Settle for good · Germany
Germany settlement permit
Official name: Settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
The settlement permit is a permanent residence title. The official guidance describes different qualifying routes for skilled workers, EU Blue Card holders, people who trained or studied in Germany, highly skilled workers, self-employed people and spouses of skilled workers.
- Main fee
- €113 per person
- Decision
- Not published yet
- Last checked
- Being checked
Who it's for
Is this for you?
People who meet the conditions for one of the settlement-permit routes described in the official guidance.
Requirements
What you need
Qualify through a route
Meet the conditions for the relevant settlement-permit route; the conditions below are route-specific alternatives, not one combined checklist.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSkilled worker: residence titleSometimes needed
Hold a residence title under section 18a, 18b, 18d or 18g of the Residence Act for three years.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSkilled worker: living costsSometimes needed
Be able to cover your living costs without assistance from the state.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSkilled worker: pensionSometimes needed
Have paid compulsory or voluntary contributions to the statutory pension insurance scheme for at least 36 months.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSkilled worker: jobSometimes needed
Have a job that your residence permit allows you to do.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSkilled worker: GermanSometimes needed
Demonstrate German language skills at CEFR level B1.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSkilled worker: civic knowledgeSometimes needed
Have basic knowledge of Germany’s legal and social system and way of life; this is usually proven by the “Living in Germany” test.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSkilled worker: housingSometimes needed
Have sufficient living space for yourself and any family members living with you.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceEU Blue Card: employment and pensionSometimes needed
As an EU Blue Card holder, have been in qualified employment for at least 27 months and have paid into the statutory pension insurance scheme.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceEU Blue Card: GermanSometimes needed
Demonstrate German at CEFR level A1; with German at CEFR level B1, the qualifying period is reduced from 27 to 21 months.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceEU Blue Card: civic knowledgeSometimes needed
Have basic knowledge of Germany’s legal and social system and way of life; this is usually proven by the “Living in Germany” test.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceEU Blue Card: housingSometimes needed
Demonstrate that you have sufficient living space.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceEU Blue Card: living costsSometimes needed
Demonstrate that you are able to cover your living costs.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceGerman qualification route: completionSometimes needed
Have successfully completed higher education or vocational training in Germany.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceGerman qualification route: residenceSometimes needed
Have held a residence permit for skilled-worker employment under section 18a, 18b, 18d or 18g for at least two years.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceGerman qualification route: jobSometimes needed
Have a job that your residence permit allows you to do.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceGerman qualification route: pensionSometimes needed
Have paid into the statutory pension insurance scheme for 24 months.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceGerman qualification route: language and knowledgeSometimes needed
Demonstrate German at CEFR level B1 and basic knowledge of Germany’s legal and social system and way of life; the latter is usually proven by the “Living in Germany” test.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceGerman qualification route: housingSometimes needed
Demonstrate that you have sufficient living space.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceHighly skilled route: academic trainingSometimes needed
In special cases, highly skilled workers can obtain a settlement permit immediately; they must prove they have completed academic training.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceHighly skilled route: integration and incomeSometimes needed
There must be reason to assume that you will be able to integrate into the way of life in Germany and cover your living costs without assistance from the state.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSelf-employed route: residence titleSometimes needed
At the time of application, hold a valid residence title allowing you to be self-employed.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSelf-employed route: durationSometimes needed
Have been self-employed for three years.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSelf-employed route: businessSometimes needed
Your current work must give reason to expect that it will continue to develop sustainably, given the success and longevity of your business activities.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSelf-employed route: living costsSometimes needed
Demonstrate that you and your family members can cover your living costs on a permanent basis.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSpouse route: partner’s permitSometimes needed
Your spouse or registered civil partner must have a settlement permit for skilled workers under section 18c of the Residence Act.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSpouse route: residenceSometimes needed
Have had a residence permit for at least three years.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSpouse route: workSometimes needed
Work at least 20 hours per week and have the required work permit.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSpouse route: cohabitationSometimes needed
Cohabit as partners with your spouse or registered civil partner.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSpouse route: GermanSometimes needed
Demonstrate German language skills at CEFR level B1.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSourceSpouse route: civic knowledgeSometimes needed
Have basic knowledge of Germany’s legal and social system and way of life; this is usually proven by the “Living in Germany” test.
Researched just now · being double-checkedSource
Money and time
Fees and how long it takes
- Settlement permit: all cases other than the specified highly skilled and self-employed casesResearched just now · being double-checkedSource€113 per person
- Settlement permit for highly skilled workers under section 18c(3)Researched just now · being double-checkedSource€147 per person
- Settlement permit for self-employment under section 21(4)Researched just now · being double-checkedSource€124 per person
Step by step
How it works
Get ready
Check which route applies
Check the conditions for your qualifying category before applying.
Gather your evidence
Ask your local foreigners authority which documents it requires; Berlin lists evidence including your residence title, employment, pension contributions, German skills and living space for its skilled-worker application.
You’ll need: Current residence title, Evidence of employment, Evidence of pension provision, Evidence of German language skills, Evidence of living space
Apply
Contact your local foreigners authority
The national guidance recommends making an appointment at your local foreigners authority if you meet the requirements.
Submit your application
Follow your authority’s procedure; Berlin requires its skilled-worker settlement-permit application to be submitted online with supporting documents.
You’ll need: Application, Supporting documents required by the local foreigners authority
Pay the applicable fee
The national guidance says the fee varies by status group and is payable at the time of application.
Respond to document requests
Berlin says it checks submitted applications and requests further documents where necessary.
You’ll need: Any further documents requested
Attend your appointment
For Berlin’s skilled-worker procedure, attend the in-person appointment if invited and bring the original documents specified in the invitation.
You’ll need: Original documents specified in the appointment invitation
Settle in
Collect your permit
Berlin says the electronic settlement permit can be collected after it has been issued following the appointment.
After this
Where it leads
The right to live in Germany indefinitely with family and to work as an employee or a self-employed person.
Questions
In short
Who is the Germany settlement permit for?
People who meet the conditions for one of the settlement-permit routes described in the official guidance.
What do I need for the Germany settlement permit?
Qualify through a route.
How much does the Germany settlement permit cost?
Settlement permit: all cases other than the specified highly skilled and self-employed cases: €113 per person; Settlement permit for highly skilled workers under section 18c(3): €147 per person; Settlement permit for self-employment under section 21(4): €124 per person.
What can the Germany settlement permit lead to?
The right to live in Germany indefinitely with family and to work as an employee or a self-employed person.
How we know
Sources
- service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/326558/enOfficial
- Radware Pagemake-it-in-germany.comOfficial
- § 44 AufenthV - Einzelnormgesetze-im-internet.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.
Germany
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- Fee
- €75 per person
- Decision
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- Decision
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- Fee
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Germany research visa
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- Fee
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- Decision
- —
Germany visa for professionally experienced workers
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- Fee
- €75 per person
- Decision
- —
See if you fit the Germany settlement permit
Answer a few quick questions and Japper shows how you measure up, what's missing, and the steps from here.
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.
