As a recognized person entitled to asylum, a refugee under the Geneva Refugee Convention, or a resettlement refugee, you can obtain a permanent residence permit (known as a settlement permit) after three or five years under simplified conditions.

If you are under the age of 18, please first find out about the service "Settlement permit for minor children," which is granted on the basis of Section 35 of the Residence Act (see notes).

• You hold a valid residence permit as:
  • a recognized asylum seeker (Section 25 (1) of the Residence Act),
  • a recognized refugee under the Geneva Refugee Convention (Section 25 (2) sentence 1, 1st alternative of the Residence Act) or
  • resettlement refugee (Section 23 (4) of the Residence Act).
• You have held your residence permit for at least five years (the time spent in asylum proceedings is counted).
• The reasons for your recognition as a person entitled to asylum or a refugee still apply.
  Please note: Three years after recognition, the BAMF checks whether the reasons for recognition may no longer apply. For asylum decisions made in 2015, 2016, or 2017, the BAMF must have explicitly informed you that the conditions for revocation or withdrawal do not apply so that you can assume that your residence status will continue.
• If you would like to obtain a settlement permit after three years :
  • You have a command of the German language (level C1),
  • you and your spouse or partner can generally cover more than 75% of the living expenses for yourselves and your family members without claiming public benefits.
• If you would like to obtain a settlement permit after five years :
  • You have sufficient German language skills (level A2),
  • you and your spouse or partner can generally cover more than 50% of the living expenses for yourselves and your family members without claiming public benefits.
    Please note: This requirement does not apply if you have reached retirement age.
• You have a permanent work permit.
  Please note: In a marriage or registered civil partnership, it is sufficient if the partner has a work permit.
• If you work in a regulated profession, you must have the necessary professional license (e.g., medical license or professional license).
  Please note: In a marriage or registered partnership, it is sufficient if your partner has the license.
• You have a basic knowledge of the German legal and social system.
  Please note: Orientation courses offered by the BAMF provide this knowledge.
• You have sufficient living space for yourself and your family members who are part of your household.
• You have adequate health insurance.
• You have no previous convictions.
• There is no interest in expelling you.

• You must apply for a settlement permit before your current residence permit expires.
• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or provides a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, preferably the originals, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the settlement permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will commission the Federal Printing Office to produce the eAT card. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

• Minors and young adults who received a residence permit as asylum seekers or recognized refugees before reaching the age of 18 should find out about the service "Granting of a settlement permit for minor children." This settlement permit is granted on a different legal basis under simplified conditions from the age of 16 (Section 35 of the Residence Act).
• The procedure is usually conducted in German.
• A settlement permit may expire if you stay outside Germany for more than six months without first coordinating this stay abroad with the immigration office.
• Persons who have a residence permit for other humanitarian reasons can also obtain a settlement permit after five years. However, the requirements for this are different.
• Please ensure that the information you provide is correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief. This is the only way the immigration office can process your application without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the process and be to your disadvantage. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time to the immigration authorities can result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or expulsion from the federal territory.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authorities
• Action before the court named in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

6 to 8 weeks

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The application should be received by the immigration office no later than 6 to 8 weeks before the current residence permit expires.

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The settlement permit is issued for an indefinite period. Only the electronic residence permit (eAT card) is issued for a limited period and must be renewed after it expires.

Duration: approx. 6 to 8 weeks

Note for further information on processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the immigration office.

It takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit.

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g., passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses (e.g., proof of income, employment contract, pension statement, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child allowance, alimony payments).
  Please note: Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses may also be provided by third parties (e.g., spouses, registered partners, parents).
  After a period of residence of five years, proof of means of support is not required if the person has reached retirement age or has an illness or disability that prevents them from supporting themselves. This must be proven in an appropriate form (e.g., pension notice, specialist medical opinion, proof of residential care).
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy)
• Proof of German language skills at level A2 (for a five-year stay) or C1 (for a three-year stay) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (e.g., language certificate, German school, training, or university certificates)
  Please note : After a period of residence of five years, proof of successful participation in an integration course can be submitted as evidence.
  Proof of language skills may be waived if there is an illness or disability that prevents the language from being learned. This must be proven in an appropriate form (e.g., by a specialist medical opinion, proof of residential care, or other reasons that make learning the language permanently impossible or unreasonable).
• Proof of basic knowledge of the legal and social system in Germany (e.g., certificate or confirmation of successful participation in the integration course)
  Please note: After a period of residence of five years, this proof may be waived if there is an illness or disability that prevents the acquisition of knowledge. This must be proven in an appropriate form (e.g., by a specialist medical opinion, proof of residential care, or other reasons that make it permanently impossible or unreasonable to acquire the knowledge).
• Proof of sufficient living space (rental or purchase agreement providing information about the living space)
• Professional license (e.g., medical license, professional license) if you practice a regulated profession (in a marriage or registered partnership, proof can also be provided by your partner).
• If there was an obligation to participate in an integration course: Certificate of successful participation in the integration course

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the immigration office may require less or more evidence.

Free of charge

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes