Expert: Kevin Johnson - 7/22/2009

Question
Hi Kevin
I hope you can help. It is not exactly a culture question but the relevant experts are on vacation. My husband is a german citizen but has never lived in germany. He does have a german passport. We would like to move to Germany. What do we need to do. Will he need a work permit, can he work for himself? What options are there? He is self employed in the design field, 3d computer models and also 3d actual models all for architects. He also does web design. He would like to be self employed again. What is the prospect of work for him in Germany? Could we get government assistance and what kind? I am a South African citizen and have a 2.5year old. Will I be able to work in Germany? We have a comfortable life in SA and would like to continue that way. I do understand that it will be a major life change. Thank you for your help.
Regards
Shelley

Answer
Hello Shelley,

sorry for the long wait, I failed to set my vacation dates correctly.

As a citizen of a coutry of the European Union, your husband can enter employment in the whole European Union without restrictions. As his wife, you can easily obtain a visa and ultimately a permanent residency permit, which allows you to take employment yourself (but this might take some time, the bureaucracy is sometimes slow).

See here for more information:
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/WillkommeninD/EinreiseUndAufenthalt/uebe...

I cannot comment on the job prospects in Germany, sorry.

Peace,
 Kevin