German Business Immigration Lawyers

Comprehensive support from a full-service law firm

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German
Business Immigration
Lawyers

Comprehensive support from a full-service law firm

German Business Immigration Lawyer

At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our business immigration lawyers can expertly handle all of our clients’ legal requirements, regardless of whether these concern individuals or companies. The challenges can be very different. While clients can come to Germany via “Business Immigration”, business clients are looking for a reliable partner for all immigration issues of their business. Our lawyers have many years of experience in dealing with the complex demands placed on us and will respond quickly to our clients’ concerns when needed.

Business Immigration to Germany
for Investors and Entrepreneurs

Business investors and self-employed persons can obtain a German residence permit by acquiring or founding a company. This process is called Business Immigration.

Business Immigration Services
for Companies

You are a company executive and want to employ foreign specialists in Germany as quickly as possible? Our Immigration Lawyers take care of all your immigration concerns to ensure the smooth running of your business.

German Business Immigration Services for Companies

Germany remains the strongest economy in Europe and is one of the world’s leading countries when it comes to exports. Germany is a global leader in manufacturing, engineering, and the chemical industry, as well as an increased focus on renewable energy sources Germany is preparing itself for the future. Nowadays, the domestic labour market is not sufficient to find the necessary skilled workers. For a company, the international labour market is of great importance. However, this requires that you have a strong partner at your side who can reliably take care of all immigration law aspects of a professional from abroad. We offer comprehensive advice and representation in the field of German immigration law for companies.

Our Business Immigration Services for Companies

Corporate Expansion to Germany

Expanding an established company to Germany brings challenges for even the most experienced business professionals. The German market is very lucrative, but there can be pitfalls in negotiating the complexity of German bureaucracy. Determining which organisational structure to pursue is a vital step in pursuing your goals to move to Germany. Expert analysis and specialised counsel is required when deciding how best to make the expansion to Germany.

Our lawyers provide thorough due diligence and keen advice built on years of experience when analysing M&A transactions. Comprehensive due diligence is a necessity to ensure that no surprises emerge during the negotiations. Following the due diligence, our lawyers will structure the most appropriate form of the transaction, bearing in mind your company’s goals and structures.

Alternatively, purchasing a ready-made shelf company is another option for those looking to expand to Germany. Such a purchase brings the benefit of having an established corporate body in the market and ensures fewer bureaucratic requirements in the setting up of your company. Once the company has been purchased, our corporate lawyers will oversee the bureaucratic necessities to allow the business to be shaped in the desired manner.

Corporate Relocation Services

At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our team provides comprehensive relocation services to Germany from abroad. If your company is planning on relocating its employees, our team can be your reliable partner regarding work permits, residence permits (including EU Blue Card applications), finding accommodation, registering your employees in their new cities in Germany, helping them get registered for tax, translating official documents and providing personalised support relating to settling into their new location. Such tailored support includes providing information regarding insurance, child benefits and other social benefits, schooling options in Germany, making contacts in their area, registering for language courses and much more

Employment Visas: ICT Card & Skilled Immigration Options

If you are determined to move to Germany for employment purposes, our team of immigration lawyers will provide the legal counsel and assistance needed. Our team advises on options available to skilled workers under the recent Skilled Immigration Act, support companies with ICT Card processes and consult with clients regarding residence permits for cross-border commuters.

For our business clients, our business immigration team can oversee ICT Card applications for the entire company. The Intra-Corporate Transfer Card allows professionals in companies to legally transfer from one part of their business to another in a more straightforward manner. Such a transfer involves non-EU employees being assigned to European subsidiaries or branches of the company structure. Such a scheme is particularly aimed at experienced managers and specialists.

The Skilled Immigration Act is a recent piece of legislation and will allow more skilled workers from outside of the EU to take up suitable positions in Germany. Skilled workers are defined as those who :

  • have completed vocational training in Germany or have a non-German occupational qualification which is equivalent to one acquired in Germany, or
  • have a German or a foreign higher education degree recognised or otherwise comparable to a German higher education degree.

Recognition of vocational training allows suitable candidates who may not have university degrees to apply for skilled jobs in Germany. The non-requirement of a university degree is one of the differences between the Skilled Immigration Act and EU Blue Card requirements.

EU Blue Card Applications and Related Legal Services

The EU Blue Card is designed for high-earning individuals from third countries and those in fields with employee shortages. Germany is the EU country that has provided the most EU Blue Cards since its inception. EU Blue Card holders have the opportunity to travel freely within the EU, experience the same work conditions as citizens of the country, and bring family members with them. Applicants need to fulfil the following conditions:

  • possession of a German or an accredited foreign university degree comparable to a German one.
  • an offer of a job in Germany that reaches the required earning limits– or
  • an offer of a job in an area where workers are being sought for in Germany (scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and IT-skilled workers) which has a lower earning requirement.

If your business employs specialists and experts using the EU Blue Card then our immigration lawyers are here to assist. Our lawyers have vast experience of EU Blue Card applications, and can be relied upon to oversee them. By working with our firm on an ongoing basis, we can ensure that your company is fully aware of any changes or alterations to this residence permit.

Family Immigration and Reunification

Bringing top talent from outside the European Union to work for your business is easier when their family can come with them. Settled family life tends to lead to more motivated and productive employees, contributing to a better environment in the workplace.

Processing visa applications and working out the requirements for family reunification in Germany can be a time-consuming pursuit. Family reunification requirements can differ greatly depending on the relationship between the employee and the family member in question, and based on the visa-status of the applicant. Our lawyers will oversee your employees’ family reunification concerns and application requirements, allowing them to focus elsewhere.

German Citizenship Applications

Availing of German citizenship by descent and ancestry ensures that an employee can come to Germany and reside and enter employment there without the need for residence permits or visas. Determining whether a person can apply for German citizenship by descent can be a complex process. Locating the required documents and fulfilling the application requirements should be overseen by experienced legal professionals. At Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte, our immigration law works alongside clients worldwide in German citizenship by descent applications. By working with our team on an ongoing basis, they will ensure that your company is fully aware of developments in the field of German citizenship law.

Similarly, our lawyers oversee applications for German citizenship by residency. German citizenship is open to those who have lived and worked in Germany for the required period and is governed by § 10 StAG (the German Citizenship Act ). German citizenship is available to those who have an unlimited right of residence in Germany, do not have a criminal record and have lived lawfully and habitually resident in the country for eight years. There may be a need to renounce their previous citizenship depending on the rules of dual citizenship, as it applies to their situation.

German citizenship can also be gained through marriage.

Permanent Residence Permits

The German permanent residence permit is an unlimited residence title granted to a foreigner to consolidate their residence in Germany. It allows them to live and work in Germany without restrictions, whether as an employee or in self-employment. For companies, ensuring that their employees have permanent residence permits means that they can plan activities knowing they will be in Germany for the long term.

Permanent residency can come about in several manners, and eligibility for permanent residence is based on the residence permit that the individual used to come to Germany. The EU Blue Card, for example, grants its holder permanent residency in under four years, and can even provide permanent residency after 21 months, should its holder reach the required language standards.

If your company wants professionals to advise their employees regarding permanent residency, Schlun & Elseven Rechtsanwälte is a reliable partner who will ensure that your employees are fully aware of the options available to them. Our team will outline the requirements for German permanent residency and will oversee all applications.