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Submit a declaration of commitment

If you want to enable one or more foreign guests to stay in Germany, you can commit to providing for his or her living expenses.

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Detailed description

People from third countries who wish to enter or stay in Germany usually require a visa or residence permit. When applying for a visa or residence permit, they must prove that they are able to support themselves while they are in Germany.

People from third countries are people from countries that are not part of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

If you invite people from third countries to Germany and want to enable them to enter or stay in Germany, you can undertake to cover the living costs of the person or people you invite. In addition to food, accommodation and clothing, living costs also include care in the event of illness and need for nursing care. The obligation to pay also includes covering any costs of repatriation to the home country. Before you submit the declaration of commitment, you must describe your own financial situation and prove your ability to pay.

The declaration of commitment enables third-country nationals to provide evidence that they meet the economic requirements for the issuance of a residence permit or a Schengen visa.

A declaration of commitment can be made by natural or legal persons (for example companies, charitable associations).

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • As a declarant, you must be legally competent and at least 18 years old.
  • In order to submit a declaration of commitment, the income of the person making the declaration must be sufficient. The income is checked in advance. It also depends on how many dependent family members must be taken into account

Documents required

  • Guest’s ID card or passport
  • Identity card with online ID function (for online submission)
  • eID card (for online submission)
  • residence permit
  • Electronic residence permit (for online submission)
  • For representation: Power of attorney
  • Evidence of your own financial situation and solvency
    • for employees: copy of the last three pay slips
    • for self-employed persons: certificate from the tax advisor about the net income

Please note

A declaration of commitment will be handed out at the appointment, but can also be requested in advance.
It is important to know what obligations the donor or the host is entering into when making a declaration of commitment. If the guest no longer wants to leave the country for various reasons, the donor must provide financial support for the guest for up to 5 years.
This means that a declaration of commitment is valid for a maximum of 5 years. As soon as the guest leaves the country, the validity ends.

Deadlines

Appointments should be made in good time so that guests have enough time to make appointments at embassies abroad.


In addition, the postal service must be taken into account because the declaration of commitment must be sent to the guest by post. The original must be available to the guest.

Procedure

  • Short-term commitments are possible at all residents' affairs locations;
    • The appointment can be booked online.
    • The exceptions are Billstedt and Bergedorf. In the foreign affairs offices there, contact is made by email.
  • Long-term commitments must be submitted to the immigration office responsible for the place of residence. Contact will be made by email.

Processing time

The declaration of commitment will be issued and handed over directly on site.

Fees


  • The fee is €29 per form (preferable payment by debit card)

Legal remedies

An appeal against the negative decision can be lodged with the authority within one month of notification.

Legal basis

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Keywords: foreigners Authority Liability, LG Visa application Accommodation in Germany Residence Act Third-country nationals Issuing of residence permit Secure livelihood Invitation for foreign guests Section 5 paragraph 1 Residence Act (AufenthG) § 66 Residence Act (AufenthG) § 68 Residence Act (AufenthG)

Last updated: 22.03.2025