Indefinite Leave to Remain UK (ILR)
As a German citizen, if you obtain the UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) you will be allowed to stay in the United Kingdom for the foreseeable future without immigration restrictions. You must satisfy certain eligibility criteria before you are granted ILR in the UK.
If you need guidance on how to obtain ILR, the eligibility criteria, the documents you must provide or other services we offer, Total Law can help. Talk with one of our friendly immigration lawyers by calling us on 0333 305 9375 or messaging us online.
What Is ILR in the UK?
As a German citizen, if you want to stay in the United Kingdom for the foreseeable future, you can obtain ILR which is also known as a Settlement visa. The ILR will allow you to live, study, work, and access the National Healthcare Surcharge (NHS) for free among other incentives.
German citizens seeking ILR must qualify through an eligible immigration route, such as the Skilled Worker or Innovator Founder route, unless they qualify under a different settlement arrangement.
Under the current Immigration Rules, many eligible applicants can apply for ILR after five years of continuous residence, although some routes allow settlement after three years or require ten years.
The government’s Earned Settlement framework will change the qualifying periods for many applicants when the new rules take effect. German citizens with rights under the EU Settlement Scheme should check the separate requirements for obtaining settled status.
Page Contents
- What Is ILR in the UK?
- How Will the New Earned Settlement Rules Affect ILR for German Citizens?
- When You Can Apply for ILR in the UK?
- Eligibility Requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Documents Required for ILR Application
- How to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
- Fees and How Long It Takes to Get ILR?
- ILR for Dependents
- British Citizenship after Indefinite Leave to Remain
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
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How Will the New Earned Settlement Rules Affect ILR for German Citizens?
The UK government confirmed its Earned Settlement framework on 2 November 2026, introducing significant changes to how migrants will qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
Under the framework, the standard qualifying period will increase from five to ten years for most applicants. However, some individuals will qualify sooner based on their earnings, employment, immigration route or contribution to the UK.
The government plans to introduce the detailed Immigration Rules from December 2026, with implementation expected during 2027.
The new settlement framework is not yet legally in effect. German citizens applying for ILR must continue to meet the existing requirements until the relevant rules change.
If You Apply Before the New Rules Take Effect
Under the current Immigration Rules, German citizens on eligible routes, including the Skilled Worker visa, can qualify for ILR after five years of continuous residence in the UK.
Other immigration routes have different qualifying periods. For example, eligible Innovator Founder visa holders may qualify after three years, while the long residence route requires ten years.
Applicants must also meet the eligibility requirements for their specific immigration route, including applicable residence, English language, Life in the UK Test and financial requirements.
If You Apply After the New Rules Take Effect
Under the Earned Settlement framework, the qualifying period will depend on an applicant’s circumstances and contribution to the UK.
The framework includes:
- Standard settlement route: Ten years for most eligible applicants who meet the relevant requirements
- Five-year fast-track route: Eligible applicants earning at least £50,271 annually, alongside qualifying public service workers
- Three-year fast-track route: Eligible applicants earning at least £125,141 annually and certain individuals on qualifying talent routes
- Care workers: A five-year route for eligible workers meeting the relevant conditions, including earnings of at least £25,000
- Family members of British citizens: Existing settlement pathways will be preserved, subject to the applicable requirements
The framework also introduces stricter requirements concerning criminal records, English language proficiency, National Insurance contributions and outstanding government debts.
For the standard ten-year route, the framework includes a minimum annual earnings threshold of £12,571, with a combined income figure of £25,142 for couples where applicable.
The detailed Immigration Rules will clarify how these requirements operate, including any exemptions and transitional arrangements.
Will German Citizens Already Living in the UK Be Affected?
German citizens already living in the UK who have not obtained ILR may be affected when the new rules take effect.
The government has indicated that settlement requirements will be assessed under the rules in force when an application is decided, although certain groups will benefit from transitional protections.
German citizens with status under the EU Settlement Scheme should distinguish that status from ILR obtained through other immigration routes. The Earned Settlement reforms do not replace the existing EU Settlement Scheme.
Applicants approaching their settlement eligibility date should check the requirements applicable to their immigration route before submitting an application.
When You Can Apply for ILR in the UK?
Overview
German citizens must apply for ILR once they are eligible for it. The earliest you can be allowed to apply for ILR is 28 days before meeting the UK residency requirements. Your application may be denied if you apply earlier than that time.
You must not wait for the expiration of your current visa before you apply. Failure to apply for ILR before the expiration of your current visa will cause you to renew it before applying.
Five-year Route to ILR
Most applications for ILR are filed through routes that require German citizens to have stayed in the UK for 5 consecutive years. Some visas such as the Skilled Worker visa and Global Talent visa fall under the 5-year route.
Ten-year Route to ILR
German citizens can qualify for ILR via the 10-year (long-distance) route after living in the UK for 10 consecutive years regardless of the visa that granted them entry into the UK as long as they’re staying in the country lawfully.
Accelerated Route to ILR
German citizens who hold visas under some business routes can obtain ILR after living and doing business in the UK for up to 2 or 3 years (depending on the visa type). The Innovator Founder visa falls under the accelerated route.
Eligibility Requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain
Overview
German citizens seeking to obtain ILR must meet the following requirements. They must:
- Be of good character.
- Have stayed in the UK for the consecutive period needed.
- Not have lived outside of the UK for more than 180 days each year during the qualifying period.
- Have passed the Life in the UK test.
- Confirm their English proficiency.
Knowledge of the English Language and Life in the UK
As a German citizen, you are required to prove that you are proficient in the English language, that is the ability to read, write, speak and understand English. You must present your English-speaking and listening test results or your UK degree researched or taught in English. Alongside, you need to satisfy the knowledge of life in the UK requirement by taking and passing the life in the UK test at one of the UK test centres.
Accommodation & Financial Requirements
German nationals must provide their residence details and financial status in the UK. If you rented or own the house, you must provide the mortgage or lease agreement.
Salary Requirement for ILR
Before you apply for ILR, you must prove that you meet the minimum salary criteria for the UK visa type you hold.
Documents Required for ILR Application
German nationals applying for ILR UK must provide the following documents:
- German passport and travel document.
- Two passport-sized photographs.
- A signed declaration and application form.
- Your biometric residence permit (if required).
- Your dependents’ birth or adoption certificate.
- Police certificate of registration.
- Proof of sufficient funds.
- Your immigration history.
- Confirmation letter of appointment.
- Life in the UK certificate.
- Travel documentation.
- Proof of consecutive residence in the UK.
- Evidence of cohabitation (for Partner/Spouse visa holders).
- Certificate of English proficiency.
Note that the visa type you hold may require you to provide additional documents. Consult a licensed translator to translate any document in a foreign language into English. Also, ensure your documents are notarised.
How to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
German citizens can apply for the ILR by following the steps below:
Choose an Eligible Visa
As a German applicant, you must select the visa that offers a route to ILR in the UK. The reason is that not all UK visas offer routes to ILR, such as the Student visa. If you obtained the Student visa, you must switch to another visa such as the Skilled Worker visa to remain in the UK after fulfilling its requirements.
If you don’t know ILR-eligible visas with which to enter the UK, or you need guidance to choose the specific visa that best suits you, our immigration specialists at Total Law are always available to assist you. Call us today on 0333 305 9375 or message us online for a quick response.
Complete the ILR Application Form
Fill out the ILR form with the correct details. You must choose either Form Set M (for partner or parent of a UK resident) or Form Set O (for all other applications) depending on your situation. Pay all required fees after completing the application form.
Gather Your Documents
You must then bring all the required documents to support your application after completing the online form and making the necessary payments. Ensure your documents are complete, the omission of a crucial document may cause a delay or refusal of your application.
Fix an Appointment
At this stage, you must schedule an appointment with the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) to submit a digital scan of your fingerprints and photographs.
Go to the Appointment
You must attend the appointment with all your documents to back up your application. Also at the appointment the UK authorities will assess your situation to know if you qualify for ILR status. You’ll be notified when a decision is made on your case after your application has been processed.
Fees and How Long It Takes to Get ILR?
German nationals applying for ILR must make some financial commitments to obtain it. You must pay the ILR application fee worth £3,226 and this will be the same amount you’ll pay for any dependent joining you to the UK. You may also pay other fees such as consular fees, translation fees, legal fees and more.
It typically takes about 6 months for the Home Office to process your ILR via the standard service. However, if you want it to be processed faster, you can engage the super priority service and the priority service to obtain your visa in 1 working day (worth £1000) and 5 working days (worth £500) respectively.
ILR for Dependents
You can apply for ILR on behalf of your spouse/partner and dependent children under 18 years old and above 18 years old who rely on the financial help you offer them. You can file their application alongside yours if they entered the UK together with you, provided they meet the UK ILR requirements.
British Citizenship after Indefinite Leave to Remain
As a German citizen, after residing in the UK for 1 year on your ILR, you can qualify to apply for British citizenship. If your British citizenship application is granted, you’ll be qualified to hold a British passport which will allow you to visit more than 150 countries around the globe visa-free. Besides that, as a British citizen, you will have the full rights that indigenous UK residents enjoy such as the right to vote and be voted for, the right to free healthcare, and more.
How Can Total Law Help?
As a German citizen who wants to remain in the UK indefinitely, you must obtain a UK visa that offers a route to ILR in UK. When applying for ILR, you must choose the specific application form that suits your situation. To apply for ILR as a German applicant, it’s advised you seek professional guidance from one of our immigration lawyers at Total Law.
Our immigration lawyers will help you analyse your situation, choose the ILR-eligible visa that best suits your case, and assist you in completing your ILR application when you’ve completed your stay. Besides that, our immigration lawyers can help you streamline all the documents and requirements you must meet to obtain ILR in the UK.
We can also apply for ILR on your behalf, as we have done for several applicants in recent years with numerous favourable decisions. Allow us to replicate this feat for you. For more insights about indefinite leave to remain UK or other services we offer call us today at Total Law on 0333 305 9375 or complete our online enquiry form for immediate assistance.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
The UK government’s Earned Settlement framework, confirmed in November 2026, will introduce a standard ten-year qualifying period for most migrants, with shorter routes for certain eligible applicants.
The changes are expected to take effect during 2027, following the introduction of detailed Immigration Rules.
Until then, German citizens must meet the existing settlement requirements for their immigration route. Those with rights under the EU Settlement Scheme are subject to separate settlement arrangements.
Yes, you can stay in the UK while waiting for your ILR provided you applied for it before the expiration of your current visa.
Yes, you must pass the Life in the UK test as it’s one of the requirements to obtain ILR. This test is also known as the British citizenship examination, and it’s based on British, traditions, culture, and history. As a German citizen who wants permanent residence in the UK, the major purpose of this test is to prove that you have enough knowledge of British life.
