Germany Expat Lawyer · Frankfurt & Online · All Germany

Legal clarity
for your life
in Germany.

English-speaking immigration lawyer helping expats navigate visas, residence permits, employment law, and work authorisation — wherever you are in Germany.

Immigration law and employment law — because for expats, the two are inseparable.

Book a consultation See what we handle
★★★★★
5-Star Google Rating
Online
Phone & video · all Germany
from €89
Transparent pricing
★★★★★ 5-Star Rating on Google · Book instantly

Book your
consultation

Secure online booking via Meetergo · GDPR compliant · Phone or video call

10 min — Mini consultation One precise question or follow-up
€89
30 min — Brief consultation Popular Clear options & next steps
€179
60 min — Full consultation Complex topics · Full strategy & roadmap
€225
View all Google reviews →
What we handle

The most common legal challenges expats face.

01
Visa & Residence Permits
Skilled worker visa, EU Blue Card, job seeker visa, freelancer permit — from first application to renewal.
02
Freelancer & Self-Employment
Setting up as a Freiberufler or Gewerbetreibender? We secure your residence permit and advise on the legal structure.
03
Permanent Residence & Citizenship
Niederlassungserlaubnis or naturalisation — we assess your eligibility and guide you through the process step by step.
04
Employer Immigration
Hiring international talent? We support companies with work permits, relocation documentation, and compliance.
05
Employment Law for Expats
Dismissal, Kündigungsschutzklage, employment contracts — and critically: what a job loss means for your residence permit and right to stay.
06
Urgent & Crisis Situations
Permit rejected? Deportation notice? Status expiring after dismissal? We prioritise urgent cases and act fast to protect your right to stay.
What to expect

Everything that happens from click to clarity.

Step through the entire process before you book — so there are no surprises.

1
Choose your session length
Pick from three options based on your question:
10 min · €89 One precise question or follow-up
30 min · €179 Individual questions & quick assessment Popular
60 min · €225 Complex topics, multiple questions, full strategy
2
Pick a date and time
A calendar opens. Choose a slot that suits you. Reschedules to a later — or often even an earlier — date are always possible.
3
Fill in a short form
Name, email address, nationality. A free-text field to describe your situation. You can also upload documents if you'd like — optional but helpful.
4
Pay securely
PayPal or credit card. Booking is confirmed after payment. Cancellations are possible — we normally refund the full amount. Rescheduling is always available.
5
Confirmation email
You receive an email confirming your booking — including the video meeting link. No app to download. The meeting runs in your browser.
Book your consultation →
Rechtsanwalt Osman Öztas – Expat Lawyer Frankfurt
About

An expat lawyer who speaks your language.

Osman Öztas is the founder of leaves and trees. He has specialised in immigration and labour law since 2005 — first at Fragomen, one of the world's largest immigration law firms, then at EY Law (Ernst & Young), and since 2017 as founder of his own practice in Frankfurt.

He advises private individuals, freelancers, companies, foreign consulates, and intergovernmental organisations — entirely in English, German, or Turkish, by phone or video call from anywhere.

2017 —
Founder, leaves and trees | Frankfurt
2018–19
Legal advisor, intergovernmental organisation · intl. law, labour & residence law
2012–16
EY Law (Ernst & Young) · business immigration specialist
2005–08
Fragomen · one of the world's leading immigration law firms
No surprises on costs — pricing is clear and confirmed before any work begins.
English Deutsch Türkçe Phone & video Frankfurt-based
Real cases

Situations we have successfully resolved.

A selection of real cases — anonymised. Your situation may look different, but the expertise behind it is the same.

Residence · Employment
Situation

A foreign national was dismissed by their employer. Their residence permit was tied to that employment — deportation proceedings were imminent.

→
Outcome

Residence permit successfully extended. Obligation to leave the country averted.

Blue Card · Special circumstances
Situation

A client's existing residence permit needed to be converted to an EU Blue Card, but special personal circumstances made a standard application impossible.

→
Outcome

EU Blue Card successfully obtained, taking all circumstances into account.

Freelancer · Family
Situation

A self-employed freelancer needed to secure their own residence permit and bring their family to Germany — while managing the uncertainty of self-employment income.

→
Outcome

Residence permit secured for the freelancer and family members.

Visa · Embassy · Abroad
Situation

A client abroad faced complications with their visa application at the German embassy. Communication had broken down and the process stalled.

→
Outcome

Mediation between client and German embassy resolved — visa process resumed.

Client voices

What expats say after working with us.

★★★★★
"I found this law firm to be extremely quick to answer and professional in their handling of my situation. I got to confirm my appointment via email only a few hours later."
S
Sophia
Google review ↗
★★★★★
"Things in Germany are completely different from the United States, so with one conversation I saved myself many hours of research and possibly some serious mistakes."
T
Thomas
Google review ↗ · US national
★★★★★
"I would like to sincerely thank Osman for his outstanding support with my EU Blue Card application. The entire process was stress-free thanks to his guidance. Highly recommended."
P
Prashant
Google review ↗ · EU Blue Card
FAQ

Common questions from first-time clients.

Still unsure? Book a consultation and get a professional assessment of your specific situation.

Book a 10-min call — €89
Which legal areas are covered?+
All questions concerning German immigration law (excluding asylum and deportation law), citizenship law, setting up a business in Germany, and labour law — including dismissal, Kündigungsschutzklage, warnings, employment contracts, and the immigration consequences of losing a job (e.g. impact on your residence permit or Blue Card status).
Which consultation package should I book?+
The 10-min session (€89) suits one precise question or a follow-up. The 30-min session (€179) is right for individual questions and quick assessments. The 60-min session (€225) covers complex topics or multiple questions. When in doubt, book more time — it's better to finish early than to run out.
What exactly do I get from a consultation?+
The attorney will clarify the relevant facts, answer your questions, explain the essential legal aspects, and outline concrete options for action. You'll also receive information about any further costs to expect. Ideally, you'll learn that you can solve the problem yourself — and get told exactly how.
Do I need to come to Frankfurt in person?+
No. All consultations take place by phone or video call. You can receive all services from your home or office — anywhere in Germany or abroad. Secure booking via Meetergo, GDPR compliant.
What if my German is very basic?+
No problem. Consultations are available in English, German, and Turkish. All correspondence with German authorities is handled in German on your behalf.
I was dismissed — does that affect my residence permit?+
Yes, potentially — and this is one of the most urgent situations for expats. Losing your job can directly impact your Blue Card, work visa, or residence permit. We advise on both sides: challenging the dismissal (Kündigungsschutzklage) and securing your immigration status while the situation is unresolved. Act quickly — deadlines apply.
Can you help with employment issues that don't affect my residence permit?+
Yes — employment law advice for expats goes beyond immigration. We advise on dismissals, Kündigungsschutzklage, severance pay (Abfindung), warnings (Abmahnung), and employment contracts, even when your residence status is not at risk. Many expats are simply unaware of their rights as employees in Germany — a consultation can change that.
How does booking work?+
Click "Book a session", select a date and time, fill out the short form, and choose your payment method. You'll receive a confirmation by email within a few hours. That's it.
Ready to start?

Your rights in Germany are worth protecting.

Book directly online — no waiting, no back-and-forth. Secure payment, GDPR compliant.

Book a 30-min consultation — €179 See all pricing options →