Hamburg Welcome Center

Apply for a settlement permit for holders of an EU Blue Card

Prerequisites

• You have held a valid EU Blue Card for at least 21 months.
• During the period of validity of your EU Blue Card, you were continuously employed in accordance with your professional qualifications and earned the required minimum gross salary.
• You would like to continue your work in a job that matches your qualifications and offers the appropriate minimum salary.
• You can secure your livelihood and health insurance coverage from your income without relying on public benefits.
• You have a permanent work permit.
• If you work in a regulated profession: You have a professional license (for example, a license to practice or a professional permit).
• If you wish to obtain a settlement permit after 21 months: You have sufficient knowledge of the German language (level B1) and basic knowledge of the German legal and social system.
• If you wish to obtain a settlement permit after 27 months: You have basic knowledge of the German language (level A1)
• You have sufficient living space for yourself and your family members.
• You have no criminal record.

Documents required

• Valid passport or passport replacement
• Biometric passport photo in electronic form
  • You can have your passport photo taken on-site. A photo booth is available.
• Employment contract or, in the case of a change of employer, a binding job offer
• Proof of previous employment subject to compulsory insurance for a period of at least 21 or 27 months (including paid insurance contributions, for example by submitting a pension statement)
• Proof of securing your livelihood (e.g. proof of income, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child benefit, maintenance payments)
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g. confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy)
• Proof of German language skills at level A1 (after 27 months) or B1 (after 21 months)
• Professional authorization when practicing a regulated profession (e.g. license to practice or professional permit)
• Proof of basic knowledge of the German legal and social system (after 21 months, e.g., certificate of passing the "Living in Germany" test)
• Proof of sufficient living space (rental or purchase agreement that provides information about the living space)

You must submit the documents in German. In individual cases, the responsible authority may require fewer or more documents from you.

Please note

Deadlines

Submit your application at least 8 weeks before your current residence permit expires.


The settlement permit is valid indefinitely.


The card issued through this (eAT) is valid for 10 years and must then be updated.

Procedure

• You use the online service "Residence Permit Hamburg" to apply for a settlement permit and upload the required documents.
  • If you need to submit additional documents, please do so via the service portal "Resolve issues regarding your residence permit".
• The responsible office will then send you an appointment for an interview.
• Please bring all necessary documents, preferably in original, to the appointment.
• The responsible authority will check your identity and documents.
• The competent authority shall involve other authorities where necessary.
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints, signature and a biometric photo will be taken to produce the electronic residence permit (eAT).
• The responsible authority commissions an external agency, the Federal Printing Office, to produce your eAT.
• As soon as the eAT is ready, you will receive a notification and can pick it up in person from the responsible office. The responsible office will schedule an appointment for you.
• If the application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice with the reasons for the rejection.

Processing time

Processing will begin immediately at the appointment if all documents are complete. The delivery time for the electronic residence permit from the Federal Printing Office is typically two to four weeks.

Fees

Processing fee: 113.00 EUR


Biometric photo on site: 6.00 euros

Legal remedies

Contradiction


Action before the administrative court

Legal basis

Section 18c paragraph 2 Residence Act (AufenthG)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18c.html