Certificate of permanent residence Issuance for Union citizens entitled to free movement

EU and EEA citizens who have acquired a permanent right of residence can apply to the Foreigners' Registration Office for a certificate attesting to the existence of this right.

Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) do not require a residence permit to enter and stay in Germany.

If you are an EU and EEA citizen and have resided legally in Germany for a period of five years, you can acquire a permanent right of residence. The right of permanent residence arises directly by operation of law. You can apply to the Foreigners' Registration Office for a certificate of permanent residence.

Under certain conditions, you can acquire a permanent right of residence before the expiry of five years, e.g. if you:

• have resided permanently in Germany for at least three years, have been gainfully employed in Germany or in another Member State of the European Union during the last twelve months and have in the meantime retired because of their age (reaching the age of 65) or because of an early retirement scheme;
• have ceased their profession practised in Germany or in another Member State of the European Union as a result of a total incapacity for work caused by an accident at work or an occupational disease and which gives entitlement to a pension in Germany;
• have given up your profession practised in Germany or in another Member State of the European Union as a result of a complete reduction in earning capacity, after having previously resided permanently in Germany for at least two years, or
• have been permanently employed in Germany for three years, are now working in another Member State of the European Union, but still have a residence in Germany to which you return at least once a week.

The certificate of permanent residence is issued by the Foreigners' Registration Office after it has checked whether you have reached the required periods of residence in Germany. For this purpose, it is not necessary that you have resided continuously in Germany during the required period. Certain absences from the Federal territory are irrelevant for the acquisition of the right of permanent residence. Thus, even when leaving the Federal territory for a total of six months a year, for the performance of military service or alternative service or for good cause once for up to twelve consecutive months (e.g. due to a serious illness, studies, vocational training), permanent residence can be assumed. Periods of imprisonment which have not been suspended are not taken into account for the acquisition of the right of permanent residence.

If you have interrupted your stay in Germany for a longer period of time, it is not possible to add up previous and subsequent periods in order to achieve the minimum period of residence required to acquire the right of permanent residence.

If necessary, the immigration authority can also check the legality of your stay, i.e. whether you have fulfilled the requirements of the right to freedom of movement during the entire period.

With the acquisition of the right of permanent residence, you receive an improved ("consolidated") legal position, regardless of your nationality. Thus, the right of permanent residence is independent of the continued existence of the conditions for freedom of movement. In addition, your protection against expulsion increases. However, if you leave Germany for more than two consecutive years, this may result in the loss of the right of permanent residence.

The certificate is issued indefinitely and confirms that you have acquired the right of permanent residence. The document does not constitute an identity document, i.e. You cannot prove your identity with the certificate. Therefore, it does not carry a photograph, nor is there an obligation to update the information in the document in case of changes (e.g. you do not have to have the certificate updated if you have a new passport or identity card issued or your address changes).

If you have not yet reached the age of 18, your legal representative (e.g. the person entitled to personal care) must agree to the planned stay.

The immigration authority responsible for the place of residence of the applicant

The immigration authority responsible for the place of residence of the applicant

You can also get free advice on the topics of entry, residence and work from the "Hotline Working and Living in Germany" of the Federal Government's portal for skilled workers from abroad.

Phone: 030 1815-1111

Service hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Consent of the legal representative to the planned stay if the age of 18 has not yet been reached

The Foreigners' Registration Office may require the submission of the following documents:

• Recognized or otherwise permitted, valid passport or passport substitute
• Proof that the right to freedom of movement has been exercised for the periods of residence completed (e.g. confirmation of registration, employment contract, trade license or proof of self-employment, sufficient resources and sufficient health insurance coverage, certificate of enrolment)

In individual cases, the Foreigners' Registration Office may request further documents.

• Online procedures possible in some cases
• Written form required: yes
• Personal attendance required: yes

• You are a citizen of the EU or EEA
• You can show the necessary periods of residence in Germany (usually five years, in special cases two or three years are sufficient).
• You are legally resident in Germany, i.e. You have fulfilled the conditions of the right to free movement throughout your stay.
• If required, you can provide the evidence and documents mentioned under "Required documents"

A general action for performance may be brought against a negative decision of the Foreigners' Registration Office for the issuance of the certificate on the right of permanent residence.

The certificate must be applied for at the immigration authority responsible for your place of residence .

The procedure is as follows:

• Depending on the immigration authority, it may be possible to apply via the Internet. Find out whether your immigration authority offers electronic applications.

In the event of an electronic application, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you upon receipt of your application in order to request additional documents if necessary and to make an appointment with you at the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your documents will be checked (bring the original with you to the appointment if you are asked to do so).

• If the application is only possible in person, make an appointment with the Foreigners' Registration Office. During the appointment, your details will be received and your proof will be checked (bring the original to the appointment if you are asked to do so).
• After completion of the examination, you will immediately be issued with a certificate of permanent residence or a rejection notice.
• The collection must always be done personally. You must provide a signature at the Foreigners' Registration Office.

• The certificate of permanent residence can be applied for after a permanent legal residence of five years. In special cases, the right of permanent residence can be certified after two or three years.
• The certificate of permanent residence shall be issued without delay for an indefinite period.

Your application for a certificate of permanent residence will be processed as soon as possible

Issuance certificate: EUR 10,00

Under certain conditions, a fee reduction or exemption may be considered.

Note for Swiss nationals:

Because Switzerland is not a member of the EU or the EEA, a different regulation applies to Swiss citizens. The right of residence for Swiss nationals is governed by the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the free movement of persons.

Note for British citizens (Brexit):

On 1 February 2020, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union was completed. For British citizens entitled to free movement and their family members, the right to free movement initially continued to apply until 31 December 2020.

The competent immigration authority provides information on which regulations will apply in individual cases from 1 January 2021