Niederlassungserlaubnis für Familienangehörige von Deutschen beantragen

As a family member of a German citizen, you can under certain conditions after a three-year stay in the federal territory a permanent right of residence (settlement permit).

If you are a foreign family member of a German citizen and have held a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification in Germany for three years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit (the so-called settlement permit) under certain conditions.

Beneficiary family members include spouses, registered partners, children and parents of Germans.

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of means of subsistence (e.g. proof of income, pension statement, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child benefit, maintenance payments).
  Please note: Proof of livelihood can also be provided by third parties (e.g. spouses, registered partners, parents).
• Proof of health insurance cover (e.g. confirmation of health insurance cover or insurance policy)
• Proof of German language skills at least at level B1 (e.g. language certificate, German school, training or university certificates, certificate of successful participation in an integration course)
  Please note: If there is an illness or disability that prevents the acquisition of language skills, this must be proven in a suitable form (e.g. specialist medical statement, proof of residential care)
• In the case of a third-country national parent of a German child: Birth certificate of the child, proof of personal custody
• For spouses or registered civil partners: marriage certificate/civil partnership certificate

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Immigration Office may require fewer or additional documents.

• You are a foreign family member of a German national (spouse or partner, child or parent).

• You have been in possession of a residence permit for three years to live with your family in Germany.
• The family partnership with the German national continues to exist.
• You are able to support yourself without claiming public benefits.
• You have adequate health insurance.
• You have sufficient knowledge of German (level B 1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
  Please note: If you suffer from an illness or disability that prevents you from acquiring language skills, you do not have to fulfill this requirement.
• You have no criminal record.
• There are no grounds for deportation against you.

Cost amount (fixed):

• 56.50 euros for underage applicants
• 113.00 for adult applicants

Remark:

Additional fees may apply for the issuing of a settlement permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card), which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

• The settlement permit must be applied for before the validity of your current residence permit expires.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you may not submit the application yourself, but require a representative (as a rule, the application is submitted by the custodial parent).
• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be made in person, make an appointment at the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you must be accompanied by at least one legal representative (usually a parent) at the personal appointment. In the case of joint custody, the parents must appear together at the authority and submit the application on your behalf.
  If one parent cannot appear in person, the other parent with custody rights must be issued with a written authorization to submit the application.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents to the appointment, in the original if possible).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to produce a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will commission the Bundesdruckerei to produce the eAT card. After completion, you will receive information and can collect the settlement permit from the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a notice of rejection.

Duration: approx. 6 to 8 weeks

Note for further information on the processing time:

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

The production of the electronic residence permit by the Bundesdruckerei takes about 4 to 6 weeks.

Application deadline:

6 to 8 weeks

Note (for further information on the deadline):

At the latest 6 to 8 weeks before the current residence permit expires, the application should be received by the Aliens' Registration Office.

Period of validity:

The settlement permit is issued for an unlimited period. Only the electronic residence permit (eAT card) is issued for a limited period and must be renewed at the end of its validity.

• Children who have not yet reached the age of 18 may not submit the application themselves, but must be represented by a legally competent person (e.g. a parent with custody rights).
• The procedure is carried out in German.
• Make sure that the information you provide is correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief. This is the only way the Immigration Office can process your application without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be disadvantageous for you. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time vis-à-vis the Foreigners' Registration Office may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from the federal territory.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority
• Legal action before the court named in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

• Issuing a settlement permit for family members of Germans who have joined them
• Foreign family members of Germans who have been in possession of a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification for at least three years can be granted a permanent right of residence (settlement permit).
• Beneficiaries are spouses, same-sex partners, children or parents of German nationals.
• The continuation of the family partnership in Germany must be intended.
• In addition, the foreign family member must
  • have sufficient knowledge of German and
  • be able to prove that they can earn a living
    be able to prove their livelihood,
• In the case of physical, mental or psychological illness or disability, no knowledge of German needs to be proven.
• The settlement permit will not be issued if there is an interest in deporting the foreign family member from the federal territory.
• Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance necessary: Yes