Long-stay visas

• Work (D)

  Work permit/contract → national visa → residence permit on arrival.

• Student

  University invitation + proof of funds (blocked account in Germany ~11.9k €/yr).

• Family reunion

  Relative with status + housing + sponsor income.

• Digital nomad

  Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Estonia: foreign income ~2–3.5k €/mo.

A D visa is only entry: a residence permit follows after arrival. Processing takes 1–3 months; apply early. Apostille and sworn translation of documents are almost always required.