Apply for a settlement permit

You must apply for a settlement permit in writing to the foreigners authority at your main place of residence. Depending on where you live, the foreigners authority is the municipal administration or the district administration.

Since 01.09.2011, you will receive the settlement permit in the form of a cheque card with additional electronic functions. You can find more information on this under "Applying for an electronic residence permit (eAT)".

• Apply for an electronic residence permit (eAT)

The requirements for a settlement permit are

• Your identity has been established and you fulfil the passport requirement.
  To fulfil the passport requirement, it is sufficient if you have a replacement identity document.
• Your livelihood is secured without you drawing on public funds.
  Your livelihood is considered secure if you
  • Income in the amount of the basic social assistance rate plus
  • Costs for accommodation and heating and
  • any health insurance contributions.
• There are no grounds for deportation against you.
• You have no previous convictions.
• Their stay does not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have had a residence permit for 5 years.
  Depending on the purpose of your stay for which you received the residence permit, other time limits may apply.
• You have paid contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme or another pension scheme with comparable benefits for 5 years.
• You are allowed to pursue gainful employment and have all the necessary licences to do so.
• You have sufficient knowledge of German and basic knowledge of the German legal and social system.
• You have plenty of living space for you and your family.

Note: In some cases, other requirements and residence periods apply, e.g. for

• Highly qualified
• Graduates of German universities
• Holders of an EU Blue Card
• Former Germans
• Self-employed
• Family members of Germans (husband or wife, unmarried minor children)
• Persons entitled to asylum and Convention refugees

• Residence permit

• Proof of fulfilment of passport and visa requirements
• Proof of secure livelihood
• Proof that there are no grounds for deportation against you
• Proof that you do not jeopardise or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany
• Proof that you have no criminal record
• Proof that you have held a residence permit for 5 years
• Proof of paid pension insurance contributions or payments to a comparable pension scheme
• Proof that you are authorised to carry out gainful employment and that you have the necessary permits to do so
• Proof of sufficient German language skills and basic knowledge of the German legal and social system
• Proof of sufficient living space for you and your family

• § Section 9 (2) sentence 1 numbers 2 and 4 to 6, 8 and 9, sentences 2 to 4 and 6 Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 44 number 3 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
• § Section 50 (1) sentence 1 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

Do you have a temporary residence permit? After a certain period of time, you can obtain a permanent residence permit that is not restricted in terms of time and place.