Residence of Israeli citizens
All information on the stay of Israeli citizens in Germany and on visa applications from Israel.
Here you learn ...
which special entry regulations apply to Israelis
when Israeli citizens can get a long-term visa
how Israelis apply for a residence permit in Berlin
which special regulations apply to Jewish immigrants
Author
Lawyer
Reading Time
11 Min.
Release Date
22.02.2025
Table of Content
1. Visa-free entry to Israel
2nd stay of Israelis in Germany
2.1 Stay up to 90 days
2.2 No work during visa-free stay
3. Apply for a visa at the embassy in Tel Aviv
4. Residence permit for Israeli citizens in Berlin
5. Special regulations for Jewish immigrants
6. FAQ Immigration Israel
Due to the close political and cultural relations between Israel and Germany, Israeli citizens enjoy special advantages when applying for residence permits . This privilege is not limited to visa-free entry to Germany (see the Federal Foreign Office's visa list). Rather, unlike other people who can enter the country without a visa, Israeli citizens are entitled to apply for their residence permit directly on site in Germany . While citizens of other countries must first obtain a visa from the German diplomatic mission in their home country for permanent residence, Israeli citizens can enter the country without a prior visa in accordance with Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance and apply for a residence permit directly to the responsible immigration authority in Germany.
1. Visa-free entry to Israel
Visa-free entry into Germany for Israeli citizens requires that they meet the general entry requirements in accordance with the Schengen Borders Code (Article 6 of EU Regulation 2016/399). This primarily includes carrying a valid passport , which should contain at least one blank data page, as Israeli citizens also receive an entry stamp upon entry. In addition, those entering from Israel must credibly justify the purpose of their stay at the border and prove that they can financially secure their stay in Germany. For a business trip, for example, this means that an invitation letter from the inviting company and a booking confirmation for the accommodation must be presented.
2nd stay of Israelis in Germany
2.1 Stay up to 90 days
Israeli citizens may stay in Germany for up to 90 days within a 180-day period after their visa-free entry in accordance with Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance. The EU Commission provides the so-called "Schengen calculator" to calculate this 90-day period precisely. If an application for a residence permit is submitted to the relevant immigration authority during the visa-free stay, the stay can be extended beyond the 90 days. In this case, the so-called "fictitious effect" applies in accordance with Section 81 Paragraph 3 of the Residence Act, whereby the stay is considered legal until the immigration authority makes a final decision. A fictitious certificate can also be issued for the period until the decision is made. You can find detailed information on this in our VISAGUARD guide to applying for the fictitious certificate.
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2.2 No work during visa-free stay
Israeli citizens are only permitted to enter Germany without a visa if they do not take up employment . For any form of employment, regardless of the foreigner's origin - even in privileged states such as Israel - either a visa or a residence permit is required (Section 4a, Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act). An exception is the so-called " non-employment fiction " pursuant to Section 30 of the Employment Ordinance. This regulation allows Israeli citizens to carry out certain activities during their visa-free stay, but these are very limited. Frequently used activities that do not require a permit include business trips or attending trade fairs.
However, it should be noted that making use of the non-employment fiction is associated with risks. If the permissible scope of work without a permit is exceeded, this constitutes illegal employment, which can be punished with significant sanctions (see our VISAGUARD information on illegal employment of foreigners). Our independent VISAGUARD experts will be happy to advise you individually on whether your planned activity as an Israeli citizen in Germany requires a work permit.
3. Apply for a visa at the embassy in Tel Aviv
If you, as an Israeli national, intend to take up full-time employment in Germany, it is generally recommended that you apply for an appropriate visa at the German Embassy in Tel Aviv before entering the country. Detailed information on the required documents and the application process can be found on the official website of the German Embassy in Tel Aviv .
As soon as you have collected the documents, you can book a visa appointment in the so-called RK visa . After the embassy in Tel Aviv has issued the visa, you can enter Germany and pursue your employment here. You can find more information on this in our VISAGUARD guide to applying for a visa .
4. Residence permit for Israeli citizens in Berlin
If you are already in Germany and want to apply for a residence permit as an Israeli citizen, you must contact your relevant immigration authority . In Berlin, for example, residence permits for Israeli citizens are issued by the State Office for Immigration (LEA). The State Office for Immigration provides special information for Israeli citizens on its website . If you, as an Israeli citizen, want to apply for a residence permit from the Berlin immigration authority in accordance with Section 26 Paragraph 1 of the Residence Ordinance, you must submit the following documents:
Valid passport
employment contract
rental agreement with indication of living space
Proof of monthly rent (e.g. bank statement)#
proof of your health insurance
The collected documents must then be submitted using the LEA contact form . The immigration office will then give you an appointment. Booking an appointment is no longer possible in Berlin (see VISAGUARD blog post on the abolition of the appointment system in Berlin ).
Do you have Questions about your Visa-Case?
Our cooperating lawyers for visa and residence issues will answer all your questions in a video call. Of course, our independent experts are also happy to support you in residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities and administrative courts in Germany.
Contact us to book an initial consultation on your case with a German visa lawyer ! You will receive a reply within 24 hours (on workingdays).
5. Special regulations for Jewish immigrants
Due to Germany's historical responsibility for Israel's right to exist, various privileges apply to the immigration of Jews to Germany (see Decree No. 01/2006: Order pursuant to Section 23 Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) on the granting of residence to Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union - with the exception of the Baltic states). In this respect, Jewish people in Germany can receive a settlement permit under simplified regulations if they have received a corresponding acceptance letter (Section 23 Paragraph 2 of the Residence Act). Accepted family members who do not themselves meet the requirements for acceptance as a Jewish immigrant receive a residence permit in accordance with Section 23 Paragraph 1 of the Residence Act. The residence permit is initially limited to one year and then extended for two years at a time. The special regulations for Jewish immigrants in Germany are very complex in specific individual cases. One of our VISAGUARD experts will be happy to advise you on the requirements for issuing a residence permit for Jewish immigrants .
6. FAQ Immigration Israel
Are Israeli nationals affected by the new ETIAS regulations?
Yes, since Israeli nationals can enter visa-free, they will be subject to the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) from mid-2025.
How long does a visa process from Israel take?
The visa procedures in Israel are comparatively fast. Most of the time, visa procedures from Tel Aviv can be completed within 2 - 4 months if our VISAGUARD tips for speeding up visa procedures are followed .
What is the success rate for visa applications from Israel?
Due to the various privileges for foreigners from Israel, the success rate for visa applications is more than 90% if the requirements are met.
Summary of this Page
On this page you have learned about the special visa and residence regulations that apply to Israelis in Germany. Israeli citizens are citizens of the so-called “Best Friends States” and as such can enter Germany without a visa, apply for a residence permit here (Section 41 of the Residence Ordinance) and work without having a formally recognized qualification (Section 26 Paragraph 1 of the Employment Ordinance).
