Kön General Regulations

General Regulations

Moving to Hamburg for a short-term or long-term stay? Here you'll find all you need to know about entry regulations, visas, customs and much more.

Depending on your nationality and the duration of your stay in Germany, you may need a visa, residence permit, or both. Find out more here.

If you're planning on visiting, working or studying in Hamburg, you should be aware of which visa and entry requirements apply to your situation.

Foreign documents are often only recognised by the German authorities if their authenticity has been confirmed. Find out here how to get it done.

By submitting a Declaration of Commitment you can enable a foreign national to enter Germany for a short-term visit or long-term stay.

Customs duty is a charge for goods that have been transported across a customs border. Find out if customs duty applies to your goods.

Registering your new residence at the city authorities should be one of the first things you do after relocating to or within Hamburg.

Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland enjoy unrestricted freedom of movement in Germany.

Applicants for certain visas and residence permits may have to demonstrate that they understand and speak basic to intermediate German.

You're a trained professional from abroad? You may need to get your qualifications recognised to carry out your profession in Germany.

Which steps should you take to successfully settle down in Hamburg? We've provided you with some useful tips.