Which route fits me?
Five main routes lead from Türkiye to Berlin. Pick by your situation, then read the route page.
| You are | Route |
|---|---|
| A lise graduate or YKS candidate who wants a German degree | Study (§ 16b). First check admission with the lise diploma, then money. |
| A university graduate (lisans) who wants a Master's | Study |
| A graduate or experienced professional with a job offer from a German employer | Skilled worker / Blue Card |
| Qualified (degree or at least 2 years of vocational training), no job offer yet, with savings and German A1 or English B2 | Opportunity Card |
| A school leaver who wants vocational training, German at B1 or close | Ausbildung |
| Someone who only wants to learn German in Germany, or a nurse or professional driver | Language course or Other routes |
| Already in Berlin | Already in Berlin? and Association law |
Four honest checks before you decide
- German. Almost every route needs it, and it is the step that takes longest. Start now: Learning German in Türkiye.
- Money. See Costs at a glance. Most routes need a blocked account of €11,904 to €13,092 for one year.
- Documents. Türkiye and Germany are both in the Hague Apostille Convention: Turkish public documents need an apostille, not a legalisation. See Documents from Türkiye.
- The visa itself. Turkish citizens need a national visa for every long stay; the association agreement does not change that. Appointments run through iDATA or the Federal Foreign Office portal, see Visa application and Association law.
This site gives general orientation. It does not assess your individual case; for that see a lawyer for migration law or a recognised advice centre.
A question this page does not answer? Contact us. Free orientation only, no legal advice for individual cases.