A settlement permit opens many doors. You can live with your family members in Germany without any restrictions. Moreover, you can obtain employment or become self-employed.

Are you already working and living in Germany with a temporary residence permit and wish to stay permanently? Under certain conditions, you as a skilled professional can apply for a permanent residence title, otherwise referred to as a settlement permit in accordance with Section 18c on the Residence Act - AufenthG.

Settlement permit for skilled professionals

According to the German Residence Act, you are considered a “skilled professional” if you belong to one of the following categories of people:

• People who have completed vocational training (Sect. 18 on the Residence Act - AufenthG)
• People who have completed academic training (Sect. 18 (1) on the Residence Act - AufenthG), or EU Blue Card holders)
• International researchers in accordance with the Directive (EU) 2016/801 (Sect. 18d on the Residence Act - AufenthG)

What requirements do qualified professionals have to fulfil in order to receive a settlement permit?

• You have been holder of a residence permit in accordance with Sections 18a, 18b or 18d on the Residence Act - AufenthG) for at least four years.
• You are able to cover your costs of living without using public funds.
• You have paid at least 48 months of mandatory or voluntary contributions to the statutory pension insurance fund.
• You are employed at a job for which you are qualified or that adequately suits your qualifications.
• You possess sufficient knowledge of the German language (B1 level according to the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR)) as well as knowledge of the legal and social order and of the German way of life. This can be proved by way of passing the “Life in Germany” test.
• You have enough living space for yourself and your family members.

If you fulfil these requirements, make an appointment at your nearest Foreigners' Authority to apply for a settlement permit. At the Foreigners' Authority, you will find out which individual documents need to be submitted.

Please note: In some cases, a settlement permit can be issued under facilitated conditions. This is applicable to the following categories of people:

• EU Blue Card holders
• People who have completed academic education or vocational training in Germany
• Highly qualified professionals
• Self-employed persons

Settlement permit for EU Blue Card holders

If you are an EU Blue Card holder, you can request to obtain a settlement permit in accordance with Sect. 18c (2) on the Residence Act - AufenthG). The following requirements apply:  

• You have been employed in a qualified job for at least 33 months during which you made monthly contributions to the statutory pension insurance fund.
• You possess a basic command of the German language (A1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)). For persons who can provide proof of German language skills at B1 level, the required time of 33 months can be reduced to 21 months.
• You have basic knowledge of the legal and social order in Germany. This can be proved by way of passing the “Life in Germany” test.
• You can provide proof of adequate living space.
• ou can prove that your livelihood is secure.

Settlement permit for those who have completed university or vocational training in Germany

Have you successfully completed academic education or vocational training in Germany? Special conditions also apply to you when it comes to applying for a settlement permit.

• You have held a residence permit for the purpose of employment as a “qualified professional” for at least 2 years (residence title in accordance with Sections 18a, 18b or 18d AufenthG (German Residence Act)).
• You are employed at a job for which you are qualified or that adequately suit your qualifications.
• You have paid into the statutory pension insurance fund for 24 months.
• You possess sufficient knowledge of the German language (B1 level according to the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR)) as well as knowledge of the legal and social order and of the German way of life. This can be proved by way of passing the “Life in German” test.
• You can provide proof of an adequate living space.

Settlement permit for highly qualified professionals

In individual cases, highly qualified professionals can receive a settlement permit in accordance with Section 18c (3) on the Residence Act - AufenthG) straight away, without having to spend a set amount of time in Germany first.  

For example, if you are a scientist with special technical knowledge or a teacher in a high-level position with several years of professional experience, you can obtain a settlement permit immediately upon entering Germany. 

Important:

• You must be able to provide proof of academic training

and

• It must be correct to assume that you can integrate into the German way of life and that your living costs will be covered without having to use public funds.

It is a good idea to gather the required documents prior to entering Germany to be able to obtain your settlement permit immediately.

Settlement permit for self-employed people

If you have held a residence permit for self-employed work in accordance with Sect. 21 AufenthG (German Residence Act) for three years, you may request to obtain a settlement permit (Sect. 21 (4) AufenthG (German Residence Act)). To obtain the settlement permit, you must fulfil the following requirements:

• At the time of the application, you are the holder of a valid residence title enabling you to be self-employed.
• You are successfully self-employed.
• You can provide proof that you and your family members are able to permanently cover your costs of living.

Do you not belong to any of the listed immigrant groups? Learn about what you can do to obtain a settlement permit in Germany by consulting the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

Costs

Applying for a settlement permit is associated with fees that vary according to the job category in question. In general, applying for a settlement permit costs €113.00. If you are self-employed, the application costs €124.00. Highly qualified professionals are required to pay €147.00 to apply for a settlement permit.