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Germany Ankara Agreement Visa: A Pathway for Turkish Citizens to Work as Selfemployed in Germany

The Association Agreement between Turkey and the European Community (EC), known as
the Ankara Agreement, was signed on 12 September 1963 and aimed to establish a customs
union. In 1970, a Protocol to the agreement was signed, further seeking to achieve the free
movement of workers. An Association Council was created with the authority to make
decisions related to the Ankara Agreement and has primarily provided guidance on the
freedom of movement for workers. Although Turkey’s accession to the European Union has
progressed more slowly than initially expected, there remains a significant flow of migrant
workers from Turkey to EU countries, particularly Germany. To date, the European Court of
Justice (ECJ) has issued fourteen rulings directly related to the Ankara Agreement, with many
more cases still pending. The majority of these cases originate from Germany and increasingly
focus on the social rights of workers and their families.

Introduction

The Germany Ankara Agreement Visa allows Turkish citizens to obtain a residence permit for
self-employment in Germany. This visa is regulated under the Ankara Agreement, which was
signed between Turkey and Germany in 1963.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Ankara Agreement Visa, applicants must:

  • Be a Turkish citizen
  •  Hold a valid Turkish passport
  •  Intend to work or establish a business as self-employed in Germany
  •  Have the necessary qualifications and experience for their intended business or profession
  •  Possess sufficient financial resources to support themselves and any dependents while residing in Germany

Application Process

Applicants must submit their visa applications to the relevant Turkish diplomatic mission in Germany. The required documents include:

  •  Completed visa application form
  •  Valid Turkish passport
  •  Recent passport-sized photograph
  •  Proof of financial means
  •  Evidence of qualifications or experience for the intended work or business
  •  Business plan (if establishing a business)
  •  Letter of invitation from a German employer or business partner (if applicable)
  • Benefits of the Visa:

The Ankara Agreement Visa provides Turkish citizens with the following advantages:

  •  A residence permit for self-employment in Germany
  •  The right to bring family members to Germany
  •  Access to social security and healthcare benefits
  • The opportunity to study in Germany
  • Visa Fees & Processing Time:

The processing time for the Ankara Agreement Visa is typically between 2 to 4 weeks. For details regarding visa fees, it is advisable to consult a visa expert or immigration consultant.

  • Conclusion:

The Ankara Agreement Visa is an important pathway for Turkish citizens looking to establish themselves in Germany through self-employment. Applicants must meet the specified criteria and submit the required documents to apply successfully.

The new Skilled Immigration Act at a glance

The new Skilled Immigration Act (FEG) makes it easier for skilled workers with vocational
training and individuals with practical knowledge to immigrate to Germany.

The Skilled Immigration Act

With the introduction of the new law, existing pathways for skilled workers with a university
degree, such as the EU Blue Card, have been maintained and, in some cases, expanded.
Additionally, the newly introduced Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) allows third-country
nationals to seek employment in Germany.
The new law consists of multiple provisions, which have been implemented gradually since
November 2023. Below is an overview of the key changes:

Updates to the EU Blue Card (Effective November 2023)

In compliance with Directive (EU) 2021/1883, Germany has revised and expanded the EU Blue Card regulations, making it easier for skilled workers to migrate:

  • 1. Lower Salary Thresholds:

The salary requirements for the EU Blue Card have been reduced:

  • For shortage occupations and recent graduates, the minimum salary is 45.3% of the annual pension insurance contribution ceiling (€43,759.80 in 2025).
  • For all other occupations, the threshold is 50% of the contribution ceiling (€48,300 in 2025).
  • 2. Expanded Eligibility Criteria:
  • Recent Graduates: The EU Blue Card is now available to individuals who have completed a university degree within the last three years, provided they secure a job in Germany that meets the minimum salary requirement (45.3% of the pension ceiling).
  • IT Specialists Without a Degree: IT professionals can now qualify for an EU Blue Card even without a university degree if they can demonstrate at least three years of relevant professional experience. The lower salary threshold for shortage occupations
    applies to them.
  • 3. Extended Shortage Occupation List:

The list of shortage occupations eligible for the EU Blue Card has been significantly expanded. In addition to fields such as mathematics, IT, science, engineering, and human medicine, the following professions are now included:

  •  Managers in manufacturing, mining, construction, or distribution
  •  IT service managers
  •  Professional services managers (e.g., childcare or healthcare managers)
  •  Veterinarians
  •  Dentists
  •  Pharmacists
  •  Nursing and midwifery professionals
  •  Teachers and educators (both school and extracurricular)
    The lower salary threshold (45.3% of the annual assessment ceiling) applies to these professions as well.
  • 4. Mobility Rights for EU Blue Card Holders:
  • Short-Term Mobility: EU Blue Card holders from another EU country can stay in Germany for up to 90 days for business activities without needing a visa or work permit.
  • Long-Term Mobility: After holding an EU Blue Card in another EU country for at least 12 months, professionals can move to Germany without a visa and apply for a German EU Blue Card at the local immigration office.
  • 5. Simplified Family Reunification:
  • Family members of EU Blue Card holders who have already lived in another EU
    country can relocate to Germany without needing a visa in advance.
  • They are exempt from meeting requirements for sufficient living space and financial
    self-sufficiency when applying for a residence permit in Germany.

More details about the EU Blue Card are available in the dedicated “EU Blue Card” section.

Additional Changes Since November 2023

  • Residence Permit Entitlement & Job Flexibility:

The key legal provisions for skilled workers with:

  • Non-academic vocational training (Section 18a of the Residence Act)
  • University degrees (Section 18b of the Residence Act)

have been updated as follows:

  • Applicants now have the right to a residence permit if they meet all requirements (previously, permits were discretionary).
  • Skilled workers are no longer limited to jobs directly related to their qualification (except for regulated professions). This provides greater flexibility in job selection. For more details on the Work Visa for Qualified Professionals, refer to the dedicated section.
  • Employment of Professional Drivers:
  • The approval process for hiring professional drivers from third countries has been
    simplified.
  • The Federal Employment Agency no longer requires proof of an EU/EEA driving
    license or initial qualifications.
  •  Priority checks and language requirements for these applicants have been
    removed.

Keyword Explanations

This visa is based on the Ankara Agreement, signed between Turkey and Germany in 1963.

New Employment and Recognition Rules as of March 2024

Residence for Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

The regulations regarding residence for participation in qualification programs in Germany have been expanded. The initial residence permit for adaptation measures (Section 16d para. 1 of the Residence Act [AufenthG]) has been extended from 18 to 24 months. Additionally, it can now be renewed for up to 12 more months, allowing a maximum stay of three years, providing employers with greater flexibility.

The permitted secondary employment hours during qualification measures have increased from 10 to 20 hours per week, facilitating entry into the job market for future skilled workers.

The goal of these qualification programs is to achieve full recognition of foreign qualifications.
The revised Skilled Immigration Act introduces two new pathways for this purpose:

Recognition Partnership for Entry and Employment:

This pathway enables applicants to obtain a residence permit for qualified employment
and complete the recognition process after arriving in Germany. Unlike previous
requirements, candidates no longer need to initiate the recognition process or receive
partial recognition before entry. Instead, both the applicant and employer must commit
to applying for recognition after arrival and actively pursuing the process.
Key requirements include:

  • A non-academic vocational qualification requiring at least two years of training
    or an academic degree—both recognized in the country where they were
    obtained.
  • Basic German language proficiency at level A2 (CEFR).
  • A valid employment contract.

Residence permits under this scheme are typically issued for one year but can be extended
for up to three years.

Entry for Skills Analysis:

Applicants whose foreign qualifications require a skills assessment in Germany to determine equivalency can obtain a residence permit for up to six months for this purpose. They must demonstrate German language proficiency, generally at level A2 or higher (CEFR).

Employment of Skilled Workers

Special Provisions for Practical Professional Knowledge

The employment of individuals with significant practical experience has been expanded to include all non-regulated professions across various industries. Applicants must:

  • Hold either an academic or non-academic vocational qualification recognized in their home country.
  • Have at least two years of work experience in the relevant field.
  •  Secure a job offer in Germany with an annual gross salary of at least €43,470 (as of 2025). Employers subject to collective agreements must offer wages in line with those agreements.

Facilitated Entry for IT Specialists

  • Required professional experience has been reduced from three to two years.
  • No formal academic or vocational qualification is necessary.
  • Language proficiency is no longer a prerequisite for visa approval.
  • The same minimum salary threshold of €43,470 (as of 2025) applies.

Access for Nursing Assistants from Third Countries

Third-country nationals with less than three years of regulated nursing training can now work in the healthcare sector, provided they have either:

  •  Completed relevant vocational training in Germany, or
  •  Obtained a foreign nursing qualification recognized in Germany.

Job-Seeking Visa for Healthcare and Nursing Graduates

Nursing and care assistants from third countries who have completed their training in Germany can now apply for a residence permit to seek employment. This permit is valid for up to 12 months and can be extended for an additional six months if financial self-sufficiency is proven.

Faster Settlement Permit for Skilled Workers

  • Skilled workers holding residence permits under Sections 18a, 18b, 18d, or 18g of the Residence Act (AufenthG) can now obtain a settlement permit after three years instead of four.
  • EU Blue Card holders can qualify even sooner—after 27 months of employment, or 21 months if they demonstrate B1-level German proficiency.
  •  Those who completed their vocational or academic training in Germany remain eligible for a settlement permit after two years of qualified employment.

Simplified Family Reunification

  • Spouses and minor children of certain skilled workers no longer need to provide proof of sufficient living space.
  • If the skilled worker obtained their residence permit on or after March 1, 2024, they may also bring their parents and in-laws (provided their spouse is a permanent resident of Germany).

Residence Permit for Start-Up Grant Recipients

Skilled workers as defined in Section 18 para. 3 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) can receive an 18-month residence permit if they obtain a grant from a German research institution or public agency to start a business

Employment of Students and Trainees

Expanded Work Rights for International Students

  • The annual working limit for student visa holders has increased from 120 to 140 full days (or from 240 to 280 half days).
  •  Alternatively, students can now work up to 20 hours per week without salary restrictions.
  • Those participating in preparatory university programs can engage in part-time employment immediately.

Residence Permit for University Applicants

  • Third-country nationals seeking admission to a German university can still apply for a residence permit.
  • They can now work up to 20 hours per week while searching for a study program

Extended Stay for Vocational Training Seekers

  • The age limit for applicants has increased from 25 to 35.
  • Required German language proficiency has been lowered to level B1 (CEFR).
  • The permitted stay has been extended from six to nine months.
  • Holders of this residence permit may work up to 20 hours per week and participate in job trials for up to two weeks

Increased Secondary Employment for Apprentices

  • All apprentices can now work up to 20 hours per week in addition to their raining

Short-Term Employment Quotas

A new provision allows third-country nationals to engage in short-term employment, independent of qualifications, based on demand-driven quotas set by the Federal Employment Agency (BA). Approval is granted if:

  •  The employer follows collective agreements and offers fair wages.
  •  The employer covers the worker’s travel costs.
  •  The employment does not exceed eight months within a 12-month period.
  •  The worker is employed for at least 30 hours per week.

Further Amendments in June 2024

Introduction of the Opportunity Card The opportunity card allows job seekers to stay in Germany while searching for employment. It can be obtained in two ways:

  1. For recognized skilled workers: Those with fully recognized foreign qualifications
    and classified as “skilled workers” under Section 18 para. 3 of the Residence Act
    (AufenthG) automatically qualify.
  2.  For other applicants:

  •  Must have either a foreign academic degree, a non-academic vocational
    qualification of at least two years (recognized in the training country), or a
    qualification from a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad
  • Must demonstrate basic German (A1 CEFR) or English (B2 CEFR) proficiency.

    Points are awarded based on qualification recognition, language skills, professional experience, age, connections to Germany, and the potential contribution of accompanying family members. Applicants must score at least six points to receive an opportunity card.

    The card is valid for up to one year, provided the applicant can support themselves financially. During this period, they may engage in work trials or part-time employment for up to 20 hours per week. If the applicant secures a qualified job offer but does not yet meet all criteria for a long-term employment visa, the opportunity card may be extended for an additional two years.