As a recognized person entitled to asylum, a refugee under the Geneva Refugee Convention, or a resettlement refugee, you can obtain a permanent residence permit (known as a settlement permit) after three or five years under simplified conditions.

If you are under the age of 18, please first find out about the service "Settlement permit for minor children," which is granted on the basis of Section 35 of the Residence Act (see notes).

• You hold a valid residence permit as:
  • a recognized asylum seeker (Section 25(1) of the Residence Act),
  • a recognized refugee under the Geneva Convention on Refugees (Section 25(2), first sentence, first alternative, of the Residence Act), or
  • a resettled refugee (Section 23(4) of the Residence Act).
• You have held the residence permit for at least five years (the duration of any asylum proceedings is included in this calculation).
• The grounds for your recognition as a person entitled to asylum or as a refugee continue to exist.
  Please note: Three years after recognition, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) will review whether the grounds for recognition may no longer apply. For asylum decisions issued in 2015, 2016, or 2017, the BAMF must have explicitly informed you that the conditions for revocation or withdrawal do not exist, so that you can assume your residence status remains valid.
• If you wish to obtain a settlement permit after three years :
  • You are proficient in the German language (Level C1),
  • You and your spouse or partner are generally able to cover more than 75% of the living expenses for yourselves and your household family members without relying on public benefits.
• If you wish to obtain a settlement permit after five years :
  • You have sufficient knowledge of German (level A2),
  • You and your spouse or domestic partner are generally able to cover more than 50% of the living expenses for yourselves and your family members living in your household without relying on public benefits.
    Please note: This requirement does not apply if you have reached retirement age.
• You must hold a permanent work permit.
  Please note: In a marriage or registered civil partnership, it is sufficient for the partner to hold the work permit.
• If you work in a regulated profession, you must hold the required professional license (for example, a medical license or professional permit).
  Please note: In a marriage or registered domestic partnership, it is sufficient for the partner to hold the license.
• You have a basic understanding of the German legal and social system.
  Please note: Orientation courses offered by the BAMF provide this knowledge.
• You have sufficient living space for yourself and the family members living in your household.
• You have adequate health insurance.
• You have no criminal record.
• There are no grounds for deportation against you.

• You must apply for a settlement permit before your current residence permit expires.
• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or provides a specific application form.
• If you can only apply in person, make an appointment at the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably the originals).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to issue the settlement permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners’ Registration Office will commission the Federal Printing Office to produce the eAT card. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can pick up the eAT card at the appropriate office. The eAT card must generally be picked up in person.
• If your application is denied, you will receive a notice of denial.

• Minors and young adults who received a residence permit as a person entitled to asylum or a recognized refugee before turning 18 should refer to the section titled “Granting of a Settlement Permit for Minor Children.” This settlement permit is granted on a different legal basis under simplified conditions starting at age 16 (Section 35 of the Residence Act).
• The procedure is generally conducted in German.
• A settlement permit may expire if the holder stays outside Germany for more than six months, unless this stay abroad was previously coordinated with the Foreigners’ Registration Office.
• Individuals who hold a residence permit for other humanitarian reasons may also receive a settlement permit after five years. However, the requirements for this are different.
• Be sure to provide accurate and complete information to the best of your knowledge and belief. This is the only way the Foreigners’ Registration Office can process your application without significant delays.
• Inaccurate or incomplete information can slow down the process and be to your detriment. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not supplemented or corrected in a timely manner with the Foreigners’ Registration Office may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or deportation from German territory.

• Appeal against the decision of the Immigration Office
• Lawsuit before the court specified in the notice of decision on the appeal, if the appeal is denied

6 to 8 weeks

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The application should be received by the immigration office no later than 6 to 8 weeks before the current residence permit expires.

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The settlement permit is issued for an indefinite period. Only the electronic residence permit (eAT card) is issued for a limited period and must be renewed after it expires.

Duration: approx. 6 to 8 weeks

Note for further information on processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the immigration office.

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

• A recognized and valid form of identification (such as a passport or passport substitute)
• A recent biometric passport-sized photo (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient means of support (e.g., proof of income, employment contract, pension notice, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child allowance, alimony payments).
  Please note: Proof of sufficient means of support may also be provided by third parties (e.g., spouses, registered partners, parents).
  After a period of residence of five years, proof of sufficient means of support may be waived if the applicant has reached retirement age or has an illness or disability that prevents them from supporting themselves. This must be documented in an appropriate manner (for example, through a pension notice, a medical opinion from a specialist, or proof of placement in a care facility).
• Proof of health insurance coverage (for example, confirmation of coverage from the health insurance provider or an insurance policy)
• Proof of German language proficiency at level A2 (for a five-year period of residence) or C1 (for a three-year period of residence) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (e.g., language certificate, German school, vocational training, or university transcripts)
  Please note : After a five-year period of residence, proof of successful completion of an integration course may be submitted.
  Proof of language proficiency may be waived if the applicant has an illness or disability that prevents them from learning the language. This must be documented in an appropriate manner (for example, through a medical opinion from a specialist, proof of institutional care, or other reasons that make learning the language permanently impossible or unreasonable).
• Proof of basic knowledge of the legal and social system in Germany (for example, a certificate or attestation of successful completion of the integration course)
  Please note: After a residence period of five years, this proof may be waived if there is an illness or disability that prevents the acquisition of this knowledge. This must be documented in an appropriate manner (for example, through a medical opinion from a specialist, proof of institutional care, or other reasons that make acquiring this knowledge permanently impossible or unreasonable).
• Proof of adequate living space (rental or purchase agreement specifying the living area)
• Professional license (e.g., medical license, professional authorization) for the practice of a regulated profession (in a marriage or registered domestic partnership, proof may also be provided by the partner).
• If there was an obligation to participate in an integration course: Certificate of successful completion of the integration course

The documents and information must generally be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may require less or additional documentation.

Free of charge

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes