Germany EU long-term residence permit

Adults whose main residence is in Berlin and who already hold an eligible German residence title.

• Be at least 18

  You must have reached the age of 18.

  service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource

• Hold an eligible residence title

  You must currently hold a valid residence title. Titles issued for study, training or another temporary purpose are excluded. Titles issued for international law, humanitarian or political reasons are excluded except those under Section 23(2), 23(4), 25(1) or 25(2) of the Residence Act.

  service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource

• Meet the residence period

  You must have lived legally and continuously in Germany with a residence title for at least five years. Half of legal residence for study or vocational training counts; certain temporary-purpose residence and periods with or before a temporary suspension of deportation do not. The page also specifies when asylum-procedure time and previous residence in another EU member state can count.

  service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource

• Secure your livelihood

  Your livelihood and that of your spouse or life partner and children must be secured. You must not receive or be entitled to benefits from a job centre or social welfare office under Book II or XII of the German Social Code. A spouse's or civil partner's income can provide proof.

  service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have health and care insurance

  You and family members living with you must have statutory health and long-term care insurance or comparable private insurance. Foreign health insurance is insufficient.

  service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have adequate retirement provision

  The page says that from age 67 you must have a pension covering your maintenance needs. It describes pension entitlements from usually at least 60 contributions to statutory pension insurance or comparable private provision, other ways to demonstrate provision, and cases in which proof is not required.

  service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource

• Pose no public-safety threat

  There must be no indication that you threaten public safety or order, Germany's security or its free democratic basic order. The page says fines alone can prevent a permit and an application may not be processed while investigations are ongoing.

  service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource

• Know German at B1

  You need German corresponding to CEFR level B1. Proof is not required if a permanent physical, mental or psychological illness makes learning German unreasonable; a specialist medical certificate is required.

  service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource

• Know the legal and social order

  You need basic knowledge of the German legal and social order. The page lists ways to demonstrate it, including an integration or orientation course and certain education or training in Germany. It gives an illness-related exception requiring a specialist medical certificate.

  service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource

• Have sufficient living space

  You must have sufficient living space for yourself and family members living with you.

  service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource

• Live principally in Berlin

  Your main residence must be in Berlin; a second residence there is insufficient.

  service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource

• Be able to apply online

  You need a current email address and must consent to electronic payment for the online application. The listed payment methods are Visa, Mastercard and PayPal.

  service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource

• Online processing feeservice.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource€54.50 per person
• Issuing fee at the in-person appointmentservice.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource€54.50 per person
• Online processing fee for Turkish nationals up to the age of 24service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource€13.80 per person
• Issuing fee for Turkish nationals up to the age of 24service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource€13.80 per person
• Online processing fee for Turkish nationals as from the age of 24service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource€23 per person
• Issuing fee for Turkish nationals as from the age of 24service.berlin.de · checked 5 days agoSource€23 per person

1. Get ready

   • Use the Quick Check

     Use the online Quick Check and review the requirements before applying.

   • Gather your identity documents

     Prepare colour copies of your passport's data pages and a copy of your current residence title.

     You’ll need: Passport or passport replacement, Current residence title

   • Gather financial evidence

     Prepare the livelihood and retirement-provision evidence listed for your circumstances.

     You’ll need: Proof of livelihood appropriate to your circumstances, Proof of old-age provision

   • Gather insurance, housing and knowledge evidence

     Prepare proof of insurance, living-space size and costs, German skills and knowledge of the legal and social order.

     You’ll need: Proof of health and long-term care insurance in Germany, Proof of living-space size and costs, Proof of B1 German, Evidence of knowledge of the German legal and social order

2. Apply

   • Complete the online application

     Complete the online application for the permanent settlement permit or EU long-term residence permit and upload the required documents.

     You’ll need: Application and supporting documents

   • Pay and save the confirmation

     Pay the processing fee before submitting and save the PDF confirmation issued at the end of the application.

     You’ll need: Application confirmation PDF

   • Respond to document requests

     Check your email and provide further documents if the immigration office requests them.

     You’ll need: Any further documents requested

3. Settle in

   • Attend the interview

     If your application is reviewed positively, attend the appointment and bring the original documents named in your invitation.

     You’ll need: Original documents specified in the invitation

   • Collect your residence title

     Collect the electronic residence title when it has been issued and is ready for collection.

Permanent residence in Germany, with greater mobility within and outside the EU.

• EU long-term residence permit - application - Services - Service Berlin - Berlin.deservice.berlin.deOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.