,934.20 and the general threshold of €50,700 under §18g(1) AufenthG.
| Cost item | Aarav pays |
|---|---|
| Visa application feePaid at German Consulate General Bengaluru. | €75 |
| Fast-track § 81a procedureEmployer pays the €411 fee directly. | €0 |
| ZAB ZeugnisbewertungNIT Surathkal is H+ and the degree is listed, no ZAB evaluation needed. | €0 |
| SperrkontoNot required for Blue Card applicants with a qualifying job offer. | €0 |
| Apostille on documentsGerman missions in India do not accept apostille, Aarav does not pay for it. | €0 |
| Passport photos (consulate requirement)Biometric photos taken locally in Bengaluru. | Varies |
| Residence permit card / eAT (after arrival, ABH Berlin)Statutory fee under § 45 AufenthV for issuance of Blaue Karte EU. Reduced rates may apply in specific cases; confirm with ABH Berlin. | €100 |
| Verified mandatory government fees (paid by Aarav) | €75 |
Aarav's total mandatory government fee is €75. His employer covers the §81a fast-track fee of €411. Relocation costs (flights from Bengaluru, first-month rent and deposit in Berlin, health insurance) are real but not set by law; they vary by city, timing, and personal circumstances and are not included above.
Common money-wasting mistakes
Apostille on Indian documents
The Federal Foreign Office suspended legalisation requirements for Indian documents. German missions in India do not require apostille on degree certificates or mark sheets. The source is the Auslandsportal guidance published by the German missions. Paying for MEA apostille is wasted money.
ZAB evaluation when anabin is sufficient
A ZAB Zeugnisbewertung is only needed when your university is rated H+/- in anabin and your specific degree is not individually listed, or when your institution is not in anabin at all. If your university is H+ and your degree appears as 'entspricht' or 'gleichwertig', the consulate accepts it directly. Ordering a ZAB evaluation 'just to be safe' costs time and money you do not need to spend.
Paying a service to open a Sperrkonto you don't need
Blue Card applicants do not need a Sperrkonto. The Blue Card requires a job offer above the salary threshold (€45,934.20 for IT roles, €50,700 for others under §18g AufenthG), that job offer is the financial proof. Only Chancenkarte applicants, who arrive without a job, need the Sperrkonto.
Using a visa agent for a straightforward application
When your degree is clearly recognised (H+ with listed degree), your salary clears the threshold, and your employer provides the Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis form, the Blue Card application is procedurally straightforward. Paying an agent adds cost without adding legal standing. A qualified immigration lawyer is a different matter, worth considering if your anabin situation is unclear or you are using the §18g(2) IT exception route.
Funding a Sperrkonto with less than the full amount
Under §20a(4) AufenthG, the consulate requires financial means of €1,091 per month for the duration of your Chancenkarte. The standard Sperrkonto approach loads the full €13,092 (12 months) upfront. Funding it with a partial amount and expecting to top it up later is not an accepted method, the full sum must be in the account before the consulate issues the visa.
The Sperrkonto: what it is and how it works
A Sperrkonto (blocked account) is a bank account held in your name in Germany, funded before your visa application, where the money is "blocked", you cannot withdraw it freely. After you arrive, the account releases exactly €1,091 each month. It is not a fee. It is not lost. It is your money, structured to satisfy the consulate's requirement under §20a(4) AufenthG that you can support yourself during the job-search period.
The statutory requirement
- Monthly minimum: €1,091
- Total for 12 months: €13,092
- Legal basis: §20a(4) AufenthG
- Year: 2026
Account setup fee
Each provider (Fintiba, Coracle, Deutsche Bank, others) charges its own one-time setup fee and may add a small monthly fee. This is not a statutory amount, it is set by the provider and subject to change. Check each provider's current schedule before opening an account.
Alternatives to the Sperrkonto: a Verpflichtungserklärung (formal undertaking) from a Germany-resident sponsor who commits to covering your costs, or a part-time employment contract already arranged in Germany that brings your income to the €1,091/month threshold. The Sperrkonto is the most common route for applicants without existing ties in Germany.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the German work visa application cost?
The national visa application fee is €75 for both the EU Blue Card and the Chancenkarte (§ 47 AufenthV). This is the consulate fee paid at the time of your appointment. If you use the fast-track procedure (§ 81a Vorabzustimmung), there is an additional fee of €411 charged to your German employer.
How much money do I need in a Sperrkonto for the Chancenkarte?
Under § 20a(4) AufenthG, Chancenkarte applicants must demonstrate financial means of at least €1,091 per month. The standard method is a blocked account (Sperrkonto) loaded with €13,092, the full 12-month amount. This money is held in the account and released at €1,091 per month once you arrive in Germany. Providers such as Fintiba, Coracle, and Deutsche Bank each charge their own one-time setup fee; this is not a statutory amount, so check each provider's current schedule before opening an account.
Do I need to pay for apostille on my Indian documents?
No. The Federal Foreign Office has suspended the legalisation requirement for Indian documents. German missions in India do not require apostille on degree certificates or mark sheets. Paying for MEA apostille is wasted money for India-to-Germany applicants. Source: Auslandsportal guidance from German missions in India.
Does the Sperrkonto money count towards my moving costs?
The €13,092 Sperrkonto deposit is not a fee, it is your own money, returned to you monthly after arrival. However, it does require that you have this amount available and liquid before you apply. The account setup fee charged by the provider is a real cost. It is not a statutory amount; each provider (Fintiba, Coracle, Deutsche Bank, others) sets its own fee. Check each provider's current schedule before opening an account.
What does a ZAB Zeugnisbewertung cost?
The ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education) charges €208 for a Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung). This fee is set by Berlin state regulation and was last updated in June 2024. Source: zab.kmk.org/en/statement-comparability/fees. A ZAB evaluation is only needed if your university is rated H+/- in anabin and your specific degree is not listed, or if your institution is not in anabin at all.
Is the fast-track § 81a procedure worth the extra €411?
The § 81a Vorabzustimmung guarantees a consulate appointment within three weeks of the approval being issued. The €411 fee is paid by your German employer, not by you. For applicants who need to start work quickly, or whose employer is running a competitive hiring process, the speed benefit typically outweighs the cost. The standard procedure can take 8–12 weeks for an appointment alone.
Can I work while my Chancenkarte application is pending?
No. You cannot begin work in Germany before your Chancenkarte is issued. The visa is specifically for entering Germany to search for a job. Once you are in Germany on the Chancenkarte, you may work up to 20 hours per week (§ 20a AufenthG) without BA approval, and you may do trial employment (Probebeschäftigung) for up to 2 weeks per employer.
Which visa costs less to apply for, the Blue Card or the Chancenkarte?
The application fee is identical: €75 for both (§ 47 AufenthV). The difference is in the financial proof requirement. Blue Card applicants do not need a Sperrkonto because they already have a job offer above the salary threshold. Chancenkarte applicants must fund a €13,092 Sperrkonto (or equivalent financial proof) because they are entering Germany without a job.
Free · No login required · 90 seconds
Check your eligibility in 90 seconds
GermanyTalent applies the official rules to your actual degree, experience, and points, then gives you a personalised result with exactly what to prepare.
The EU Blue Card reaches permanent residence in 21 months (B1 German) or 27 months (A1), under § 18c(2) AufenthG as of 1 March 2024.
No email required to see your result.
Related guides
Sources
- § 20a AufenthG, Chancenkarte (financial means, work rights, duration)
- § 18g AufenthG, EU Blue Card (salary thresholds, eligibility)
- Auswärtiges Amt, Visa fees and service
- Make it in Germany, EU Blue Card
- Make it in Germany, Chancenkarte
- BAMF, Entry and residence for work
- KMK/ZAB, Statement of Comparability (Zeugnisbewertung)
- ZAB, Fees for Zeugnisbewertung (€208, updated June 2024)
- § 45 AufenthV, Fee schedule for residence permits (eAT issuance: €100)
Last updated: 2026-06-25. Statutory figures verified against §20a AufenthG, §18g AufenthG, and Auswärtiges Amt.