Moving from India to Germany: the complete corridor guide

The two main routes from India

Most Indians reach Germany one of two ways:

• Studying - Germany's low/no tuition, strong universities, and post-study work rights make it hugely popular; students are the largest inflow, and the process is sequenced and strict.
• Skilled work - especially IT, engineering, and science, via the EU Blue Card or the Chancenkarte points system, where Indian STEM graduates are in high demand.

Both hinge on your degree being recognised and on getting the paperwork exactly right - Germany's process rewards preparation over improvisation.

Students: the APS certificate comes first

The single most important thing for Indian students to know: the APS certificate is mandatory and comes before everything.

• APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) verifies your academic documents' authenticity - you cannot get a student visa without it.
• Cost: around 18,000 INR (2026); processing 3-4 weeks, but 8-12 weeks in the April-July peak - so apply early.
• It's a one-time verification you then use for university and visa applications.

Then the sequence runs: APS certificate → university admission → proof of funds (blocked account) → application via the Consular Services Portal → VFS biometrics → a 6-8 week visa decision. Miss the order and you stall. Full student-visa mechanics in The German student visa.

The blocked account (Sperrkonto)

To prove you can support yourself, students need a blocked account:

• You deposit €11,904 for the year (€992/month released to you after arrival) - the standard 2026 proof-of-funds figure (The blocked account (Sperrkonto)).
• Providers like Expatrio and Fintiba are popular with Indian students for opening one before arrival.
• The money is yours - it's released in monthly instalments once you're in Germany.

Entry requirements and degree recognition

• Bachelor's applicants: from Winter Semester 2026/27, a minimum 70% in Class XII is required for the Studienkolleg pathway and subject-restricted direct admission (regardless of board).
• Degree recognition: check your university and degree in the anabin database - many Indian degrees are rated recognised (H+), which matters for both master's admission and the EU Blue Card. If unclear, get a ZAB assessment (Getting your foreign qualification recognized in Germany).
• Language: most Indians study in English-taught programmes, but German helps for daily life and work, and some courses/jobs need it.

Skilled workers: Blue Card and Chancenkarte

For Indian professionals, especially in tech:

• EU Blue Card - with a recognised degree and a job offer above the salary threshold (lower for shortage occupations like IT, engineering, medicine), it's the premium route, with fast permanent residency and easy family reunification.
• Chancenkarte (opportunity card) - a points-based route to come and look for work without a job offer first, rewarding qualifications, experience, German/English, and age.
• IT specialists can qualify even without a formal degree via demonstrated experience, under recent skilled-immigration rules.

Indian STEM graduates are precisely the profile Germany's skilled-worker shortage targets, so the routes are genuinely accessible.

Money, pensions, and remittances

• Pensions: India and Germany have a social security agreement that coordinates contributions - it can prevent double payment for detached workers and helps protect pension entitlements across the two countries. Check how it applies to your situation (and see the refund option in the pension guides if you leave).
• Remittances: sending money home is common; use low-cost transfer services and compare exchange rates rather than defaulting to banks.
• Banking: open a German account on arrival for salary, rent, and daily life.

Community, food, and culture

• A large, established Indian community - especially in Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart - with associations, WhatsApp groups, and student networks that ease the landing.
• Indian groceries and restaurants are widely available in cities, and vegetarian/vegan food is easy to find (Germany is very veggie-friendly), though check labels for gelatine and rennet.
• Temples, festivals (Diwali, Holi events), and cultural societies keep community life active.
• Culture shifts: German directness, punctuality, cash use, quiet Sundays, and paper-and-appointment bureaucracy take adjustment - but the Indian community's scale makes it one of the smoother corridors.

The India-to-Germany checklist

1. Students: get the APS certificate first (apply early - peak seasons are slow).
2. Secure admission, then open a blocked account (€11,904).
3. Apply via the Consular Services Portal + VFS, and budget 6-8 weeks.
4. Skilled workers: check your degree in anabin, then pursue the Blue Card or Chancenkarte.
5. Sort health insurance and, on arrival, Anmeldung and a bank account.
6. Plug into the Indian community for housing leads and support.

Frequently asked questions