Immigration & Residency Through Company Ownership

Owning or running a company in Europe can open residence pathways. In Germany that means the EU Blue Card for a qualified salaried role — including in your own GmbH (2026 thresholds €50,700, or €45,934 for shortage occupations) — or the §21 self-employment permit. Austria offers the Red-White-Red Card for self-employed key workers, and Switzerland a quota-based B permit subject to an economic-interest test.

The guides below explain each route and how company ownership supports it. Residence usually starts with a company — see GmbH for sale, how to buy a company as a foreigner and nominee director services. All of this is general information, not immigration advice; outcomes depend on the authorities.