Residence permit for foreign civil servants
All information on the residence status of foreign civil servants in Germany.
Here you learn ...
what residence rules apply to foreign civil servants
whether foreigners can become civil servants in Germany
how the visa procedure for foreign officials works
everything about the settlement permit for foreign civil servants
Table of Content
1. Visa as a foreign official
2. Can foreigners be German civil servants?
3. Visa procedures for foreign officials
4. Residence permit for civil servants
5. Conclusion Visa Officials
1. Visa as a foreign official
Foreign civil servants employed by a German employer benefit from special residence regulations in Germany. According to Section 19c, Paragraph 4 of the Residence Act, they can obtain a residence permit under simplified conditions. Important: This regulation applies exclusively to foreign civil servants in German service and not to diplomats or consular officers working for foreign countries.
Legal changes have further improved the framework for this group of individuals. Similar to skilled workers and highly qualified specialists, foreign civil servants can now benefit from simplified regulations regarding the reunification of spouses and other privileges . These privileges underscore the special status of foreign civil servants under German residency law and make Germany a particularly attractive place to work for international administrative professionals.
2. Can foreigners be German civil servants?
It is a common misconception that foreigners cannot be German civil servants. Foreigners (especially EU foreigners) can, under certain conditions, become civil servants in Germany . Contrary to widespread assumption, neither the Basic Law nor central laws such as the Federal Civil Service Act ( Section 7 Paragraph 3 BBG ) or the Civil Service Status Act ( Section 7 Paragraph 3 BeamtStG ) contain a general restriction that only allows German citizens access to civil service status. Although German citizenship is still a prerequisite in many cases, there are exceptions that allow access, in particular for EU citizens and – in special cases – for third-country nationals.
Particularly in higher education , as well as for academic and artistic staff, the appointment of foreign specialists as civil servants is possible. This regulation reflects the growing internationalization of research and teaching and creates a clear legal basis for the integration of qualified foreigners into the civil service. This opening not only promotes expertise from abroad but also strengthens Germany as a center of science. Therefore, anyone with the relevant qualifications and a desire to teach or research at a German university, for example, has a realistic chance of being appointed to a civil service position even without German citizenship.
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3. Visa for civil servants in Germany
Foreign nationals who are civil servants employed by a German employer can easily obtain a residence permit for Germany under Section 19c, Paragraph 4 of the Residence Act . This special regulation allows the residence permit to be issued without the otherwise required approval of the Federal Employment Agency . The prerequisite is that the foreign civil servant fulfills their official duties in Germany. Apart from that, the general requirements for issuing a residence permit under Section 5 of the Residence Act must also be met. These include, for example, fulfilling the passport requirement and having a secure livelihood .
Residence permits for foreign civil servants are generally issued for three years , unless the underlying employment relationship is for a shorter period. This comparatively generous regulation provides planning security and facilitates the start of a career in the German civil service. For authorities wishing to employ foreign specialists, as well as for the civil servants themselves, this process represents a clearly regulated and efficient path to legal employment in Germany.
4. Residence permit for foreign civil servants
Foreign civil servants employed by a German employer benefit from a special settlement permit regulation. A settlement permit can be granted after just three years of service as a civil servant. The decisive factor is that the civil service relationship has been continuous . This exception allows for a settlement permit to be granted significantly earlier than the regular five-year period pursuant to Section 9 (2) Sentence 1 No. 1 of the Residence Act.
Another advantage for foreign civil servants: There is no legal obligation to pay contributions to statutory pension insurance or a comparable retirement plan. However, if a foreign national was already employed subject to compulsory pension insurance before becoming a civil servant, these periods can be added to the civil service months to achieve the required 60 contribution months for subsequent insurance. This ensures full pension entitlement even in the event of termination of their civil service status. This is particularly relevant, for example, for academic staff who later become civil servants as junior professors.
Summary of this Page
Germany offers foreign civil servants attractive and clearly regulated opportunities for residence and career prospects in the public service. Thanks to Section 19c Paragraph 4 of the Residence Act, foreign civil servants can obtain a visa and residence permit under simplified conditions – without the approval of the Federal Employment Agency. Family reunification is also simplified. Contrary to popular belief, foreigners can become civil servants under certain conditions – particularly for EU citizens and qualified third-country nationals, for example in higher education. After just three years as a civil servant, there is also the possibility of obtaining a settlement permit – a clear advantage over the usual five years. These special regulations make Germany an attractive place to work for international specialists in the civil service. Anyone who wants to work in Germany as a foreign civil servant benefits from legal security, attractive conditions, and long-term prospects.
