English 
Français The short version
- Only Germany offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
| Criteria | Germany Freelance | South Africa Remote Work |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | No fixed threshold | €2,646 |
| Income basis | Freelance income | Salary / employment contract |
| Initial duration | 3 years | 3 years |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | No fixed limit | No fixed limit |
| Path to permanent residence | Yes (better) | No |
| Path to citizenship | Yes | No |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax treatment | Standard resident taxation | Standard resident taxation |
| Health insurance | Required (explicit) | Required in practice |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €100 | ≈ €33 (better) |
| Where to apply | Embassy / consulate, In country | Embassy / consulate |
| Processing time | — | 6–10 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Germany Freelance →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
South Africa Remote Work →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Don't forget insurance
Both programs have their own health-insurance rules — we match plans against each one's published requirement, with the evidence shown.
Sources
- Government Visa for freelance business — Make it in Germany (Federal Government) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Visa for self-employed business — Make it in Germany (fees, health insurance) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Official gazette Residence Act (AufenthG) §21 — official English translation (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government DHA — Remote Work visitor's visa requirements (effective 9 October 2024) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Embassy Embassy of South Africa — Remote Work Visa requirements (fee, income, documents) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15