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Moving to Germany as a Digital Nomad: Best Cities, Visas, and Taxes

imagen de berlin

Históricamente, Alemania siempre ha sido uno de los economic engines of the European continent. A large part of the industry and productive fabric that drives the European Union is concentrated there, which is why many people move to the German country in search of a new job that allows them to continue growing in their professional careers. 

In this article, we will tell you some aspects you should know before embarking on your adventure as a digital nomad in the German territory: what the best cities are like, the different types of visas available, and the taxes we will need to pay during our stay. 

imagen de berlin

Why choose Germany 

As we have already mentioned, Germany has always been characterized as one of the strongest economies in the European Union. The German country not only offers us an excellent quality of life in many of its cities, but it also allows us to enjoy more and better job opportunities than we would have in Spain: whether we are looking for a job or if we are freelancers wanting to establish new contacts. 

Su Its public transportation network will allow you to move from one place to another without any problem, in addition to being very well connected with the surrounding countries. Within the entrepreneurial field, the city is one of the cradles of sectors such as fintech or technology, which is why many professionals related to new technologies are interested in living in one of its cities, at least for a certain period of time.

both for getting around with public transport and for choosing coworking spaces or find a place to live for your first few weeks, it will be important to have a good internet connection to download all your apps. We recommend that you get an eSIM with unlimited data. eSIM from Blink eSIM: with with a flat rate of $3.5 per day,, we will have 5G mobile internet speed and, best of all, unlimited data. This way, you won't have to worry about recharging it as you use up your data. Additionally, it is valid for 24 months, so you won't need to purchase a new eSIM every time you travel or visit a new country. Easier and more convenient, impossible. 

But, what are the best cities to settle in Germany?

The three best cities for a freelancer

One of the first options we should consider is Berlin, its capital. The city serves as a hub for a large number of companies that establish themselves there to develop. On a professional level, its coworking spaces and the network of contacts we can create are two of the reasons why a visit is always welcome. On a personal level, the entertainment, cultural environment, and the great atmosphere are undeniable.

Tras Berlin, Another option that is not as well-known but is full of attractions is Hamburg. There, we will also find a large number of coworking spaces from which to work, and it is also very well connected to Berlin. So, we will have all the benefits of Berlin at our disposal, but with the advantage of being in a much smaller city, yet filled with nature, like Hamburg. The port, the historic center, and the architecture of its streets are three of its trademarks. 

Finally, we arrive in Munich, one of the main financial centers in Germany and one of the best places to go to develop your career in the financial sector. Munich differs from Berlin and Hamburg in terms of entertainment options, but professionally, it is one of the places that can always bring us joy. 

What visas can you apply for in Germany as a freelancer?

If you are considering visiting the German country to continue your freelance activity or embark on a new professional adventure, you have two options. It is important to keep in mind that there is no specific visa for digital nomads, as there is in Italy, for example. However, there are still several possibilities:

The first option is to obtain a freelance visa, intended for those professionals who can prove to the German government their self-employment with contracts or clients in Germany. It is known as visa freiberufler And, to obtain it, we must present a letter of intent from our clients and also prove our professional experience.

This visa only grants the right to stay in the country for a few months. If your intention is to extend your stay, we recommend also applying for a freelance residence permit, which you will need to request at the Immigration Office. 

The second option is to apply for a job-seeking visa. With it, we can legally reside in Germany while searching for a job. It's important to note that it has a set expiration date, but it can be renewed several times if we wish.

The taxes

Finally, we come to one of the most interesting topics: the taxes you will need to pay for carrying out your activity. Germany operates in a manner quite similar to the rest of our European partners, with two main taxes that all tax residents in the German country must pay:

On one hand, we have the Income Tax (IRPF). We will only need to pay it if we earn more than €9,169 per year, and it ranges from 14% to 42%, depending on our income. It is a progressive tax, meaning it increases as our income rises. 

On the other hand, we have VAT, whose operation is very similar to Spain's. The Value Added Tax (VAT) applies to all products with a percentage ranging from 7% to 19%.

Germany is one of the most interesting countries available to us to enjoy new professional opportunities while immersing ourselves in the history of one of the most attractive regions in Europe. Get an eSIM like the one we've mentioned and make it your best travel companion.

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