German Terms Glossary

All terms

Blaue Karte EU

The EU Blue Card is a residence title for university-qualified professionals. It requires a job contract in Germany and a certain minimum salary.

Hint: Shortage occupations have a lower salary threshold. Check the current figure each year in the official source.

Make it in Germany (Bundesregierung)

Chancenkarte

The Opportunity Card is a points-based residence permit for job-seeking. It allows entry without a prior job contract to look for qualified work.

Hint: Points depend on qualification, language, experience and age — try our Chancenkarte calculator.

Make it in Germany (Bundesregierung)

§81a — Beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren

In the accelerated skilled worker procedure the employer handles the process in advance with the immigration office, shortening the visa appointment and processing time.

Hint: The employer starts the procedure and a fee applies. See the flow in our §81a verification demo.

Make it in Germany (Bundesregierung)

Vorabzustimmung

The pre-approval is the Federal Employment Agency's (ZAV) advance consent to the employment. It speeds up the visa procedure.

Hint: The employer usually requests it together with the accelerated procedure (§81a).

Make it in Germany (Bundesregierung)

Anerkennung (Berufsanerkennung)

Professional recognition is the official assessment that a qualification obtained abroad is equivalent to a German occupation.

Hint: It is mandatory in regulated professions (e.g. health) and often optional in non-regulated ones.

Anerkennung in Deutschland (BMBF)

Zeugnisbewertung (ZAB)

The ZAB statement of comparability is an official document describing how a foreign higher-education degree is classified in Germany.

Hint: Often required for Blue Card applications; linked to the degree's status in the anabin database.

ZAB — Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (KMK)

Aufenthaltstitel

The residence title is the umbrella term for the legal status to stay in Germany (including visa, residence permit and settlement permit).

Hint: Work rights and validity depend on the type — check your document to see which one you hold.

AufenthG (gesetze-im-internet.de)

Niederlassungserlaubnis

The settlement permit is a permanent, open-ended residence title granting long-term right of stay.

Hint: Usually granted after a set period of residence, pension contributions and language proof; verify conditions officially.

AufenthG §9 (gesetze-im-internet.de)

Sperrkonto

A blocked account is a bank account — mainly opened by students to prove living costs — from which only a limited amount can be withdrawn each month.

Hint: The annual minimum amount is set officially and changes; check the current figure before applying.

Make it in Germany (Bundesregierung)

Anmeldung

Registration is the mandatory notification of your address at the local Bürgeramt after moving into a home in Germany.

Hint: Done shortly after moving in; the confirmation (Anmeldebestätigung) is a prerequisite for many steps like bank or insurance.

Make it in Germany (Bundesregierung)

Familiennachzug

Family reunification is the residence route that lets spouses and children join a person living in Germany.

Hint: Sufficient income and adequate housing are usually required; the language requirement is eased for some groups.

Make it in Germany (Bundesregierung)

Verpflichtungserklärung

A formal obligation letter is an official document in which a person declares they will cover the costs of an invited guest in Germany.

Hint: Usually issued at the Ausländerbehörde and requires proof of income.

Make it in Germany (Bundesregierung)