Documents for drivers from Bosnia & Herzegovina to Germany

Germany is short of tens of thousands of drivers and since 2023 has a dedicated rule for professional drivers from outside the EU: Section 24a BeschV. A permit is possible even without an EU licence if the employer commits to getting you the German licence and Code 95 within 15 months.

Your case: Bosnia & Herzegovina → Germany

Citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia have, besides Section 24a, the Western Balkans rule (Section 26(2) BeschV): access to any job without qualification requirements, quota of 50,000 approvals per year. The visa is applied for at the German embassy at home; waiting times for appointments are often long.

Driver jobs: Germany

Steps in order

Contract with the German employer
The employer signs an employment contract or binding offer with you and fills in the BA form “Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis”. Since November 2023 the employer confirms your licence and qualification; the BA no longer checks them.
Make it in Germany: Berufskraftfahrer aus Drittstaaten · Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA)
Two routes under Section 24a BeschV
Route 1 (para. 1): you already hold an EU/EEA C/CE licence and Code 95; the permit is granted directly. Route 2 (para. 2): you only have your home country's licence of the same class; the employer commits that you obtain the German licence and the accelerated initial qualification within 15 months and guarantees the driver job afterwards. No German language certificate is required for the visa.
§ 24a BeschV (gesetze-im-internet.de) · Noerr: Berufskraftfahrer aus Drittstaaten nach § 24a BeschV
If you are 45 or older
The permit requires either a salary above the threshold (for 2026 sources cite about €55,770 gross per year; check with the Ausländerbehörde) or proof of pension provision. Clarify this with the employer before applying.
Make it in Germany: Visa for qualified professionals
Visa D at the German embassy
Application via the Federal Foreign Office portal: passport, contract, Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis, licence with translation, proof of qualification or the employer's training plan, insurance until work starts. Fee €75. Processing takes weeks to months.
Auswärtiges Amt: Visa service · Consular services portal (online application)
Licence and Code 95 in Germany
Non-EU licences are valid for 6 months after taking residence, then must be converted (Umschreibung) at the Führerscheinstelle; most countries require theory and practical tests. Code 95 is obtained through the accelerated initial qualification (140 hours and IHK exam). Then the driver card for the tachograph.
IHK: ausländische Fahrerdokumente · IHK Stuttgart: Berufskraftfahrer-Qualifikation · Recognition in Germany
After arrival
Within 14 days Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt (rental contract and landlord confirmation needed). Then the Ausländerbehörde issues the electronic residence permit. The employer registers social and health insurance, the tax ID comes by post, wages are paid only to a bank account.
Make it in Germany: registration after arrival

Who pays what

In an honest job the employer pays: licence conversion and tests, the accelerated initial qualification, first housing and travel to Germany, Ausländerbehörde fees. The worker pays at home: translations and apostille, certificates, the trip to the embassy and the €75 visa fee. Charging a worker for job placement in Germany is prohibited (Section 296 SGB III).

Official sources

This is a general overview, not legal advice. Checked on 25/10/2026. Laws and fees change: verify on the official sites via the links and ask the employer in the chat.

Same country of work for other citizens

Kazakhstan · Uzbekistan · Kyrgyzstan · Tajikistan · Georgia · Armenia · Azerbaijan · Ukraine · Moldova · Belarus · Türkiye · Serbia · North Macedonia · India · Philippines · Poland · Romania · Germany · United States

Detailed guides by country

Czechia · Kazakhstan · Lithuania · Netherlands · Poland · United States