Niederlassungserlaubnis Erteilung für Inhaber einer Aufenthaltserlaubnis aus völkerrechtlichen, humanitären oder politischen Gründen

If you hold a residence permit for international, humanitarian or political reasons, you can, under certain conditions, receive a permanent settlement permit after five years.

As the holder of a residence permit for international, humanitarian or political reasons, you can, under certain conditions, receive a permanent residence permit (so-called settlement permit) after five years.

If you entered Germany before the age of 18, please also find out about the settlement permit for underage children and young adults, for which fewer requirements must be met (see service “Issuing a settlement permit for underage children”).

If you are in possession of a residence permit as an asylum seeker, a recognised refugee under the Geneva Refugee Convention or a resettlement refugee, you can obtain a settlement permit under simplified conditions (see benefits: “Settlement permit for holders of a residence permit as a recognised asylum seeker or refugee” and “Settlement permit for the resettlement of persons seeking protection (resettlement refugees)”).

• Application via the online service Residence Permit Hamburg
• Employment or extension contract
• current certificate from the employer
• Copy of the last 12 pay slips
• Certificate “Living in Germany”
• Language certificate
• current pension insurance history from the German Pension Insurance
• Rental agreement and current rent

• You are in possession of a valid residence permit for international, humanitarian or political reasons (see Section 5 of the Residence Act)
• You have held a residence permit for at least five years (periods of asylum proceedings are taken into account).
• You and your spouse or registered life partner can support yourself and your household family members (including health insurance) without having to rely on public benefits.
  Please note: The livelihood can also be secured by third parties (for example: spouses, registered life partners, parents).
  Independent subsistence security is not required if there is an illness or disability that prevents independent subsistence security.
• You have made at least 60 months of compulsory or voluntary contributions to statutory pension insurance or expenses for a claim to comparable benefits from an insurance company.
  Please note: In a marriage or registered civil partnership, it is sufficient if the partner fulfils this requirement.
  The requirement does not have to be met if an illness or disability exists and prevents this.
• You have a permanent work permit and, if you work in a regulated profession, the necessary professional authorisation (e.g. licence to practice medicine or professional permit).
  Please note: In a marriage or registered civil partnership, it is sufficient if the partner has the permits.
• You have sufficient knowledge of German (level B1). If you were not entitled to participate in an integration course or were not obliged to do so, basic knowledge of the German language at level A1 is sufficient.
  Please note: Language skills are not required if there is an illness, disability or other reasons that make learning the language impossible or unreasonable in the long term.
• You have basic knowledge of German law and society.
  Please note: The knowledge does not have to be proven if there is an illness, disability or other reasons that make the acquisition of the knowledge permanently impossible or unreasonable.
• You have sufficient living space (for you and your family).
• You do not hold a humanitarian residence permit under
  • § 24 (granting of residence for temporary protection),
  • Section 25 paragraph 4 sentence 1 (residence permit for urgent personal or humanitarian reasons),
  • Section 25 paragraph 4a sentence 1 or Section 25 paragraph 4b sentence 1 (residence permit for certain victims of crime) or
  • Section 104a paragraph 1 sentence 1 (probationary residence permit)
    of the Residence Act (for these no settlement permit can be issued).
• You have no previous convictions.
• There is no interest in deporting you

• The settlement permit must be applied for before your current residence permit expires.
• Find out whether your immigration authority allows you to submit your application online or whether it has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to make an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, preferably in the original, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to produce a settlement permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The immigration authorities commission the Federal Printing Office to produce the eAT card. Once the card is ready, you will receive information and can collect the eAT card from the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

• The processing time usually takes 6 to 8 weeks and also depends on the completeness of the customer's documents.
• If documents are missing, the processing time will be extended.
• It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit.

• The application should be received by the immigration authorities at least six to eight weeks before the current residence permit expires.
• 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 after the expiry of its validity.

• Settlement permit issued to holders of a residence permit for international legal, humanitarian or political reasons.
• The permanent settlement permit is issued after five years of holding a residence permit for international, humanitarian or political reasons.
• The residence permit must still be valid.
• Livelihood (including health insurance) must be secured, i.e. covered from one's own resources.
• 60 months of compulsory contributions or voluntary contributions to the statutory pension insurance must have been made (can also be made by the spouse or life partner)
• There must be no previous convictions.
• Permits for permanent professional practice are required (can also be presented by the spouse or life partner).
• Knowledge of German at least at level B1 required.
• Basic knowledge of the legal and social system and living conditions in Germany is required.
• Adequate living space is required for family members living in the household.
• There is no interest in deporting the applicant.