As the holder of a residence permit for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons, you may, under certain conditions, obtain a permanent residence permit (known as a settlement permit) after five years.

If you entered Germany before reaching the age of 18, please also refer to the information on settlement permits for minor children and young adults, for which fewer requirements must be met (see service "Issuance of settlement permits for minor children").

If you have a residence permit as a person entitled to asylum, a recognized refugee under the Geneva Refugee Convention, or a resettlement refugee, you can obtain a settlement permit under simplified conditions (see "Granting of a settlement permit for holders of a residence permit as recognized persons entitled to asylum and refugees").

• You hold a valid residence permit granted on grounds of international law, humanitarian reasons, or political reasons (see Section 5 of the Residence Act)
• You have held the residence permit for at least five years (the time spent in asylum proceedings counts toward this period).
• You and your spouse or registered partner are able to support yourselves (including health insurance) and the family members living in your household without relying on public assistance.
  Please note : Financial support may also be provided by third parties (for example, spouses, registered partners, or parents).
  Independent financial support is not required if you have an illness or disability that prevents you from providing for yourself.
• You have made at least 60 months of mandatory or voluntary contributions to the statutory pension insurance system or have paid premiums to be eligible for comparable benefits from an insurance company.
  Please note : In a marriage or registered partnership, it is sufficient if the partner meets this requirement.
  This requirement does not need to be met if an illness or disability prevents you from meeting it.
• You hold a permanent work permit and, if you work in a regulated profession, the required professional license (for example, a medical license or professional authorization).
  Please note : In a marriage or registered domestic partnership, it is sufficient if your partner holds these permits.
• You have sufficient knowledge of German (Level B1). If you were not eligible to participate in an integration course or were not required to do so, a basic knowledge of German at Level A1 is sufficient.
  Please note : You are not required to demonstrate language proficiency if you have a medical condition, disability, or other circumstances that make learning the language permanently impossible or unreasonable.
• You have a basic understanding of German law and social order.
  Please note : You are not required to demonstrate this knowledge if an illness, disability, or other reasons make acquiring this knowledge permanently impossible or unreasonable.
• You have sufficient living space (for yourself and your family).
• You do not hold a humanitarian residence permit under
  • Section 24 (Residence Permit Granted for Temporary Protection),
  • § 25(4), sentence 1 (residence permit for urgent personal or humanitarian reasons),
  • § 25(4a), sentence 1, or § 25(4b), sentence 1 (residence permit for certain victims of criminal offenses), or
  • § 104a(1), sentence 1 (residence permit on probation)
    of the Residence Act (a settlement permit cannot be granted for these).
• You have no prior criminal convictions.
• There is no interest in deporting 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 issue 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.

• The granting of a settlement permit is at the discretion of the competent immigration authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a decision that is free from errors of discretion.

• Minors and young adults who received a residence permit as a person entitled to asylum or a recognized refugee before reaching the age of 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).
  Please note : It is not sufficient to have entered the country as a minor and to have been in an ongoing asylum proceeding upon reaching the age of majority.
• The procedure is generally conducted in German.
• A settlement permit may expire if you stay outside Germany for more than six months without having previously coordinated this stay abroad with the Foreigners’ Registration Office.
• Holders of a residence permit as a person entitled to asylum or a recognized refugee (including resettled refugees) may generally also obtain a settlement permit under this provision; however, a settlement permit under Section 26(3) of the Residence Act will typically be more advantageous for them. Those affected should please refer to the service “Granting of a Settlement Permit to Holders of a Residence Permit as Recognized Asylum Seekers and Refugees.”
• All information provided to the Foreigners’ Registration Office should be accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the matter can be processed without significant delays.
• Inaccurate or incomplete information can slow down the process and be detrimental to those affected. 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 the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

• 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

Application deadline:

6 to 8 weeks

The application should be received by the immigration office at least six to eight weeks before the current residence permit expires.

Period of validity:

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

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.

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

• 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 to support oneself (e.g., proof of income, employment contract, pension notice, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child allowance, alimony payments) or proof of an illness or disability that prevents the individual from supporting themselves (for example, through a medical specialist’s statement or proof of placement in a residential facility).
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of coverage from a health insurance provider or an insurance policy)
• Proof of contributions made to a retirement plan (e.g., pension statement from the German Pension Insurance or proof of entitlement to comparable benefits from another insurance or pension provider) or proof of an illness or disability that prevents the individual from making independent retirement provisions (for example, through a specialist medical opinion or proof of placement in a nursing home).
• Professional license (e.g., medical license, professional authorization) if practicing a regulated profession
• Proof of German language proficiency at the A1 or B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (e.g., language certificate, German school, vocational training, or university transcripts, or proof of successful completion of an integration course) or proof of an illness, disability, or other reasons that make learning the language permanently impossible or unreasonable (e.g., a medical specialist’s opinion, proof of residential care).Proof of basic knowledge of the legal and social system in Germany (e.g., a certificate or attestation of successful completion of an integration course) or proof of an illness, disability, or other reasons that make learning the language permanently impossible or unreasonable (for example, through a medical specialist’s opinion or proof of placement in a residential facility).
• Proof of basic knowledge of the legal and social system in Germany (for example, a certificate or attestation of successful completion of an integration course) or proof of an illness, disability, or other reasons that make learning the language impossible or unreasonable in the long term (for example, through a medical specialist’s opinion or proof of placement in a residential facility).
• Proof of adequate living space (rental or purchase agreement that provides information on the living area)
• If there was an obligation to participate in the integration course: a 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