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Freelancer's Visa for Germany: some questions

9 years ago
I'm a web designer/developer planning on moving to EU with my wife this fall. I've lived in Germany, speak german, and it seems attractive. (I'm a US citizen, as is my wife)

The artist/freelancer's visa in Berlin seems a good place to start.

• Would my wife be able to remain with me in Berlin if I got a artist/freelancer's visa? Could she seek work of any kind or would she need to obtain her own artist/freelancer's visa?
• Is the freelancer's visa option available in other cities in Germany? (I've lived in Hamburg, and there's less unemployment there I think, so that's a thought)
• If I were in Berlin (or elsewhere) on a freelancer's visa and a full-time position came up, would I be able to apply to a regular work visa without leaving Germany?
• I see in the requirements for the freelancer's visa that if you're over 45 you have to provide "pension insurance", but NOT if you're from the USA. But elsewhere it seems to contradict that. Anybody know the story?

Thanks for any help — if you have links for me to pursue that's great too, but first-hand experiences are best.

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