Apply for a permanent EU residence permit

Prerequisites

• You have held a valid residence permit continuously for at least 5 years.
• You or your spouse have made contributions or expenditures for adequate retirement provision for 5 years.
• They independently secure their livelihood and that of their family members.
• You and your family members have adequate health and long-term care insurance.
• They have knowledge of the German language at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• They possess basic knowledge of the legal and social system as well as of living conditions in Germany (for example, through completion of the integration course).
• They have not committed any crimes.
• They have sufficient living space for themselves and their family members.
• You have fulfilled your tax obligations.

Documents required

• valid national passport
• Employment contract
• current certificate from the employer as well as copies of the last 12 payslips or
• Proof of self-employment or freelance work, including the corresponding income statements for the last 12 months.
• Certificate “Living in Germany” and language certificate B1 or higher or
• Proof of a school leaving certificate acquired in Germany, or of completed vocational training or studies
• Current pension insurance record from the German Pension Insurance or other proof of sufficient retirement provision
• Rental agreement with current rent amount
• Proof of health and long-term care insurance
• Tax certificate from the tax office
• biometric passport photo in electronic form
• You can have a passport photo taken on site. A photo booth is available.
• You can have a passport photo taken by a certified photographer who will then make it available electronically to the relevant authority via a cloud.

Please note

Deadlines

No

Procedure

• They use the provided online service to apply for the residence permit and upload the required documents.
  • Please note: The "EU long-term residence permit" option cannot be selected directly in the online service. Therefore, please use the free text field for messages and comments and submit your application there in writing.
• The relevant authority will then send you an appointment for a consultation.
• Please bring all necessary documents, preferably in original form, to the appointment.
• The relevant authority will verify your identity and documents.
• The responsible authority will involve other authorities if necessary.
• You pay the necessary fees.
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints, signature and a biometric photo will be taken for the production of the electronic residence permit (eAT).
• The responsible authority commissions an external body, the Federal Printing Office, to produce your eAT.
• Once your electronic residence permit (eAT) is ready, you can collect it in person from the responsible office. The office will contact you to schedule an appointment.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice stating the reasons for the rejection.

Processing time

Your application typically takes 6 to 8 weeks to process. If documents are missing, the processing time will be extended accordingly. The production of your electronic residence permit by the Federal Printing Office takes an additional 4 to 6 weeks.

Fees

€109 (preferred payment by debit card)


Account number: 2037




You must always pay the processing fee. If your application is rejected, you will not receive a refund – not even a partial one. You can submit a new application at any time.

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Section 9a of the Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__9a.html


Section 9b of the Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__9b.html


Section 9c of the Residence Act (AufenthG)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__9c.html


Section 44a of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthv/__44a.html