Apply for a settlement permit

Do you have a temporary residence permit? After a certain period of time, you can obtain a settlement permit that is not restricted in terms of time and place.

The settlement permit allows you to pursue gainful employment. It may only contain ancillary provisions (e.g. a ban on political activity) in exceptional cases and provides special protection against deportation.

Note: Holders of a (temporary) residence permit for the purpose of studying or (vocational) training cannot obtain a settlement permit.

To the immigration authorities (district administrators and mayors of towns and cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants) in whose district your main place of residence is located

• Proof of fulfillment of passport and visa requirements
• Proof of secure means of subsistence
• Proof that there are no grounds for deportation against you
• Proof that you do not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
• Proof that you have no criminal record
• Proof that you have held a residence permit for 5 years
• Proof of paid pension insurance contributions or payments to a comparable pension scheme
• Proof that you are allowed to work and have the necessary permits to do so
• Proof of sufficient knowledge of German and basic knowledge of the German legal and social system
• Proof of sufficient living space for yourself and your family

The requirements for a settlement permit are:

• Your identity has been established and you fulfill the passport requirement.
  For the passport requirement, it is sufficient if you have a replacement identity document.
• Your livelihood is secured without you drawing on public funds.
  Your livelihood is considered secure if you
  • Income in the amount of the basic social assistance rate plus
  • costs for accommodation and heating and
  • any health insurance contributions.
• There are no grounds for deportation against you.
• You have no criminal record.
• Your stay does not jeopardize or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have had a residence permit for 5 years.
  Depending on the purpose of your stay for which you received the residence permit, other time limits may apply.
• You have paid contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme or another pension scheme with comparable benefits for 5 years.
• You are allowed to work and have all the necessary permits to do so.
• You have sufficient knowledge of German and basic knowledge of the German legal and social system.
• You have sufficient living space for yourself and your family.

Please note: In some cases, other requirements and residence periods apply, e.g. for

• Highly qualified persons
• Graduates of German universities
• Holders of an EU Blue Card
• Former Germans
• self-employed persons
• Family members of Germans (husband or wife, unmarried minor children)
• Persons entitled to asylum and Convention refugees

You must apply for a settlement permit in writing to the foreigners authority at your main place of residence. Depending on where you live, the foreigners authority is the municipal administration or the district office.

Since 01.09.2011, you will receive the settlement permit in the form of a check card with additional electronic functions. You can find more information on this under "Applying for an electronic residence permit (eAT)".

Issuance: 113€

Settlement permit for self-employed persons: €124

Settlement permit for young people from the age of 16

Minors: € 55

Adults: € 113