Permanent Residence in Germany

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Anastasiia Lushyna

Anastasiia is a content creator, writer, and motorcycle traveler with experience living in 4 different countries. She has been exploring the world and its cultural diversity since 2010.

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Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: July 19, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

After moving to Germany, you will be able to get only a temporary residence permit. However, after some time, you may become eligible to get a permanent residence permit that offers more rights and benefits.

What is a German permanent residence permit?

The German permanent residence permit, also called the settlement permit or Niederlassungserlaubnis, is given to applicants who were holding a temporary residence permit for a specific period of time or those with the EU Blue Card. The latter option is virtually identical to the standard Germany permanent residence permit. The only significant difference is that the EU variant allows holders to settle in another member state in case they meet its specific requirements.

What are the benefits of a German permanent residence permit?

The benefits of obtaining a German permanent residence permit are as follows:

• Secured residence.
• Facilitated family reunification
• The right to live, work, and study in Germany indefinitely
• The right to change the job regardless of the qualification
• The right to start a business
• Better credit rating
• The right to get a bank loan
• Access to Social Security benefits
• The right to travel within the EU freely
• Advanced access to the German healthcare system
• The eligibility for a financial assistance program that provides first home-owner grants
• Access to higher education student loans
• No need to renew the permit every few years

Additionally, obtaining a permanent residence permit makes it easier to apply for German citizenship as it works as additional proof that you have already integrated into society.

When can you apply for a German permanent residence permit?

For any permanent residence permit, you need to spend a certain amount of time in a country. In Germany, this amount varies depending on the current work permit:

• 21 months: if you are an EU Blue Card holder with the CEFR Level B1 of German.
• 2 years: if you are a skilled professional with vocational training or a German university degree.
• 33 months: if you are an EU Blue Card holder with a basic command of the German language (i.e. at least CEFR Level A1).
• 3 years: if you are self-employed.
• 3 years: if you are a family member of a German national.
• 3 years: if you are an asylum or refugee status seeker and earn your own livelihood in Germany and have at least CEFR Level C1 of the German language.
• 4 years: if you are considered a skilled professional.
• 5 years: if you hold any other type of German work permit or in case you are an asylum seeker in Germany or have a refugee status.

Note that foreign nationals with temporary permits for study purposes cannot apply for the settlement permit.

What documents are required?

The list of documents required for applying for a German permanent residence permit is as follows:

• A valid foreign passport
• One recent passport photo
• Language proficiency certificate
• Proof of income (must be enough for you and your family)
• Certificate of Registration of Address
• Documents proving home ownership or rental
• Health insurance documents
• Marriage certificate (when applicable)
• Proof of social security contributions
• Audit report and latest tax assessment (for self-employed applicants)
• An employment contract, salary statements, certificate of employment, and a certificate from the German pension insurance authorities (for salaried employees)
• A professional license (for highly qualified workers)
• A German university degree or vocational certificate (if applicable)
• Notice of pension entitlement (if you are a retiree)
• A completed and signed application form
• Fee payment receipt

Note that you will also have to pass a so-called “Life in Germany” test to prove your knowledge of the language, social values, legal systems, culture, and your rights and obligations.

How to apply for permanent residency in Germany?

After you make sure that you are eligible to get a German permanent residence permit and register your German address, the next steps are as follows:

1. Prepare the documents and fill in your application form.
2. Book an appointment at your local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde). This can be done in person, online, or over the phone — everything depends on where exactly you live.
3. On the date of appointment, visit the office with all your documents and an application form. Note that in case you are a spouse of a German citizen and apply for residency on this basis, both of you should come.
4. Attend the interview with an immigration officer.
5. During the interview, submit the documents and pay the fee.

After the interview, you will have to wait for around 2-3 weeks until the immigration office makes a decision regarding your application. Keep in mind that the process may take more time in case you are asked to provide additional documents. To ensure fast completion of the process, collect as many documents as you can before the interview takes place.

Can your family members get permanent residency?

Yes, but your family members will have to meet the same criteria and go through the same application process. For instance, if your spouse (a non-German national) entered Germany on the basis of a family reunion visa and is living there with you, they will also have to hold a temporary residence permit for a specific period of time and collect the above-mentioned documents before applying for a permanent permit.

However, if you obtain German citizenship, your family members will be able to apply for permanent residency after only 3 years.

What are German permanent residence fees?

Processing fees depend on your current working permit:

• Freelancers or self-employed workers: €124
• Highly-qualified workers: €147
• Skilled professionals and other categories: €113
• Turkish citizens: €28.80

What if your application is rejected?

Application rejection is a rare case, but if this happens, the immigration office will provide a clear explanation in written form. If you are sure that you meet all the requirements and think that the office has overlooked some important details, you can ask for reconsideration.

As a last resort, you can also approach German administrative courts with your case. However, again, permanent residency applications are rarely rejected since applicants have already met most of the conditions by obtaining temporary permits.

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