Niederlassungserlaubnis beantragen

Do you have a temporary residence permit? After a certain period of time, you can obtain a settlement permit that is not limited in time or space.

With the settlement permit, you may engage in gainful employment. It may only contain ancillary provisions (e.g. prohibition of political activity) in exceptional cases and provides special protection against expulsion.

Note: Holders of a (temporary) residence permit for the purpose of studying or (vocational) training cannot obtain a settlement permit.

• Proof of compliance with passport and visa requirements
• Proof of secure livelihood
• Proof that there are no grounds for expulsion against you
• Proof that you do not endanger 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 pension contributions paid or payments to a comparable pension institution
• Proof that you are allowed to work and have the necessary permits
• Proof of sufficient knowledge of German as well as basic knowledge of the German legal and social system
• Proof of sufficient living space for you and your family

The prerequisites for the settlement permit are:

• Your identity has been clarified and you comply with the passport requirement.
  For the passport requirement, it is sufficient if you have a replacement ID card.
• Your livelihood is secured without using public funds.
  Your livelihood is considered secure if you:
  • Income in the amount of the simple standard rate of social assistance plus
  • costs for accommodation and heating as well as
  • of any health insurance contributions.
• There is no ground for expulsion against you.
• You have no criminal record.
• Your stay does not endanger or impair the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You have had a residence permit for 5 years.
  Depending on the purpose of the stay for which you have received the residence permit, other deadlines may apply.
• You have paid contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme or to another pension institution with comparable benefits for 5 years.
• They are allowed to engage in gainful employment and have all the necessary permits to do so.
• You have sufficient knowledge of German as well as basic knowledge of the German legal and social system.
• You have enough living space for yourself and your family.

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

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

Grant: 113€

Settlement permit for self-employed persons: 124 €

Settlement permit for young people from the age of 16

Minors: 55 €

Adults: 113 €

You must apply for the settlement permit in writing at the immigration authority of your main residence. Depending on the place of residence, the Foreigners' Registration Office is the city administration or the district office.

Since 01.09.2011 you will receive the settlement permit in the form of a credit card with additional electronic functions. Further information can be found under "Applying for an electronic residence permit (eAT)".

Do you have a temporary residence permit? After a certain period of time, you can obtain a settlement permit that is not limited in time or space.

To the Foreigners' Registration Office (district administrators and mayors of the independent cities and the cities belonging to the district with more than 50,000 inhabitants) in whose district your main residence is located