Niederlassungserlaubnis für anerkannte Asylberechtigte und Flüchtlinge beantragen

If you are a recognized person entitled to asylum, a refugee according to the Geneva Refugee Convention or a resettlement refugee, you can receive an unlimited settlement permit after three or five years under certain conditions.

As a recognized person entitled to asylum, a refugee according to the Geneva Refugee Convention or a resettlement refugee, you can obtain a permanent residence title (so-called settlement permit) under facilitated conditions after three or five years.

If you have not yet reached the age of 18, please first find out about the benefit "Settlement Permit Issuance for Minor Children", which is issued on the basis of Section 35 of the Residence Act.

• recognized and valid identity document (for example passport or passport substitute)
• current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of livelihood (for example, proof of income, employment contract, pension notice, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child support, alimony payments).
  Please note: Proof of livelihood can also be provided by third parties (for example spouse, registered partner, parents).
  After a period of residence of five years, proof of livelihood may be waived if retirement age has been reached or if there is an illness or disability that prevents independent livelihood. This must be proven in a suitable form (for example, by a pension certificate, a specialist medical opinion, proof of institutionalization).
• Proof of health insurance coverage (for example, confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy).
• Proof of knowledge of the German language at level A2 (for a five-year stay) or C1 (for a three-year stay) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (for example, language certificate, German school, training or university certificates).
  Please note: After a residence period of five years, proof of successful participation in an integration course can be submitted as evidence.
  Proof of language skills can be waived if there is an illness or disability that prevents learning the language. This must be proven in a suitable form (for example, by a specialist medical opinion, proof of accommodation in a home or other reasons that make learning the language impossible or unreasonable in the long term).
• Proof of basic knowledge of the legal and social order in Germany (for example, certificate or attestation of successful participation in an integration course).
  Please note: After a residence period of five years, this proof can be waived if there is an illness or disability that prevents the acquisition of the knowledge. This must be proven in an appropriate form (for example, by a specialist medical opinion, proof of institutionalization or other reasons that make the acquisition of knowledge impossible or unreasonable in the long term).
• Proof of sufficient living space (rental or purchase contract providing information on living space).
• Professional license (e.g. license to practice medicine, professional license) if practicing a regulated profession (in a marriage or registered civil partnership, the proof can also be provided by the partner)
• If there is an obligation to participate in the integration course Certificate of successful participation in the integration course

The documents and information must always be presented in German. In individual cases, the Aliens' Registration Office may require less or further proof.

• You are in possession of a valid residence permit as:
  • recognized person entitled to asylum (§ 25 paragraph 1 of the Residence Act),
  • recognized refugee according to the Geneva Refugee Convention (§ 25 paragraph 2 sentence 1, 1st alternative of the Residence Act) or
  • resettlement refugee (Section 23 (4) of the Residence Act).
• You have been in possession of the residence permit for at least five years (periods of asylum proceedings are counted).
• The reasons for your recognition as a person entitled to asylum or as a refugee still exist.
  Please note: The BAMF examines three years after recognition whether the reasons for recognition may no longer apply. In the case of asylum decisions from 2015, 2016 or 2017, the BAMF must have explicitly informed you that the conditions for revocation or withdrawal do not exist in order for you to assume that your status under residence law will continue.
• 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 can generally support more than 75 percent of the cost of living for yourself and your family members without claiming 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 partner are generally able to provide more than 50 percent of the living expenses for yourself and your family members without claiming public benefits.
    Please note: This requirement is waived if you have reached retirement age.
• You have a permanent employment permit.
  Please note: In a marriage or registered partnership, it is sufficient if the partner holds the employment permit.
• If you are working in a regulated profession, you must be in possession of the required professional license (for example, approbation or professional permit).
  Please note: In a marriage or registered civil partnership, it is sufficient if the partner holds the permit.
• You have a basic knowledge 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 your household members.
• You have sufficient health insurance.
• You have no criminal record.
• There is no interest in deportation against you.

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• The settlement permit must be applied for before the validity of your current residence permit expires.
• Find out whether your Aliens' Registration Office allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Aliens' Registration Office. In the case of online application, the Aliens' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents to the appointment, if possible in original).
• If your application is granted, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the settlement permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will order the production of the eAT card from the Bundesdruckerei. After completion, you will receive information and can pick up the eAT card at the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

Duration: approx. 6 to 8 weeks

Note for further information on processing time:
The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the Foreigners' Registration Office. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the Bundesdruckerei to produce the electronic residence permit.

6 to 8 weeks

Note (for more information on the deadline):
At the latest 6 to 8 weeks before the current residence permit expires, the application should be received by the Foreigners' Registration Office.

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

• Minors and young adults who have received a residence permit as a person entitled to asylum or as a recognized refugee before reaching the age of 18, please inform yourself about the benefit "Settlement Permit Issuance for Minor Children". This settlement permit is issued on a different legal basis under facilitated conditions from the age of 16 (Section 35 of the Residence Act).
• The procedure is usually carried out in German.
• A settlement permit may expire in the event of a stay outside Germany of more than six months if this stay abroad was not previously agreed with the foreigners authority.
• Persons who have a residence permit for other humanitarian reasons can also obtain a settlement permit after five years. However, the requirements for this are different.
• Make sure that you provide correct and complete information to the best of your knowledge. This is the only way the Foreigners' Registration Office can process your request without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be disadvantageous for you. In a serious case, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time vis-à-vis the Aliens' 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 Foreigners' Registration Office
• Action before the court named in the notice of appeal if the appeal is not granted

• Issuance of a settlement permit for holders of a residence permit as recognized persons entitled to asylum and refugees.
• The unlimited settlement permit is granted after three or five years of holding a residence permit as a person entitled to asylum or as a recognized refugee (including resettlement refugees).
• Reasons for former entitlement to asylum or refugee status must continue to exist (the BAMF must not have notified that the residence status has been withdrawn or revoked).
• Basic knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany required.
• Sufficient living space for family members living in the household required.
• Permits for permanent occupation required (can also be presented by the spouse or life partner).
• There must be no previous criminal record.
• After three years of residence:
  • Living expenses (including health insurance) must be covered by more than 75 percent of own means.
  • German language skills of at least level C1 required.
• After five years of residence:
  • Living expenses (including health insurance) must be covered to more than 51 percent by own means.
  • German language skills of at least level A2 required.
• Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence.

Forms available: No
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance required: Yes