Bundesportal | Issuing a settlement permit

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Publisher

Rhineland-Palatinate

Last update or date of publication

July 6, 2022

Contact

The government service telephone number 115 – your point of contact for questions related to the federal, state and local.

Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 (and beyond these times in some regions).

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As the holder of a residence permit, you may, under certain conditions, obtain a permanent residence permit (known as a “settlement permit”) after five years. The settlement permit constitutes an independent right of residence that is separate from the original purpose of your stay. It entitles you to engage in gainful employment and is unlimited in terms of time and location.
If you belong to one of the following groups, you may be eligible to receive the settlement permit under simplified conditions:

Skilled workers and researchers,
Self-employed individuals,
holders of the EU Blue Card,
Foreign civil servants,
Foreign family members of German citizens,
Spouses or registered domestic partners of foreign nationals with a settlement permit (even if the marriage or registered partnership has been dissolved),
Asylum seekers and recognized refugees,
Minors and young adults with residence permits granted on family or humanitarian grounds who entered Germany before turning 18,
Former German citizens.

Please check separately for the specific eligibility requirements that apply depending on your individual circumstances.

A recognized and valid form of identification (such as a passport or passport substitute)
A recent biometric passport-sized photo (45 x 35 mm)
Proof of sufficient means of support (for example, proof of income, employment contract, pension statement, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental allowance or child allowance, alimony payments) or proof of an illness or disability that prevents the applicant from supporting themselves (for example, through a medical specialist’s statement or proof of residential care).
Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation from a health insurance provider regarding coverage or an insurance policy)
Proof of contributions made to a retirement plan (for example, a pension statement from the German Pension Insurance or proof of entitlement to comparable benefits from another insurance or pension provider) or proof of education (e.g., school certificate, transcripts) or proof of an illness or disability that prevents the individual from making independent retirement savings (e.g., through a specialist medical opinion, proof of placement in a residential facility).
Professional license (e.g., medical license, professional authorization) for the practice of a regulated profession
Proof of German language proficiency at the A1 or B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (e.g., language certificate, German school, vocational training, or college transcripts, or proof of successful completion of an integration course) or proof of an illness, disability, or other reasons that make learning the language permanently impossible or unreasonable (e.g., a medical opinion from a specialist, proof of placement in a residential facility).
Proof of basic knowledge of the legal and social system in Germany (for example, a certificate or confirmation of successful completion of an integration course) or proof of an illness, disability, or other reasons that make learning the language permanently impossible or unreasonable (for example, through a medical specialist’s opinion or proof of placement in a residential facility).
Proof of adequate living space (rental or purchase agreement that provides information on the living area)
If there was an obligation to participate in the integration course: Certificate of successful completion of the integration course

The documents and information must generally be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may require less or additional documentation.

Preconditions

You have held a valid residence permit for at least five years (periods of residence for the purpose of studying or vocational training count only as half when calculating the total length of residence).
You and your spouse or registered partner can independently provide for your own livelihood (including health insurance) for yourselves (and your family)—that is, without relying on public benefits. Living expenses may also be covered by third parties (for example, spouses, registered partners, or parents).
Providing for one’s own livelihood is not required if there is an illness or disability that prevents one from doing so independently.
You have made at least 60 months of mandatory or voluntary contributions to the statutory pension insurance system or have paid premiums to qualify for comparable benefits from an insurance company. In a marriage or registered domestic partnership, it is sufficient if the partner meets this requirement. This requirement does not need to be met if the applicant is enrolled in a training program leading to a recognized school or vocational qualification or a college degree. Proof of this requirement is also not necessary if the applicant has an illness or disability that prevents them from supporting themselves independently.
You hold a permanent work permit and, if you work in a regulated profession, the required professional license (for example, a medical license or professional permit). In a marriage or registered domestic partnership, it is sufficient if your partner holds these permits.
You have sufficient knowledge of German (Level B1). If you were not eligible to participate in an integration course or were not required to do so, a basic knowledge of the German language at the A1 level is sufficient. You are not required to demonstrate these language skills if you have an illness, disability, or other circumstances that make learning the language permanently impossible or unreasonable.
You have a basic understanding of the German legal and social system. You are not required to provide proof of this knowledge if an illness, disability, or other reasons make acquiring this knowledge permanently impossible or unreasonable.
You have sufficient living space (for yourself and your family).
You do not hold a residence permit for which a settlement permit cannot be granted. These are residence permits pursuant to
- Section 24 of the Residence Act (residence granted for temporary protection),
- Section 25(4), first sentence, of the Residence Act (residence permit for urgent personal or humanitarian reasons),
- Section 25(4a), first sentence, or Section 25(4b), first sentence, of the Residence Act (residence permit for certain victims of criminal offenses), or
- Section 104a(1), sentence 1, of the Residence Act (residence permit on probation)
You have no prior criminal convictions.
There is no interest in deporting you.

Hints

Please note the following:

The granting of a settlement permit is at the discretion of the competent immigration authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a decision that is free from errors of discretion.
The proceedings are generally conducted in German.
A settlement permit may expire if the applicant stays outside Germany for more than six months, unless this stay abroad was previously coordinated with the immigration office.
All information provided to the immigration office should be accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the application can be processed without significant delays.
Inaccurate or incomplete information can slow down the process and be detrimental to those involved. In serious cases, inaccurate or incomplete information that is not supplemented or corrected in a timely manner with the Foreigners’ Registration Office may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or deportation from German territory.
Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

Fixed cost:

147 for highly qualified individuals
124 for self-employed individuals
113 for all other residence permits
56.50 euros for minor applicants

Note:

Fees vary depending on the applicant’s category and type of employment.

The timing and method of fee collection and payment vary depending on the agency.

Additional fees may apply for the issuance of a settlement permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card), which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

Lower fees may apply to Turkish nationals.

In certain cases, fee reductions or exemptions may be granted (for example, to persons granted asylum or recognized refugees).

§ 44 of the Residence Regulation (AufenthV)

§ 50 of the Residence Regulation (AufenthV)

Basis for legal action

Section 5 of the Residence Act (AufenthG)

Section 9 of the Residence Act (AufenthG)

Legal Remedies

Appeal Against the Decision of the Immigration Office
Lawsuit before the court specified in the appeal decision if the appeal is denied

Procedure

You must apply for a settlement permit before your current residence permit expires.
Find out whether your immigration office allows you to submit your application online or provides a special application form.
If you can only apply in person, make an appointment at the immigration office. If you apply 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 the settlement permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
The Foreigners’ Registration Office will commission the Federal Printing Office to issue the eAT card. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can pick up the eAT card at the appropriate office. The eAT card must generally be picked up in person.
If your application is denied, you will receive a notice of denial.

Deadlines

Application Deadline: 6 to 8 weeks

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

Validity: The settlement permit is granted for an indefinite period. Only the electronic residence permit (eAT card) is issued for a limited period and must be renewed upon expiration.

Processing time

Duration: approximately 6 to 8 weeks

Note regarding further information on processing times:

Processing times may vary depending on the workload of the Immigration Office.

It takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit.

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