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I’ve just received my German national (D) visa for employment (Blue Card) and plan to move from the UK to Germany by car. The route I’m considering is via the Eurotunnel into France, then driving across to Germany.

I’m trying to confirm whether it’s legally okay to enter the Schengen Area first through France with a German D visa and whether French border control would accept that.

Details:

  • I’m a Turkish citizen with a valid UK residence permit.
  • I have a German D visa.
  • Traveling with my wife and child, both holding dependent D visas.
  • This might slightly be different than re-entering as this will be our first entry to EU zone with this visa.

We’ll be carrying proof of accommodation etc.

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    While travelling through France to get to Germany is definitely not a problem (a D visa allows to to stay 90/180 days in the rest of Schengen), when you move (with a ll your belongings etc.) there's usually a bit of paperwork to be able to get through customs without having to pay taxes and duties on all the stuff you import (including your car, if it's yours and not a rental). germany.info/us-en/moving-966174 may be a good starting point, though they conveniently "forget" about the fact you are going to go through customs in a different country and what that could entail... Commented Oct 29 at 15:38
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    Another link, from German customs: zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Staying-in-Germany/…, which references a required form. Commented Oct 29 at 15:40
  • This question is similar to: Re-entering Germany with a Blue Card via another Schengen country (Netherlands) — is it valid?. If you believe it’s different, please edit the question, make it clear how it’s different and/or how the answers on that question are not helpful for your problem. Commented Oct 29 at 17:19
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    @JacobHorbulyk i think this is different from the proposed duplicate due to the customs issues involved Commented Oct 29 at 19:33
  • @JacobHorbulyk I think it is different or may be, as this will be our first entry to the country to take up the employment. Commented Oct 30 at 5:59

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Yes, this is perfectly fine and explicitly foreseen by the Schengen Borders code. Your D visa exempts you from any other visa requirement and is valid for entry anywhere in the Schengen area.

As noted in a comment, what could be more troublesome is customs, if you are travelling with all your personal effects, especially if you have expensive things.

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  • Relaxed, it was suggested to move this question to expats, what is your opinion on that? Commented Oct 29 at 20:20
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    @Willeke Thanks for asking, I think it's fine here, which is why I answered it already. It would also have been fine on expats, of course. If they are interested in that, the OP could also ask a follow-up question on expats regarding customs issues, which do seem to go beyond the travel / entry question. Commented Oct 29 at 20:35

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