HERE YOU LEARN ...
... where you can download the application form for a permanent residence permit
... where you need to send the application form and your documents to apply for the settlement permit (especially if you are applying in Berlin)
... which documents are necessary for the application for a permanent residence permit (including in Berlin)
... whether you need an appointment to apply for a settlement permit
Written by:
Attorney
Publication date:
17.05.2024
Reading time
9 mins
Table of Content
1. Residence permit in Germany
2. Application form for permanent residence permit (especially Berlin)
3. Necessary documents permanent residence permit (especially Berlin)
4. Application process, deadline and processing time for permanent residence permit
5. Tips for applying for a settlement permit
1. Apply for a settlement permit in Germany online
There are around 90,000 foreigners living in Germany who have a permanent residence permit (settlement permit). Of these 90,000 holders of a settlement permit, around 60,000 were previously holders of a Blue Card (around 2/3). The largest proportion of skilled workers with a settlement permit live in large cities, and in particular in Berlin (around 1/5). In order to meet this immense demand (particularly in the major cities of Berlin, Munich, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main and Hamburg), the immigration authorities in these major cities have developed their own online systems with which permanent residence permits can be applied for . All forms can be filled out online and the necessary documents can be uploaded as PDF files to the servers or to the electronic file of the immigration authorities if the necessary requirements for applying for a settlement permit are met .
The following explains how the application process for a permanent residence permit works and what you need to take into account (including application form, appointment, processing time).
2. Residence permit application (incl. PDF)
To apply for a settlement permit, you must first fill out the application form. The application for a settlement permit for skilled workers is usually uploaded to the immigration authorities as a PDF (see e.g. Application for a settlement permit (PDF) at the Munich immigration authorities ). However, at most large immigration authorities, the application in PDF format has now been replaced by an application in the online portal.
For the larger immigration authorities, you can find the online portals for applying for a settlement permit for skilled workers here:
Apply for a settlement permit for skilled workers and holders of an EU Blue Card in Berlin (including checklist),
Residence permit for skilled workers and holders of an EU Blue Card in Frankfurt am Main (including checklist),
Apply for a settlement permit for skilled workers and holders of an EU Blue Card in Hamburg (including checklist).
There is no actual PDF application in Berlin. The State Office for Immigration (LEA) simply states on its website that the application for a settlement permit should be submitted "informally". This means that no specific form is required, but that the application can simply be submitted by letter or email (if necessary via the LEA contact form). The letter or email must then contain the words "I hereby apply for a settlement permit". Another option is to use the official application form for all other LEA residence permits . The settlement permit can then be entered under "Purpose of stay". The application email (or form) can then simply be submitted via the LEA contact form (e.g. to Department B1, B2, B3 for skilled workers).
When using the LEA website in Berlin, please note that the Berlin immigration office has different websites for different settlement permits. The LEA distinguishes between the following categories of permanent residence permits:
Residence permit (general)
Residence permit for EU Blue Card holders
Residence permit for skilled workers
Residence permit for self-employed persons
Settlement permit for family members of Germans
Settlement permit for children (from 16 years)
Settlement permit for recognised asylum seekers and refugees
When using the LEA's online form, you should therefore make sure that you are applying for the correct type of permanent residence permit. The following applies: from specific to general. So if you are a Blue Card holder, you must select the appropriate category (although the "skilled worker" category would also apply to you).
The above statements only apply if you live in one of the cities mentioned and your immigration office actually provides an online form. If the application form is not available via the online portal of your immigration office (often the case with smaller immigration offices in rural areas, for example), you must contact your responsible clerk (e.g. by phone or email). If in doubt, you must book an appointment to receive the necessary application form.
3. Documents required for the settlement permit
The documents required for the application for permanent residence can usually be found on the website of the relevant immigration authority. The documents sometimes differ considerably depending on the immigration authority. For example, the immigration authority in Munich (District Administration Department (KVR)) requires numerous additional documents that must be submitted when applying for a settlement permit for skilled workers and holders of an EU Blue Card (e.g. confirmation of employment (PDF) , declaration of livelihood (PDF) , declaration of domestic partnership (PDF) and housing certificate (PDF) ).
If you are unsure about which documents are required to apply for a settlement permit for skilled workers (if, for example, the required documents are not listed on the homepage of your immigration authority), it is advisable to refer to the standards of the Berlin immigration authority (State Office for Immigration (LEA)). The Berlin immigration authority is by far the largest immigration authority in Germany (around 800,000 foreigners live in Berlin), which is why the requirements of the State Office for Immigration can have a certain general validity.
The documents required to apply for a settlement permit for skilled workers and holders of an EU Blue Card in Berlin can be found here:
Accordingly, at least the following documents are required to apply for a settlement permit at the State Office for Immigration in Berlin:
Application form
Registration certificate (or rental agreement) residence in Berlin
valid passport
Blue Card (plastic card)
biometric photo
Proof of income (employment contract, salary certificates for the last 6 months, employer certificate)
Rental agreement (or property purchase agreement)
Pension insurance history of the pension insurance in Germany
Health insurance certificate
Please note, however, that the checklists for a settlement permit for skilled workers in Berlin are intended to provide only a rough guide. If in doubt, you must ask your responsible clerk or consult a lawyer specializing in migration law.
The vast majority of documents for applying for a permanent residence permit are relatively easy to obtain. However, many foreigners usually do not know (understandably) where to get the so-called "pension insurance history" and the most recent wage certificates. Both are regularly required for applying for a permanent residence permit. However, you can apply for both easily online. You can find the pension insurance history in the e-services of the German Pension Insurance (no registration necessary). The salary certificates, which are also necessary, can (usually) be downloaded from Employee Online (DATEV) (registration required).
4. How can I apply for a settlement permit?
After you have collected all the documents and signed the application, you must submit the complete application documents to your immigration office. You can do this using the relevant online portals or send the documents by post or email (see also above).
In Berlin, you could still send your application documents by email to b1b2b3@lea.berlin until 2023. However, this email address has been deactivated . From 2024 onwards, you can therefore only submit the application via the contact form to departments B1, B2, B3 in the LEA or by post to the LEA.
If you would like to submit the application by post, the LEA's Friedrich-Krause-Ufer (FKU) location is responsible. You can reach the FKU location by post as follows:
State Office for Immigration (LEA)
Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24
13353 Berlin
Phone: (030) 90269-4000
If in doubt, you can also hire an immigration lawyer to apply for a permanent residence permit. Lawyers in Germany have the option of contacting the immigration authorities (including the State Office for Immigration (LEA)) via the electronic justice system (special electronic lawyer mailbox (beA)). This usually leads to faster and more straightforward application processing .
After you have applied for a settlement permit, the immigration authorities will process your application. If the application is complete, the immigration authorities will give you an appointment to issue a settlement permit for holders of an EU Blue Card and skilled workers. You therefore do not need to make a separate application for an appointment at the immigration authorities to issue a settlement permit! At the appointment, the immigration authorities will check the documents that you previously submitted using the online form. After you have paid the fee, you will then be issued a settlement permit for skilled workers. As with other electronic residence permits (eAT), you will initially only receive the letter of approval at the appointment and can then collect the plastic card from the premises of the State Office for Immigration after it has been printed by the Federal Printing Office after 3 - 6 weeks. If the authority has still not issued a settlement permit even after a very long processing time, you can speed up the application process by taking various measures .
5. Tips for applying for a settlement permit
Applying for a settlement permit is an important step for anyone who wants to stay in Germany permanently. To go through the process successfully, there are a few specific tips you should follow. First of all, thorough preparation is crucial. Collect all the necessary documents early on. Another tip is to find out exactly what requirements apply to your individual situation. Clarify in advance what specific evidence is required in your case.
A common problem when submitting an application is the completeness of the documents. Make sure that all documents are up to date and complete. Incomplete applications often lead to delays or even rejections.
Communication with the immigration authorities should also be well prepared. If you are unsure, it may be a good idea to make an appointment with a lawyer or migration law consultant to ensure that your application is legally secure.
6. FAQ (application for settlement permit)
Where can I apply for a settlement permit?
You must apply for a settlement permit at your responsible immigration authority. You can find your responsible immigration authority using the BAMF authority finder .
How do I get an appointment to apply for a settlement permit?
The appointment for applying for a settlement permit will be given to you by your immigration authority. However, you do not have to wait for the appointment. You can apply for a settlement permit at your immigration authority. After submitting the application (also online or by email), the immigration authority has three months to give you an appointment. After three months, you can file a lawsuit for failure to act with the help of a lawyer.
What is a pension insurance history and where can I get it?
In order to apply for a settlement permit, you must have paid into the pension insurance scheme for a certain number of months. You must provide proof of this to the immigration authorities when you apply. You can provide proof of this with the so-called pension insurance history, which contains information about how many contributions you have paid into the pension insurance scheme so far. The pension insurance history can be requested on the pension insurance scheme website .
I lost my language certificate. What can I do?
It sometimes happens that foreigners lose their language certificates. This can happen especially when applying for a permanent residence permit, as several years can pass between the language course and the application. There are several ways to solve this problem. In the best case scenario, you have already submitted the certificate somewhere, so that a lawyer can then simply request access to the files and give you the certificate (as a copy). If this is not the case, you can request the language certificate again from the course organizers. If this is not possible either, under certain circumstances you can also prove your language skills verbally to the immigration authorities at an appointment (particularly recommended if the foreigner speaks very good German).
Can my language certificate expire?
No. Although this is often claimed by immigration authorities, there is no legal basis for this.
THIS MAY ALSO INTEREST YOU
THIS MAY ALSO INTEREST YOU
Apply for pension insurance history online at the German pension insurance
Registration for the B1 language course at the Goethe Institute
Literature: Oberhäuser, Migration law in advisory practice
1st edition 2019Literature: Hofmann, Aliens Law, 3rd edition 2023, § 9
