What do you need?
A visa or residence permit does not automatically mean that every job is allowed. Check what your document and, if there is one, the supplementary sheet say.
Important: check your authorisation before you start work
If you do not have EU/EEA/Swiss freedom of movement, you may only work in Germany if your residence status allows that activity. If your visa, residence permit or supplementary sheet contains restrictions, you must observe them. Only start the job once it is clear that exactly this activity is allowed.
- Working without the required authorisation is not permitted.
- Your employer also has to check whether you may be employed.
First look at your document
Your visa or residence permit has to show whether you may work and whether restrictions apply. Pay special attention to:
- Remarks („Anmerkungen“)
- Ancillary provisions („Nebenbestimmungen“)
- Supplementary sheet („Zusatzblatt“)
Electronic residence permit (eAT)
With an electronic residence permit, notes about employment are often found under the remarks on the card or on an accompanying supplementary sheet. Possible wordings are for example:
- „Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet“: employment permitted
- „Erwerbstätigkeit siehe Zusatzblatt“: employment: see supplementary sheet
- These are only examples. Other wordings exist. A single phrase does not give binding information about your case.
Does it say „siehe Zusatzblatt“?
Then an additional document belongs to your residence permit. It can describe in more detail which employment is allowed and which restrictions apply.
- Always check the card and the supplementary sheet together.
Are there restrictions?
Depending on the residence permit, restrictions may refer to:
- a specific activity
- a specific employer
- the extent of the employment
- other specific conditions
Not sure?
If the permission is unclear or restricted, do not simply start working before the question is settled.
- Check your visa or residence permit and any supplementary sheet together.
- Show the documents to your HR department.
- If the permission or a restriction is unclear, clarify it with the responsible immigration office.
Terms on this page
Tap a word. The terms stay in German so you recognise them in letters and forms.
This is orientation, not legal advice. Please check the details at the official source.
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