Permanent Residence in Germany
One documented route of this kind in Germany, with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Settlement Permit / EU Long-Term Residence (§9, §18c, §9a AufenthG)
Permanent residence in the form of a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or EU long-term residence permit (§9a), granting indefinite stay and full labour-market access.
- Processing time
- Not centrally fixed; varies by foreigners authority.
- Validity
- Indefinite.
- Language requirement
- Generally B1 German (A1 for the 27-month EU Blue Card route).
- Permanent residence
- General settlement permit after 5 years; skilled workers after 3 years (§18c(1)); EU Blue Card holders after 27 months (A1) or 21 months (B1).
- Citizenship
- Naturalisation after 5 years (3 with exceptional integration).
Requirements
- Proof of qualifying residence period
- Pension-insurance record (60 months general; 36 for skilled workers; 27/21 for Blue Card)
- B1 (or A1 for the 27-month Blue Card route) language certificate
- 'Living in Germany' integration knowledge proof
- Proof of secured livelihood
- Proof of adequate living space
- Health insurance
Required Documents
- Proof of qualifying residence period required
- Pension-insurance record required
- Language certificate (B1 or A1 as applicable) required
- 'Living in Germany' test certificate required
- Proof of secured livelihood and living space required
- Proof of health insurance required
Official fees
- Settlement permit — skilled/highly qualified (§44 AufenthV) 147 EUR
- Settlement permit — self-employed 124 EUR
- Settlement permit — general 113 EUR
- Settlement permit — minors 55 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Meet the clock
Reach the qualifying residence period for your title.
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2
Compile the evidence file
Gather pension record, language and integration certificates, livelihood and housing proof.
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3
Apply at the foreigners authority
Submit the application to the local Ausländerbehörde.
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4
Receive eAT
The settlement permit is issued as an eAT card.