Apply for a Settlement Permit

You must apply for a residence permit in writing at the immigration office for your primary residence. Depending on where you live, the immigration office may be the city administration or the district office.

As of September 1, 2011, you will receive your settlement permit in the form of a debit card with additional electronic functions. For more information, see "Apply for an Electronic Residence Permit (eAT)."

• Apply for an Electronic Residence Permit (eAT)

The requirements for a settlement permit are:

• Your identity has been verified, and you meet the passport requirement.
  To meet the passport requirement, it is sufficient to have a substitute form of identification.
• Your livelihood is secure without having to rely on public funds. Your
  livelihood is considered secure if you
  • Income equal to the basic social assistance rate plus
  • Costs for housing and heating, as well as
  • to generate any health insurance premiums.
• There are no grounds for deporting you.
• They have no criminal record.
• Your stay does not endanger or harm 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 were granted the residence permit, other time limits may apply.
• You have paid contributions for 5 years into the statutory pension insurance system or into another pension plan offering comparable benefits.
• You are permitted to engage in gainful employment and have all the necessary permits to do so.
• You have a sufficient command of German as well as a basic understanding of the German legal and social systems.
• You have plenty of living space for yourself and your family.

Note: In some cases, different requirements and length-of-stay limits apply, e.g., for

• Highly qualified
• Graduates of German universities
• Holders of an EU Blue Card
• former Germans
• Self-Employed Individuals
• Family members of German nationals (spouse, unmarried minor children)
• Asylum Recipients and Convention Refugees

• Residence Permit

• Proof of Compliance with Passport and Visa Requirements
• Proof of a secure source of income
• Proof that there are no grounds for deportation against you
• Evidence that you do not endanger or harm 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 plan
• Proof that you are authorized to work and possess the necessary permits
• Proof of sufficient German language proficiency and a basic understanding of the German legal and social systems
• Proof of sufficient living space for yourself and your family

• Section 9, paragraph 2 and paragraph 3, sentence 3, of the Residence Act (AufenthG)
• Section 44, No. 3 of the Residence Regulation (AufenthV)
• § 50 of the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

• Application for Issuance/Renewal (PDF Application)
• Application for a Residence Permit (PDF Application)
• Rent Certificate for Submission to the Immigration Office (PDF document)
• Power of Attorney for Pickup of Identification Document (PDF document)