If you have an EU Blue Card, you will be granted a permanent residence permit upon application. To qualify, you must

• have been working in a job subject to social insurance contributions for at least 33 months and
• have a basic knowledge of German.

The period is only 21 months if you have sufficient knowledge of German.

The requirements for a settlement permit for EU Blue Card holders are:

• Written application to the relevant immigration office
• Valid passport or passport substitute and verified identity
• Possession of a valid EU Blue Card
• At least 33 months of employment and basic German language skills (level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

or

• At least 21 months of employment and sufficient German language skills (level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
• Pension provision (at least 33 or 21 months of compulsory contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme or expenses for entitlement to comparable benefits)
• Secure livelihood through own income
• Adequate health insurance and sufficient living space
• No criminal offenses

Since September 1, 2011, you can obtain a settlement permit in the form of a check card with additional electronic functions. For more information, please visit :

Processing may take several weeks, as other authorities are also involved in the procedure.

• valid passport
• 1 current biometric passport photo
• Proof of income
• Proof of retirement provisions
• Proof of health insurance coverage
• Rental agreement or purchase agreement stating the living space
• Proof of other benefits received (e.g., child benefit, parental allowance, etc.)
• Proof of basic or sufficient German language skills
• Successful completion of the "Life in Germany" test

Please note that further proof may be requested in individual cases.

• Fee: EUR 113.
  00 Please note that even if your application is rejected, you may still be charged half of the application fee.