As the holder of a residence permit for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons, you may, under certain conditions, obtain a permanent residence permit (known as a settlement permit) after five years.

If you entered Germany before reaching the age of 18, please also refer to the information on settlement permits for minor children and young adults, for which fewer requirements must be met (see service "Issuance of settlement permits for minor children").

If you have a residence permit as a person entitled to asylum, a recognized refugee under the Geneva Refugee Convention, or a resettlement refugee, you can obtain a settlement permit under simplified conditions (see "Granting of a settlement permit for holders of a residence permit as recognized persons entitled to asylum and refugees").

• You hold a valid residence permit for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons (see Section 5 of the Residence Act).
• You have held the residence permit for at least five years (periods of asylum proceedings are counted).
• You and your spouse or registered partner are able to cover your living expenses (including health insurance) for yourself and your family members without claiming public benefits.
  Please note : Living expenses can also be covered by third parties (e.g., spouses, registered partners, parents).
  Independent means of support are not required if you have an illness or disability that prevents you from supporting yourself independently.
• You have paid at least 60 months of compulsory or voluntary contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme or have incurred expenses for a claim to comparable benefits from an insurance company.
  Please note : In a marriage or registered partnership, it is sufficient if the partner fulfills this requirement.
  The requirement does not have to be met if an illness or disability prevents this.
• You have a permanent work permit and, if you work in a regulated profession, the necessary professional license (e.g., medical license or professional license).
  Please note : In a marriage or registered partnership, it is sufficient if your partner has the necessary permits.
• You have sufficient German language skills (level B1). If you were not entitled to participate in an integration course or were not required to participate, basic knowledge of the German language at level A1 is sufficient.
  Please note : Language skills are not required if you have an illness, disability, or other reasons that make learning the language permanently impossible or unreasonable.
• You have a basic knowledge of German law and society.
  Please note : Proof of knowledge is not required if you have an illness, disability, or other reasons that make it permanently impossible or unreasonable to acquire this knowledge.
• You have sufficient living space (for yourself and your family).
• You do not hold a humanitarian residence permit in accordance with
  • § 24 (granting of residence for temporary protection),
  • § 25 (4) sentence 1 (residence permit for urgent personal or humanitarian reasons),
  • § 25 (4a) sentence 1 or § 25 (4b) sentence 1 (residence permit for certain victims of crime) or
  • § 104a (1) sentence 1 (residence permit on probation)
    of the Residence Act (for which no settlement permit can be granted).
• You have no previous convictions.
• There is no interest in expelling you.

• You must apply for a settlement permit before your current residence permit expires.
• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or provides a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, preferably the originals, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the settlement permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will commission the production of the eAT card from the Federal Printing Office. Once it has been produced, you will be notified and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

• 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 of discretionary errors.

• Minors and young adults who received a residence permit as asylum seekers or recognized refugees before reaching the age of 18 should refer to the service "Residence permit for minor children." This settlement permit is issued on a different legal basis under simplified conditions from the age of 16 (Section 35 of the Residence Act).
  Please note : It is not sufficient to have entered the country as a minor and to have been in ongoing asylum proceedings when reaching the age of majority.
• The procedure is usually conducted in German.
• A settlement permit may expire if the holder stays outside Germany for more than six months without first coordinating this stay abroad with the immigration authorities.
• Holders of a residence permit as persons entitled to asylum or recognized refugees (including resettlement refugees) can, in principle, also obtain a settlement permit under this provision, but a settlement permit under Section 26 (3) of the Residence Act will generally be more favorable for them. Those affected should find out more about the service "Granting of a settlement permit for holders of a residence permit as recognized asylum seekers and refugees."
• All information provided to the Foreigners' Registration Office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the matter can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the process and be detrimental to those affected. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in a timely manner by the immigration authorities can result in the revocation of already granted residence rights, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authorities
• Action before the court named in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

Application deadline:

6 to 8 weeks

The application should be received by the immigration office at least six to eight weeks before the current residence permit expires.

Period of validity:

The settlement permit is issued for an indefinite period. Only the electronic residence permit (eAT card) is issued for a limited period and must be renewed after it expires.

Duration: approx. 6 to 8 weeks

The processing time 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.

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g., passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses (e.g., proof of income, employment contract, pension statement, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child allowance, alimony payments) or proof of an illness or disability that prevents you from earning a living independently (e.g., a medical opinion from a specialist, proof of residential care).
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy)
• Proof of contributions made to a pension plan (e.g., pension information from the German Pension Insurance or proof of entitlement to comparable benefits from another insurance or pension institution) or proof of an illness or disability that prevents you from providing for your own retirement (e.g., through a specialist medical opinion, proof of residential care).
• Professional license (e.g., license to practice medicine, professional license) if you are engaged in a regulated profession
• Proof of knowledge of the German language at level A1 or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (e.g., language certificate, German school, training, or university certificates, or proof of successful participation in an integration course) or proof of an illness, disability, or other reasons that make it impossible or unreasonable to learn the language in the long term (e.g., through a specialist medical opinion, proof of residential care).Proof of basic knowledge of the legal and social system in Germany (e.g., certificate or confirmation of successful participation in an integration course) or proof of illness, disability, or other reasons that make learning the language permanently impossible or unreasonable (e.g., through a specialist medical opinion, proof of residential care).
• Proof of basic knowledge of the legal and social system in Germany (e.g., certificate or confirmation of successful participation in an integration course) or proof of illness, disability, or other reasons that make learning the language permanently impossible or unreasonable (e.g., through a specialist medical opinion, proof of residential care).
• Proof of sufficient living space (rental or purchase agreement that provides information about the living space)
• If there was an obligation to participate in the integration course: Certificate of successful participation in the integration course

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the immigration office may require less or more evidence.

Free of charge

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes