How many Australians moved to Germany in 2025?

Germany issued 1,118 first residence permits to Australian citizens in 2025, the main official indicator of how many moved there (Eurostat, data updated on 22 October 2026). That is 46 fewer than in 2024 (1,164), a change of −4.0%. By reason: work 602 (53.8%), family 304 (27.2%), education 176 (15.7%), other reasons 36 (3.2%). 708 of them (63.3%) were valid for 12 months or more.

First residence permitsAustralian citizens · 2025

Germany · Australian citizens · 2025: 1,118 first residence permits

1,164in 2024
−4.0%change on 2024
708valid for 12 months or more
3 of 27rank among EU countries for Australians

Germany issued 12.0% of all first permits given to Australian citizens in the EU in 2025 (9,339). Every EU country.

Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).

What this number is, and what it is not

  • It is the number of Australian citizens who received a residence permit in Germany for the first time in 2025: a permit valid for at least 3 months, for family, education, work or other reasons. A permit also counts as "first" when the person had none for the same reason in the 6 months before.
  • It is not a count of moves: some people who receive a permit never move, or leave soon after.
  • It leaves out Australians who also hold an EU passport (the statistics cover non-EU citizens only), stays shorter than 3 months and renewed permits.
  • It is not the number of Australians living in Germany, which is much larger.

Why Australians moved to Germany in 2025: permits by reason

First residence permits issued by Germany to Australian citizens, by reason, 2025 and 2024
Reason2025Share2024Change
Family30427.2%336−9.5%
Education17615.7%206−14.6%
Work60253.8%588+2.4%
Other363.2%34+5.9%
All reasons1,118100%1,164−4.0%

Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).

Family: joining or accompanying a family member. Education: study and other education. Work: paid employment (Eurostat's "employment reasons", also called remunerated activities), for example EU Blue Cards, other skilled work and seasonal work. Other: international protection and humanitarian status, permits for residence only, and other or unspecified reasons.

Australians moving to Germany, year by year (2019–2025)

First residence permits issued by Germany to Australian citizens, 2019–2025
YearAll reasonsFamilyEducationWorkOtherValid 12+ months
20191,86345039695166916
20201,09633914658328672
20211,09137812753155749
20221,23739817361947786
20231,28532924566447750
20241,16433620658834718
20251,11830417660236708

Source: Eurostat, First permits by reason, length of validity and citizenship (migr_resfirst), data updated on 22 October 2026, downloaded on 28 October 2026 (definitions). First residence permits, persons. Eurostat revises past years when countries correct their data. Re-use: Eurostat copyright notice (free re-use with acknowledgement, CC BY 4.0).

Questions people ask

How many Australians moved to Germany in 2025?

1,118 Australian citizens received a first residence permit in Germany in 2025 (Eurostat). That is 46 fewer than in 2024 (1,164), a change of −4.0%.

How many Australians moved to Germany in 2024?

1,164 Australian citizens received a first residence permit in Germany in 2024.

Why do Australians move to Germany?

The most common reason in 2025 was work (602 permits). By reason: work 602 (53.8%), family 304 (27.2%), education 176 (15.7%), other reasons 36 (3.2%).

How many Australians moved to Europe in 2025?

The 27 EU countries issued 9,339 first residence permits to Australian citizens in 2025; Germany issued 12.0% of them. All countries.

Is this the number of Australians living in Germany?

No. It counts only new permits issued in 2025. People who have lived there for years, renewed their permits or have an EU passport are not included.

Visas and statistics for Germany on this site

Where else Australians moved in 2025

Who else moved to Germany in 2025

How many Australians moved to Europe in 2025 · Who moved where: all nationalities · Visa income calculator