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Apply for a settlement permit

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If you hold a residence permit, you can, under certain conditions, obtain a permanent settlement permit after five years.
The settlement permit is a permanent residence permit.

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Residence Permit Hamburg
Residence permit Hamburg

Detailed description

The settlement permit was introduced as a residence permit with the Immigration Act.

In contrast to the residence permit, the settlement permit is a permanent residence permit. It entitles the holder to pursue gainful employment, is not geographically restricted and may not be subject to any additional conditions, except in cases permitted by the Residence Act.

The granting of a permanent settlement permit is based on various legal bases.
Examples of the most common cases:

  • Have held a residence permit as a family member of a German for at least 3 years
  • Have held a residence permit as a skilled worker for at least 4 years
  • Have held a residence permit as an employee or family member of a foreigner for at least 5 years
  • At least 7 years of holding a residence permit for stays on humanitarian grounds

In some cases, a settlement permit can be issued under simplified conditions. This applies if you belong to one of these groups of people and can provide appropriate evidence:

  • Holders of an EU Blue Card (at least 33 months in qualified employment)
  • Graduates of a degree or vocational training course in Germany (employed in Germany for at least 2 years after graduation)
  • Self-employed (3 years)

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You must have held a valid residence permit for at least five years without interruption.
  • You should be able to demonstrate to the immigration authorities that you have resided in the federal territory for the five years (for example, by providing proof of attendance at an educational institution or employment).
  • You have knowledge of the German language at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
  • The cost of living (including health insurance) must be secured, i.e. covered from one's own resources.
  • 60 months of compulsory contributions or voluntary contributions to statutory pension insurance
  • There must be no reasons of public security that speak against the applicant's stay (for example, there must be no interest in their deportation).
  • Permits for permanent professional practice are available (can also be presented by the spouse or life partner).
  • Basic knowledge of the legal and social system and living conditions in Germany is available.
  • Sufficient living space must be proven.

Documents required

  • Application via the online service Residence Permit Hamburg
  • valid national passport
  • Employment or extension contract
  • current certificate from the employer
  • last 12 pay slips
  • Certificate “Living in Germany”
  • Language certificate
  • current pension insurance history from the German Pension Insurance
  • Rental agreement and current rent

If you have a domestic school leaving certificate or successfully completed training/study, the language certificate and the “Living in Germany” certificate are no longer necessary.

A current biometric passport photo is required for the appointment.

Please note

The processing fee must always be paid. If the application is rejected, the fee will not be refunded, not even partially. A new application can be submitted at any time.

Deadlines

The customer must have been legally resident in Germany for at least 5 years and have fulfilled the 60 months of compulsory pension contributions; an application is not necessary beforehand.

Procedure

The application can be submitted via the Hamburg residence permit online service. For faster processing, it is helpful if all the required documents are already uploaded to the online service.
The customer will then receive an appointment from the responsible clerk as soon as the documents have been checked and the decision has been made. A current biometric passport photo, the national passport and the fee (EC card) must always be brought to the appointment.

Processing time

The processing time usually takes 6 to 8 weeks and also depends on the completeness of the documents and also on the customer.


If documents are missing, the processing time will be extended.




It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit.

Fees


  • 113 € (EC card payment is preferred)

  • Cash register number: 2007

Legal remedies

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

Legal basis

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Keywords: foreigners Authority foreign Office Foreigners Department Residence permit, unlimited eAT Residence permit, electronic Residence, permanent residence Residence, unlimited residence permit § 9 (2) Residence Act (AufenthG)

Last updated: 09.10.2024