Detailed description
Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) do not generally require a residence permit to enter and stay in Germany.
If you are an EU or EEA citizen and have resided legally in Germany for a period of five years, you can acquire permanent residence rights. Permanent residence rights arise immediately by law. You can apply to the immigration authorities for a certificate of permanent residence rights.
Under certain conditions, you can acquire permanent residence status before the five-year period has elapsed, for example 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 for the last twelve months and have since retired from working life due to your age (reaching the age of 65) or due to an early retirement scheme;
- You have given up your job in Germany or in another Member State of the European Union as a result of total incapacity for work caused by an accident at work or an occupational disease and which gives you the right to a pension in Germany;
- you have given up your job in Germany or another Member State of the European Union as a result of total incapacity for work after having previously resided in Germany for at least two years, or
- have been continuously employed in Germany for three years, are now employed in another Member State of the European Union, but still have a residence in Germany to which you return at least once a week.