For the nationals of third countries ( non EU / EEA countries ) a residence permit / Aufenthaltstitel is required to live or work in Germany. If you already have a German national visa, converting it to a residence permit is rather easy. Is a residence permit required for me? It depends; your nationality and the duration of stay depends on whether you need to apply for a residence permit at all. The Citizens of EU / EEA member countries are exempted from the requirement of having a visa or residence permit in Germany. Citizens of these countries can freely travel, live or work in Germany without a visa or residence permit. However, they are obliged to register at the local citizen’s office / Bürgeramt if they stay in Germany for more than 90 days. While the citizens of Switzerland are free to travel within the EU, they are required to apply for a residence permit for the purpose of living or work at the local Foreigner’s office / Ausländerbehörde Citizens of non EU / EEA countries Citizens from the countries that are not part of the EU and EEA may need to apply for a German residence permit depending on their nationality. Tourists and business travellers who leave the country within 90 days of arrival don't need a residence permit. That doesn't mean that you don't need a visa. You may have to apply for a Schengen visa depending on your nationality. However, If you plan to work in Germany, even if your period of stay is less than 90 days, you need to apply for a German national visa and then convert it into a residence permit. Longer stays If your stay in Germany exceeds 90 days, you need a residence permit. However, if you are nationals of the USA, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, you can enter Germany without a visa and then apply for a residence permit in Germany. A German national visa is required for the citizens of other countries and it has to be applied at the German consulate or embassy in your home country (or sometimes in the country you reside if not living in the home country while applying for the visa) before you can travel to Germany. The residence permit can be applied at your local foreigner’s office once you arrive. Different types of German residence permits Three types of residence permits are issued in Germany. Temporary residence permit / Aufenthaltserlaubnis This is a one year valid permit and extendable as long as your circumstances stay the same. This residence permit is issued for a limited period of time and for specific purposes. This may be applied to attend training or take up employment. Staying for family reasons is also possible and is relevant for those seeking protection, especially in the context of family reunification. Permanent residence permit / Niederlassungserlaubnis You are entitled to apply for a permanent residence permit after completing a certain period of time in Germany. This is generally five years but people with certain highly-qualified skills or the graduates of German universities may get an exception. The permanent residence permit gives you the right to stay in Germany without a time restriction. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

To work as a pharmacist in Germany, you will need the permit to practice as a pharmacist otherwise known as approbation. Currently, Germany has one of the most employable healthcare sectors in the world. As long as you have a license as a pharmacist and meet certain conditions, you should have no trouble finding employment. How to become a Pharmacist in Germany There are two options to become a pharmacist in Germany. Study pharmacy in Germany in a German university Migrate to Germany as an experienced Pharmacist Study Pharmacy in a German university This is probably the most expensive way to become a pharmacist in Germany. However, the chances of getting hired in a German hospital, apotheke or other organizations are much higher than the other options. It is the same process as coming to Germany to study any other courses. As soon as you’ve completed your higher secondary school, you can explore diploma or degree courses in pharmacy in Germany and start applying. In addition, you may be able to get scholarships that cover your entire stay in Germany, including your flight tickets, accommodation, and health insurance. Therefore, don’t forget to explore how to get a scholarship in Germany. Migrate to Germany as a professional Pharmacist If you have completed your degree in Pharmacy in a non EU member state or Switzerland, you need to get your academic credentials recognized in Germany. The process evaluates whether your education is equivalent to a German degree. Those who have earned degrees in another country are entitled to have their degrees equivalence assessed. It will be easier if you have already had your degree recognized in an EU-member country. The process for assessing equivalency As part of the equivalency assessment, the competent authorities compare your degree with the corresponding German degree to determine whether the two are comparable in terms of content or duration. If there are no significant differences, the authorities will certify equivalency. You don't receive a German degree certificate. However, it grants you the same legal rights as someone who has completed the corresponding degree in Germany. Pharmacist degree recognition Procedure in Germany To understand the procedure easily, the information portal of the German government for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research has prepared a very detailed documentation in English. Documents required for the recognition procedure in Germany To start with you need to translate your degree certificates and your experience certificates to German. You can find translation services in your home country which might be cheaper. However, make sure that they are certified translators for official purposes. Alternatively, here’s a list of translation services listed in muenchen.de, an official website of the city of Munich. In addition to the application form, the following documents and additional supporting evidences must be submitted: Proof of identity - copy of passport Proof of work experience, education, and training If applicable, evidence of your right to practice in your country of origin Fitness certificate from a certified doctor Certificate of good conduct (Führungszeugnis) from a certified doctor Proof of German language skills. Please note that you only need to send the certified translations of your certificates for the recognition process. The competent authority will let you know if they need to see any original documents. The cost of your degree recognition process will be depending on the state you choose. The corresponding competent authority will inform you about the actual costs. When your degree is only partially recognized in Germany If substantial differences between your education and the German standard are determined, you can prove that you have the occupational knowledge and skills necessary to practice the pharmacist profession as per paragraph 3 of the Federal Pharmacists Regulation by taking the assessment exam. The assessment exam’s content is similar to that of the final state exams for German pharmacists. It covers the pharmaceutical practices as well as some legal points related to pharmacies. Additionally, it will touch the subject that was determined to have considerable differences by the competent authority. As per our research, the classes offered to intern pharmacists (PhiP) to prepare for this exam could help you too. The pharmacist's chamber offers the classes to help the pharmacist trainees to prepare for their state exams. You can get more information from the Chamber of Pharmacists in the state where you wish to work. You may also apply for a permit to practice pharmacy in Germany for a period of up to two years. This Permit is granted to persons who have completed pharmacy studies outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. However, you may be limited to certain types of activities. In general, you may be restricted to working in a specific pharmacy or under the supervision of another pharmacist. Please note that the permit does not represent the recognition of your degree or qualifications obtained in a foreign country. It does not, however, prevent you from receiving approbation too! You can only practice limited tasks during this practice period. You can, however, gain first-hand practical experience while preparing for the language or other assessment exams. German language skills required to become a pharmacist in Germany In order to obtain approbation as a pharmacist, your general and occupational German language skills must be sufficient. It is required that you have a level B2 knowledge of German according to the Common European Reference Framework. Additionally, you must pass the specialist language examination at level C1. The specialist language examination is administered by the chamber of pharmacists in most federal states. You are not required to prove language skills when initially submitting the application for approbation. It is sufficient to prove these during the process. The occupational language exam has no effect on the process of having your degree and education recognized and pharmaceutical knowledge is not tested as part of this examination. It is, however, not too difficult to learn German these days. You can find many courses online or you can even come to Germany for a short period to learn the language if you find that practical. This will help you get a first impression about the culture, the people and the system. Furthermore, you can also make connections in Germany that will help you land a job in the future. How to prepare for the occupational language examination in Germany as a pharmacist? For people who are preparing for the occupational language exam, a community pharmacy is a good place to start. You can improve your occupational German skills through observational work-shadowing. This involves observing a pharmacy team at work but not actively participating in pharmaceutical activities. As well as observing colleagues consult patients, you can learn about pharmaceutical packaging, medicinal product information, as well as the general processes and routines involved in working in a German pharmacy. The best places to find German Pharmacist jobs According to the ABDA - The Federal Union of German Associations of Pharmacists, the following job and recruitment portals are available and provide information about pharmacist jobs. Please note that this is not a complete list and only contains, primarily, positions available in community pharmacies. Job portals of the Chambers of Pharmacists and Pharmacist Associations and Societies Pharmazeutischen Zeitung Job Market European Job Mobility Portal - EURES workeer (Training and Job Portal for Refugees) Visa for Pharmacists to Germany As a citizen of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, you require neither a visa nor a residence permit to work in Germany. Citizens of other countries on the other hand require a residence permit. Once you have successfully completed an interview and secured a job offer, you can apply for a German visa and work permit. The procedure is not different to other job categories. Upon completion of your professional training, you can also come to Germany to look for a job for up to 6 months on a German job seeker visa. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

It is common for people to travel to Germany for a short period of time, whether for business, a course exchange, or for an extended vacation. However, most suffer to find an ideal apartment that suits their needs. Expatriates often rent temporary apartments when they move to Germany for the first time. Most newcomers don't buy or rent a single house when they move for the first time. In Germany, you have the possibility to rent an unfurnished apartment, a serviced apartment or a fully furnished apartment. Temporary accommodation in Germany If you're planning to stay in Germany only for a few months, there are a few options you can consider rather than booking a regular hotel. The options include serviced apartments, renting an apartment, or finding an Airbnb, etc. In Germany, you can find fully furnished apartments at a cheaper cost. In comparison to living in a hotel, these apartments provide a better and more personalized lifestyle. Regular Hotels Hotel rooms are your best choice for short visits or vacations in Germany, if you want to be mobile. There are numerous hotels, both international hotel chains and local hotels, that operate in big cities as well as in small towns across Germany. You’d find big names even in the countryside small towns. As you do usually, just login to one of those travel booking sites and book your stay. However, when it comes to traveling in Germany, or Europe in general, my personal experience, whether in terms of price or deals, with Booking.com is much better compared to other travel aggregators. Serviced apartment in Germany Often, business travelers book serviced apartments because their days start early and end late. Furthermore, serviced apartments are most suited for business travelers as they can leave the hassle of cleaning the apartment and making bed every day. One additional benefit of serviced apartments is that most of them offer free breakfast and snacks. Otherwise, they offer breakfast for a relatively cheaper price. Where to look for serviced apartments in Germany? TempoFlat With tempoFLAT, you can find a wide selection of furnished apartments offered at base cost by individuals who are not looking to make a profit. Since you can sublease your apartment while you are away, your sub-tenant gets to enjoy a wonderful stay in your flat, and you get to save on your rent. Private subletting means that there are fewer business apartments being taken off the rental market – this is your contribution towards counteracting the housing shortage. Booking.com Most people don't know that, just like regular hotels Booking.com lists serviced apartments too. With Booking.com, you can find and book serviced apartments across Germany just like how you book a hotel room. Additionally, Booking.com often provides seasonal as well as regular offers for serviced apartments. Short term rentals in Germany If you’d like to have your own space, but don’t want to buy or rent furniture and other household items, then you can opt for a short term rental apartment in Germany. The short term apartment rentals usually come from one up to six months contract and mostly include furniture, television, and other kitchen as well as living electronics equipment. Wunderflats Wunderflats offer furnished apartments that give you all the freedom you need. With Wunderflats, you can choose your apartment and rent it by signing the contract online. Their processes are optimized to save you time. Wunderflats often verify listings and visit apartments to make sure the pictures on the portal are the same as the actual property. Once a Wunderflat has been reserved for you and before the rental agreement is signed, Wunderflats also offer viewing appointments if you request. Spotahome Spotahome offers an easy online renting experience for you to spend time on what really is important to you and forget the hassle of everything else. Spotahome verifies their listings occasionally to get rid of fraudulent listings. Mr.Lodge If you are planning to stay in Germany, then Mr.Lodge would be the best choice for you. Mr.Lodge provides fully furnished apartments in great locations in Munich at affordable cost. It was Mr.Lodge that I used to find my first apartment in Germany back in 2016, and it has been the best place in Germany where I've lived. In addition to short-term rental portals, you could also use general German property rental portals as well. Immobilienscout24 or Immowelt are two popular property rental services in Germany. However, since landlords who advertise in immobilienscout and immowelt expect tenants to stay for a long time, it may be difficult to find a short-term rental. The cost of renting in Germany The cost of living in German cities is also rising every day, just like in other parts of the world. In spite of the signs that have been present since the end of 2021, the recent events contributed to the rise in living costs. As Iamexpat reported, Munich has been ranked the most expensive city in Germany in 2022. It's evident to me as someone who lives in Munich. Approximately 1200 euros would have been enough to rent a two-bedroom apartment in Munich when I moved here in 2016. Despite raising my budget to 1700 euros, I cannot even get a viewing appointment for a 2 bedroom (3 room) apartment in 2022. Therefore, make sure to plan your budget accordingly. Finally, when you leave the comfort of your home and home country and decide to come to Germany, don’t you worry! There are plenty of options to choose from whether you are a business traveler who has been assigned on a project onsite or a nomad who wishes to stay in Germany and know the culture.

PAID PARTNERSHIP In general, it takes at least eight years for a person to become eligible to apply for German citizenship. However, this can be shortened to as short as seven, six, or even three years in some cases. Among other countries in Europe, Germany has strict citizenship rules, which require expats to live in the country at least for eight years before being eligible to apply for its citizenship in a normal scenario. How do I become a German citizen? If a person has lived legally in Germany for at least eight years and possesses the appropriate residence permit, they are eligible to apply for German citizenship. Applicants for naturalization must also declare their allegiance to the constitution of Germany and know the German language well. For integration into German society, German language knowledge is essential. A candidate for naturalization must understand the legal system, society and living conditions in the Federal Republic of Germany and be able to support themselves without social assistance, unless circumstances beyond their control prevent them. There should also be no serious criminal offenses on the candidate's record. Additionally, when you apply for German citizenship, you must renounce your previous citizenship. However, multiple nationalities may be considered in some cases and for certain groups of people. How to get German citizenship by derivative naturalization It is also possible to speed up your citizenship application by applying for derivative naturalization. This basically means that, in a registered relationship, someone who has not completed the required period of residence in Germany can still apply for citizenship at the same time as their other partner who has completed all citizenship requirements. Similarly, minors can apply with their parents at the same time. Read more about Derivative naturalization in the Federal Ministry of Interior and Community’s website Apply for German citizenship after seven years You have the possibility to apply for German citizenship after completing 7 years in Germany if you pass the German integration course. In this special integration course, you will gain a thorough understanding of German culture, laws, and everyday life. Moreover, you may be exempt from the integration course costs. To apply, you must write to your contact person at the Federal Office for Migrants and Refugees. Local integration course organizers can be found by searching for integration courses (available only in German). Alternatively, you can obtain their addresses from the Foreign Nationals Authority or a migrants' advice center. Otherwise, a 700-hour German integration course would cost €1,540, which is about 2.20 per teaching hour. Apply for German citizenship after six years The refugees and specially integrated are the two groups eligible for citizenship after six years. Asylum seekers, refugees, and stateless adults who have lived legally in Germany for at least six years, including the period of time they waited for a decision on their asylum application, are considered refugees. Additionally, this group of people benefits from the fact that Germany generally allows dual nationality. In the second category of applicants, those who can pass a B2 level of German language examination will generally be eligible to apply for citizenship after six years. Additionally, you can still try to apply for citizenship if you hold a master's degree or doctorate from a German university, complete a vocational training in the country or showcasing high professional or academic achievements even if you don’t have a B2 certification. Apply for German citizenship after three years You will be eligible to apply for German citizenship if you marry a German citizen. However, you must be in a registered partnership or have been married to a German citizen for at least two years when you file the application. Additionally, other citizenship requirements, such as proficiency in the German language and passing a citizenship test, also apply. Finally, the coalition government parties pledged in the election campaigns in 2021 that the residency requirements for citizenship would be reduced from eight to five years, and that the residency requirements for exceptionally integrated people would be reduced from six to three years. It's unclear when this legislation will become law, but it's considered a priority project by the Interior Ministry. Which means, as long as all other requirements are met, people with B2 German language skills may be eligible to apply for citizenship after just three years in the country.