Residence Permit; Application

A settlement permit grants the right to permanent residence in Germany. It is unlimited in terms of time and location and may not be subject to any restrictions or conditions.

Accordingly, the requirements for granting a settlement permit are quite stringent. In addition to a secure means of support and adequate housing, the issuance of the permit generally requires five years of holding a residence permit, as well as, for the most part, a clean criminal record, sufficient knowledge of the German language, and a basic understanding of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany.

Although the granting of a settlement permit generally requires, among other things, five years of holding a residence permit, the Residence Act also provides for exceptions. For example, for 

• foreign spouses of German citizens (usually after 3 years),
• successful self-employed individuals (at the discretion of the authorities after 3 years),
• foreign nationals employed as civil servants by a German employer (after 3 years),
• foreign nationals who have successfully completed vocational training or a degree program in Germany (after two years),
• holders of a residence permit as skilled workers (after 3 years).
• Holders of an EU Blue Card (after 27 months of highly qualified employment; after 21 months if sufficient German language skills are demonstrated; further exemptions apply in cases of prior residence in member states).
• In special cases, particularly highly qualified individuals may be granted a settlement permit as their first permit (e.g., scientists with specialized expertise or specialists).

In addition to the required periods of holding a residence permit, the other eligibility requirements—which vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case—must also be met. An application for a settlement permit must be submitted to the locally competent immigration office.

The requirements for granting a settlement permit vary depending on the purpose of the stay.

The requirements for a settlement permit, which is generally granted, include, among others:

• that the foreign national has held a residence permit for five years,
• that the foreign national’s livelihood is secured,
• the foreign national has made mandatory or voluntary contributions to the statutory pension insurance for at least 60 months,
• the foreign national has sufficient knowledge of the German language,
• that they have a basic understanding of the legal and social system and living conditions in Germany, and
• he has sufficient living space for himself and his family members living with him in the same household.

In addition, the Residence Act provides for special regulations regarding the granting of a settlement permit for certain purposes of residence, some of which require different eligibility criteria.

• Find out whether your Foreigners’ Registration Office allows you to submit your application online or provides a specific application form. Once you have entered your place of residence, you may find a link to the application form or the online procedure under “Forms” or “Online Procedures.”
• If you can only submit your application in person, make an appointment at the immigration office. If you submit your application online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably the originals).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to issue your residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT).
• The Foreigners’ Registration Office will commission the Federal Printing Office to issue the eAT. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can pick up your residence permit at the appropriate office. You must generally pick it up in person.
• If your application is denied, you will receive a notice of denial.

The application should be received by the Immigration Office no later than six to eight weeks before the current residence permit expires.

• The documents to be submitted can vary widely.
  

  Please check with your local immigration office. However, the following documents are generally required, among others:

• valid passport
• a recent biometric photograph (front view)
• Proof of a secure source of income
• Proof of adequate living space
• Proof of Health Insurance Coverage

• Residence Permit for Highly Skilled Professionals: 147 euros
• Settlement Permit for Self-Employment: 124 euros
• Residence permit in all other cases: 113 euros