- A declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung) from a German host is one way of proving that you have sufficient financial means for your stay in Germany.
- By a declaration of commitment, the host is responsible for covering all costs for their foreign guest’s stay in Germany and the entire Schengen area. These costs include living expenses, accommodation, medical treatment, and, if necessary, repatriation.
- Private individuals, companies, public institutions, and organizations with permanent residence or business in Germany can declare this financial commitment.
- The local immigration authorities in Germany are responsible for receiving and checking the declaration to ensure its validity and the host’s financial capability.
- The local immigration office will only accept a declaration of commitment if the host can prove they have sufficient financial means.
- However, the German diplomatic mission where you apply for your visa decides whether to issue a visa.
Declaration of commitment – requirements, scope, validity & costs
A declaration of commitment of a host in Germany is a document that visa applicants for a Schengen visa (C visa for short-term stays of up to 90 days) or for certain types of German national visa (D visa, for longer stays) may submit to the German Embassy as one possibility to prove the financing of their trip.
Proof of financial solvency of the inviting party
Relatives or friends residing in Germany and companies and other legal entities based in Germany can submit a formal financial obligation. The local immigration authorities are responsible for processing the application and deciding whether the formal obligation is accepted. However, the final decision lies with the embassy issuing the visa.
German citizens, EU citizens resident in Germany, and foreigners from third countries with a valid residence permit or a settlement permit for Germany can submit private declarations of commitment, provided they have sufficient creditworthiness and appropriate living conditions for hosting their foreign guests.
Monthly net income or savings can prove creditworthiness for a formal obligation. The amount of income or assets required depends on the visa type, the trip’s purpose, and the number of invited people. Slightly lower minimum rates apply to minors. Furthermore, the minimum financial requirements differ somewhat from city to city. The required minimum income or savings increases with child support obligations or a non-working spouse.
For example, an inviting person in Berlin must prove a monthly net income of at least €1,328 if they wish to submit a formal obligation for an adult individual for a stay of up to 90 days. On the other hand, a monthly income of around €2,900 is required for a long-term stay for vocational training or a course of study.
The stated income must be available for the long term and, especially in the case of a national visa, for the entire duration of the foreign guest’s stay, as far as can be foreseen. Employees in their probationary period or with fixed-term contracts, as well as self-employed persons whose income has not yet stabilized, may not be able to assume financial obligations for foreign guests.
Individuals who cannot submit declarations
In the following cases, it is not possible to submit a declaration of commitment:
- Receiving social benefits (basic social security benefits for unemployed persons, social assistance, social benefits for asylum seekers).
- Third-country nationals with a temporary residence permit for Germany
Scope of obligation
With the declaration, the inviting party undertakes to cover all costs for his guest’s stay in Germany and when traveling in the entire Schengen area. This includes:
- Living expenses
- Provision of living space or costs for accommodation outside of one’s own home
- Medical treatment
- If necessary, repatriation costs to the home country, including costs of possible deportation if the visa holder remains in Germany illegally after the visa has expired
You cannot enter Germany and the Schengen area without proof of travel health insurance. The insurance must be taken out with a German or European provider and have a sum insured of at least €30,000. It must cover the entire duration of the stay, medically necessary transport to the home country, and repatriation in the event of death. You can take out the insurance online before you apply for your visa. Alternatively, your host may handle this and send you the insurance documents.
Declaration of commitment for various visa types
Depending on the purpose of the trip, visa applicants can get a visa for short stays (C visa) or a longer-term stay in Germany (D visa, national visa). A declaration of commitment can be submitted for both visa types.
A declaration of commitment is accepted financial proof to obtain a national visa to attend a language course, vocational training, study preparation, a degree program, or to search for a job in Germany. Different processes are planned for visas for family reunification, so the declaration is irrelevant.
Validity of the declaration
A German declaration of commitment is valid for 5 years. However, it expires if the invited person leaves Germany permanently.
There should not be more than 6 months between submitting the declaration and granting the visa. A new declaration is necessary if this period is exceeded because the host’s financial circumstances may have changed.
How to receive the declaration from your host
If the immigration office has accepted the declaration of commitment, your host must send you the original signed document by post or courier service. The embassy requires the original document for the visa application, so it is not possible to send it by email.
Since the German embassies only accept the original document as financial proof, a declaration of commitment cannot be replaced. If you lose the document, your host must apply for a new declaration.
Cost
The fee for issuing and verifying a declaration of commitment for adults is €29. For minors, a reduced cost of €14.50 applies. It must be paid in cash during the inviting party’s appointment at the Foreigners’ Registration Office.
Processing and costs for a declaration of commitment
Hosts who wish to make a declaration of commitment for their foreign guests must contact the immigration office (Office for Migration and Integration) at their place of residence. The necessary forms are also available there. A personal appointment at the immigration office is required to sign the declaration of commitment.
Documents for a declaration of commitment
The following documents and information are required to apply for a declaration of commitment:
- Official form filled out completely (initially without a signature; the document has to be signed in the presence of an employee of the immigration office)
- Identity card or valid passport with proof of residence
- Rental contract or proof of homeownership
- For foreign nationals in Germany: Proof of German residence permit
- Personal details of the guests for whom a formal obligation is submitted
- Passport copies of the invited persons
- Reason for their visit to Germany and duration of the planned stay
- Proof of creditworthiness if the host
- If applicable, documents about maintenance obligations
Applicants should be prepared that the authority may request additional information and documents during the personal appointment.
Documents must be submitted to the immigration authority in original form and as a copy. If applicants are unsure which documents are required, the immigration authority will provide information in advance.
Proof of creditworthiness for employees and self-employed persons
Suitable documents must prove the inviting party’s financial standing, which differs between employees and self-employed persons if the financial support is to come from current income. Bank statements must be submitted if the declaration of commitment is to be secured by savings.
Employees
- For short-term stays of up to 90 days (C visa): salary statements for the last 3 months
- For longer stays (D visa, national visa): payslips from the last 6 months, including those of your host’s spouse if applicable
- Employment contract valid for at least the next 6 months
- Confirmation from the employer of the existing and non-terminated employment relationship
Info: Declaration of commitment – also possible with unemployment benefits (Infobox)
In Germany, two types of financial support exist for those who have lost their jobs. Those affected initially receive unemployment benefits, which do not preclude a declaration of commitment. The host in Germany must submit the corresponding notification from the employment agency to the immigration office. However, those who receive only basic social security benefits for unemployed individuals cannot submit this declaration.
Self-employed persons
Self-employed persons and freelancers must also prove their income. Possible documents for this are:
- The last tax assessment notice
- Certificate from your tax advisor of your average monthly income (especially if you have only been self-employed for a short time)
- Business assessment showing the company’s current cost and profit status by profit and loss account or revenue-excess calculation (each with the tax advisor’s signature)
- For companies that receive funding from the employment agency for their establishment, proof of the amount of these payments
In addition, self-employed people require some further documents:
- Proof of monthly health insurance costs
- Tax clearance certificate
- All other entrepreneurs: articles of association or extract from the commercial register
Proof of maintenance obligations
If your host lives separately from their spouse or children and this results in maintenance obligations, these payments must also be proven for a declaration of commitment.
This requirement applies to individuals with maintenance obligations and those who receive maintenance for themselves or their children.
For this, the immigration office requires the following documents:
- If applicable, divorce decree
- Proof of the amount of monthly maintenance obligations and the complete payment
- For individuals who receive the state maintenance advance for children: A corresponding certificate from the youth welfare office
Alternatives to a declaration of commitment
The declaration of commitment of a German sponsor is not the only way for visa applicants to prove that they have sufficient financial means for their stay in Germany. Alternatives to this are:
- Proof of own financial resources through salary and bank statements
- A written declaration from family members in your home country stating that they will cover the costs. In this case, the financial means available for this must also be proven.
- International students have the option of opening a blocked bank account. The minimum deposit for 1 year is €11,904. €992 per month is paid into a German checking account. For shorter study visits, a pro-rata sum is paid. A blocked account is the preferred way to provide financial proof for a German language course visa, a student applicant visa, or a student visa. You can open an account online with specialized providers such as Expatrio, Fintiba, Coracle, or Studely. Their accounts are recognized by German embassies worldwide.
A blocked account can also prove financial means when applying for a job-seeker visa in Germany. However, compared to a blocked account for international students, the monthly minimum deposit is slightly higher at €1,091.
Conclusion
A declaration of commitment is vital for providing financial support when applying for a German visa. While it simplifies the process for visa applicants by allowing sponsors in Germany to cover their expenses, it is not a guarantee of visa approval. The decision ultimately lies with the German Embassy, which evaluates other factors such as the purpose of the trip, the applicant’s ties to their home country, and the completeness of all required documentation. Understanding the requirements, limitations, and alternatives of a declaration of commitment is essential for hosts and applicants to ensure a smooth visa application process.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
The processing time for a declaration of commitment depends on the individual case and the practice of the responsible immigration office. Often, hosts receive the confirmation during their appointment at the office, but processing times of a few days or weeks are also possible. You will need the original document for the visa application, which your host will send you by post or courier service.
Not usually. The host is bound by the declaration for the period specified in it. His obligation ends when his foreign guest leaves the country or receives an independent residence permit. Exceptions are made if the declaration of commitment is to be transferred to another person or if the visitor can prove that he can support himself from his financial resources – provided that the responsible immigration authority approves such changes.
Not always. If a foreign guest can prove sufficient financial means by other means, they do not need a declaration of commitment for the visa application. An invitation without a declaration of commitment can also be issued by private individuals, companies, or public institutions and does not have to be confirmed by the immigration office. It then serves as proof of the purpose of the trip.
Yes. Proof of financial means is only one of the documents you need to obtain a German visa. Furthermore, different visa types require different documents. If you are applying for a visa to attend a German language course, you will need proof of enrollment in an educational program that meets the visa requirements. For a regular student visa, enrollment at a German university is required. For C visas, the German embassies assume a deep economic and social rootedness in the home country, which suitable documents must also prove. If there are doubts about this, the visa will be rejected due to a possible lack of willingness to return – even if you can prove sufficient financial support through a declaration of commitment.