Residence Permit Germany
There are scores of visa types in Germany, but most of them only give you the right to remain in the country for short-term periods of less than 90 days, so you need a residence permit to remain in the country long-term. Due to the complex rules behind a residence permit, many applicants get help from an immigration lawyer or advisor.
If you decide you want assistance from an expert immigration lawyer, please contact Total Law at +1 844 290 6312 or by requesting a callback online.
What is a German Residence Permit?
The residence permit is the essential piece of documentation for non-EU citizens who would like to remain in Germany for longer than three months. It is a credit-card-style document that has electronically stored your information, and you should try to keep it on your person at all times.
However, a residence permit does not give you the right to enter Germany, and you can normally only apply for it at a local immigration office where you are living in the country. You must have an appropriate National “D” visa or be from a country that allows you to enter Germany without a visa.
Required Documents
To show that you fit with the eligibility requirements for a residence permit, you will need to provide the following required documents:
- A valid passport
- A completed application form
- A biometric passport-style photo that fits with German passport photo requirements
- Proof of income or financial stability with bank statements or your employment contract
- Proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage
- Proof of address via a property contract or a rental agreement
- Proof of marital or family status, if required, such as a marriage certificate or a birth certificate
- A letter of admission from a German university if you are studying
- A job offer or contract if you will be working in the country
Please note that there may be additional pieces of required documentation. This will depend on the reason that you are applying and the region of Germany that you are applying to.
Types of Residence Permit
Overview
Residence permits in Germany fit into two categories. The first is the limited residence permit, and the second is the unlimited residence permit. These are sometimes referred to as temporary residence permits and permanent residence permits. The characteristics of each type of permit are detailed below.
Limited Residence Permit
The limited residence permit is called Aufenthaltserlaubnis in Germany. It allows you to stay in Germany for the specific purpose associated with your visa, such as family reunification, studying, and working. It is also tied to a time limit, and you will usually be able to renew the residence permit once the validity period ends.
Some limited residence permits are attached to a specific length of reason to be in Germany. For example, a study residence permit will be valid for the duration of your course. If you want to remain in Germany for longer, you won’t be able to renew and you will need to get a different residence permit that allows you to extend your stay.
Unlimited Residence Permit
Meanwhile, the unlimited residence permit is referred to as a Niederlassungserlaubnis in Germany. This allows you to stay in Germany indefinitely, and it is not restricted to a specific purpose for being in the country. You can, therefore, take up any kind of employment and have far more rights.
The rights are almost on a par with German citizenship. The only further rights you can get with German citizenship are the ability to vote and hold a German passport.
However, being eligible for an unlimited residence permit is more complex. The main additional eligibility criteria for the permanent residence permit are listed below:
- You have been legally resident in Germany for the past five years
- You have paid contributions to German social security and the proper taxes
- You can support yourself
- You have a strong command of the German language
These eligibility requirements sit on top of the standard eligibility requirements, which are listed in the section below.
Types of Limited Residence Permit
German temporary residence permits are not monolithic, so you will need to understand the different types of temporary residence permits so you can apply for the right one for your circumstances.
You should be aware of the following, which are covered in the sections below:
- Student residence permits
- Residence permits for temporary employment
- Residence permits for humanitarian or political reasons
- German family residence permits
Student Residence Permit
Getting a student residence permit will allow you to come to Germany to study. It allows travel for one of the following purposes:
- Enrolling in a university or college course
- Taking part in an exchange program
- Enrolling in study preparation or foundation courses
- Taking part in a preparatory language course
- Enrolling in vocational training and internships
To prove that you will become a student in Germany, you must provide the following additional documents:
- Proof of admission or enrolment, such as a letter from the institution.
- Certificates of previous education showing you are sufficiently qualified for the course.
- Proof of means to pay for the course and support yourself. This can include a scholarship, student loans, or a letter of commitment from someone in Germany showing that they can support you while in the country.
- Proof that you speak enough German to take part in the course.
The student temporary residence permit will be valid for the length of your course. If your studies take longer than planned, you will need to extend it.
Residence Permit for Temporary Employment
This type of permit is for people with a job offer or contract inside Germany. Only those with citizenship in the European Union or the European Economic Area are exempt.
To be awarded a temporary residence permit for employment, you will need to provide the following additional pieces of documentation:
- A contract or job offer
- Certificates of education showing you are qualified for the work
- Licenses or permits if any are required for your role
Like with a student permit, it will be valid for the length of your contract. If your contract gets extended, you need to apply for a permit extension.
Residence Permit for Humanitarian/Political Reasons
People who are escaping a dangerous situation in their home country should apply for these German residence permits. To qualify, one of the following must apply:
- You are entitled to asylum
- You are eligible for refugee or subsidiary protection status
- There is a substantial public interest in you remaining in Germany
- Remaining in Germany is necessary on urgent humanitarian or personal grounds
- You have been the victim of a serious criminal offense
- It is impossible for you to return to your home country, so any deportation attempts will be delayed for the foreseeable future
Please note that the US is considered a highly safe country in Germany. You are unlikely to obtain this type of permit as a US citizen.
Family Residence Permits
Family residence permits allow you to stay in Germany with family members who are either citizens or legal residents. The following types of familial connection to Germany apply:
- Spouses and registered partners
- Unmarried and minor children
- Parents and legal guardians
Please note that Germany recognizes same-sex marriages. Therefore, you can get this type of permit if you are married or in a civil partnership with a same-sex spouse.
You will need to prove the relationship that you have with the German citizen or legal resident to be eligible. You will need to show birth and marriage certificates and proof that you have custody over your children in Germany. These documents must be translated into German to be eligible.
Furthermore, you will also need to prove that your family member is in Germany legally. You will need to show their German passport or identity card if they are a citizen, or their residence card if they are a legally resident foreign national.
Applying for a Residence Permit
Now that you understand the eligibility and documentation requirements to get a residence permit, you can begin the application process. There are multiple stages to this, all of which will be carried out in your local area in Germany. The sections below detail the following stages:
- Register your address.
- Open a German bank account.
- Apply at your local immigration office.
Register Your Address
Before you begin your application process for a German residence permit, you will need to formally register your address at your local registry office, known as a “Einwohnermeldeamt”. Here, you will get a registration certificate known as a “Meldeschein” which you will need when you apply for a residence permit.
Furthermore, you will also need to complete a Wohnungsgeberbestätigung, which is a mandatory requirement for both German citizens and foreign residents.
Open a German Bank Account
As a new resident in Germany, you will need a German bank account. This will allow you to send and receive payments, including your salary, insurance, utility bills, and rent, without having to deal with fees for international transfers.
Moreover, bank statements from a German bank account will help you to show that you are financially able to support yourself while in Germany.
Starting a German bank account is easy. Either make an appointment at a local bank branch or simply walk in. Then, you will be asked to open a “girokonto” and will be given an application form. Having verified your ID by showing your passport and a copy of your German address registration, your application will be ready to be processed. You will get confirmation in the mail that your account has been opened.
Apply at your Local Immigration Office
Now, you will be ready to apply for your residence permit at your nearest local immigration office. You will need to pick up an application form from the office and fill it out.
Then, you must book an appointment. In this appointment, you will submit your application form and the supporting documents. You may also be required to attend an interview. This will typically only take 10 minutes, and you will be asked questions about your applications and the reasons you are living in Germany.
Processing Time and Application Fee
Once your application has been completed, it will be forwarded to the Aliens’ Authority for your local area. They will decide if you can be awarded a residence permit. This will typically take 1-3 months. Because of the long processing time, it is advisable that you submit your application as soon as possible so that the eligibility period of your initial visa does not run out.
You will also need to pay an application fee. This will vary slightly depending on your location and other factors in your case. However, the standard application fee in Berlin is 100 euros for adults and 50 euros for minors. Meanwhile, an extension of your residence permit is slightly cheaper at 100 euros for adults and 50 euros for minors.
People with Turkish citizenship will usually have access to a lower application fee. In Berlin, the fee is 22.80 euros for those under 24 years old and 37 euros for those over 24 years old.
How Can Total Law Help?
A resident permit is a crucial piece of documentation because you will not be able to legally remain in Germany for the past 90 days without it. This even applies if you successfully applied for a visa before coming. Therefore, an unsuccessful application can be incredibly stressful because you will have to leave Germany if you cannot rectify the errors and re-apply.
To avoid this difficult situation, many applicants choose to make use of an immigration lawyer like Total Law. We are skilled at helping applicants to gather their documents and prepare for the interview. Once your application is submitted, we can liaise with the local immigration office to keep you updated on the progress. We can also give advice if your application is unsuccessful and provide legal representation should you choose to appeal.
To work on getting your residence permit in Germany with Total Law, please contact us at +1 844 290 6312. Alternatively, you can visit us online to learn more about the services we offer.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
EU citizens don’t need to apply for a residence permit if they want to stay in Germany. However, they still need to register with the Bürgeramt (local citizens’ registration office) if they are planning to remain in the country for more than three months. The requirements are substantially less stringent, but you will still need to show the following documents:
- A valid passport or ID document.
- Proof you have registered an address with the Bürgeramt’.
- Proof of income for you and any dependents living with you.
- Proof of health insurance. You can transfer health insurance at home to health insurance in Germany with an EHIC card.
Traveling to Germany with the hope of remaining there long-term and getting a residence permit will usually require you to get the relevant type of National (D) visa. However, there are certain nations that Germany has agreements with, meaning citizens can come to Germany without a visa and are free to apply for a residence permit that will allow them to remain long-term. This applies to the following nations listed below:
- Australia
- United Kingdom
- Brazil
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Israel
- Japan
- Canada
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- San Marino
- South Korea
- United States
Your residence permit is essential in your application for citizenship by naturalization because the residency requirement requires you to have been living in Germany legally.
Therefore, to qualify, you need to have been living in Germany on a valid residency permit for eight years. This reduces to seven years if you have undertaken a special integration course. Meanwhile, it will be three years if you are married to a German citizen.
