Permanent residence titles

• General information
• Overview of the different types of permanent settlement permits
• EU long-term residence permit
• Before you submit an application: Use the Quick Check
• You want to submit the application: What you need
• If you have submitted the application online: This is what happens next
• Can the application be submitted in another way?
• Do you have a residence permit for educational purposes?

If you have had a temporary residence title (residence permit or EU Blue Card) for several years, you may be able to obtain a permanent residence title.

• Permanent settlement permit = Niederlassungserlaubnis (with various legal bases)
• EU long-term residence permit = Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt-EU (pursuant to Section 9a of the German Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz))

• All forms of economic activity are permitted
• It is not subject to any time limits or geographical restrictions

Permanent settlement permits are issued in line with various requirements and legal bases.

All permanent settlement permits offer the same benefits, irrespective of their legal basis.

Which permanent settlement permit is possible for you also depends on which temporary residence permit you currently hold.

• Permanent settlement permit – general
• Permanent settlement permit for qualified skilled workers
• Permanent settlement permit for EU Blue Card holders
• Permanent settlement permit for persons recognized as entitled to asylum and recognized refugees
• Permanent settlement permit for persons entitled to subsidiary protection or holders of a residence permit with a federal approval for admission
• Permanent settlement permit for family members of German citizens
• Permanent settlement permit for children aged 16 years or older

The EU long-term residence permit offers you greater mobility both inside and outside the EU:

• If you wish to live outside the EU or in Denmark or Ireland, you can leave the federal territory for up to 12 months. Your EU long-term residence permit will not expire as a result. If you or a member of your family had an EU Blue Card before your EU long-term residence permit was issued, you can leave the federal territory for no less than 24 months.

• If you want to move to another EU member state, you can stay there for up to 6 years. Your EU long-term residence permit will not expire as a result. (This does not apply to stays in the following EU countries: Denmark and Ireland!)

• In order to receive the required residence permit in another EU country, you do not need to apply for a visa in advance at the relevant EU country’s embassy. You can travel directly to the other EU country and apply for a residence permit when you are there.

• We have provided a separate quick check for each permanent settlement permit.
• This allows you to quickly and easily determine whether your application is likely to be successful.
• To do this, click on the permanent settlement permit you require and then on “Complete it online now”.

• You will need various documents and proof for the online application. In most cases, you will have to pay a processing fee before you can submit the application.
• You can find all the information about this in the permanent settlement permit that is right for you.

• After submitting your data in the online application, you will be shown a PDF document confirming your application. Please make sure you save this document and print it out if possible.
• After you have submitted your online application, you will either be given an appointment to come in immediately after it has been checked or you will be asked to submit further documents.
• Due to the very high number of applications, it may take some time before you receive a response. Please refrain from making any inquiries during this time.

Please only use our online applications to apply for one of the above-mentioned permanent residence titles.

Applications that reach our authority by other means (e.g. via contact form or letter) can only be processed on a secondary basis for organizational reasons.

If you are staying to do a degree or for other educational purposes, you cannot usually be issued with a permanent settlement permit or an EU long-term residence permit during your stay.