Germany

Before you apply

• Germany has NO digital nomad visa. This is a residence permit for self-employed liberal professionals — a different thing, and about 40% of applications are refused.
• If you are a remote EMPLOYEE with one foreign employer, you will most likely be REFUSED. Dependence on a single client is treated as Scheinselbstständigkeit (bogus self-employment). You need several clients and genuine independence.
• There is no fixed income threshold. Berlin's working rule is: net income must exceed your rent + health insurance + €563/month — so the bar depends on what you pay for rent.
• Freiberufler (developers, designers, consultants, writers, engineers) do NOT need German clients. But if the Finanzamt classifies you as Gewerbe (e-commerce, selling products or apps, co-founder), you need German clients and a heavier visa route.
• If you are over 45 you must prove retirement provision: a guaranteed pension of at least €1,612.53/month for 12 years from age 67, or equivalent assets.
• Ukrainians must apply at a German consulate. Only citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK and the USA may enter first and apply inside Germany.
• Travel and 'digital nomad' insurance are rejected — you need proper German-compliant health cover.