If you have an academic degree and are working or wish to work in Germany as a highly qualified specialist, you can obtain a settlement permit in special individual cases, even immediately after your arrival.

You are considered highly qualified, for example, if you work as a scientist with special expertise or if you have at least two years of professional experience as a teacher in a prominent position.

The settlement permit is an independent right of residence that is not dependent on the original purpose of your stay. It entitles you to pursue gainful employment and is unlimited in terms of time and location.

Please note that the immediate granting of a settlement permit is an exception. Being highly qualified is not in itself sufficient to qualify as a special case. Rather, it depends on an overall assessment of all the facts.

• You have an academic degree, which means you hold
  • a German college degree,
  • a recognized foreign university degree, or
  • a foreign university degree that is comparable to a German university degree.
    Please note:

If you wish to work in a regulated profession (for example, in academic healthcare professions), recognition of your foreign college degree by the competent authority is mandatory.

• You are considered a highly qualified professional, which means you are, for example,
  • a researcher with specialized expertise,
  • a professor in a senior position,
  • a research associate in a senior position.

Please note:

This list is not exhaustive.

Specialized expertise is considered to exist if you possess a special qualification or knowledge of above-average significance in a specific field. This is typically the case when a research area can be identified in which you have acquired special expertise (for example, through successful projects, research initiatives, or publications). The specific field of your work is irrelevant.

For faculty members, a distinguished role is held by chairholders as well as institute directors.

Research assistants are considered to be in a prominent position if, beyond their usual duties, they independently develop and carry out projects or lead—or are expected to lead—research departments, project groups, or working groups. The level of salary is irrelevant in this context.

• You have an employment contract or a concrete job offer.
• You can demonstrate at least two years of professional experience.
• Additionally, a positive assessment from the immigration authorities is required, indicating that your integration into German society (both legally and socially) is expected (for example, based on existing German language skills, previous stays in Germany, or international experience).
• You are able to support yourself (and your family) financially—including health insurance—independently, that is, without relying on public benefits.
• There are no grounds related to public safety or public order that would prevent your residence in Germany.

• 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 specific application form.
• If you can only apply in person, make an appointment at the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to schedule an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be verified (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably the originals).
• Depending on the federal state, approval from another authority may be required for the settlement permit to be issued.

• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to issue the settlement permit in the form of the electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners’ Registration Office commissions the Federal Printing Office to produce the eAT card. Once it is ready, you will be notified and can pick up the eAT card at the appropriate office. The eAT card must generally be picked up in person.
• If your application is denied, you will receive a notice of denial.

• If you wish to work in a non-regulated profession, you can find more information at https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html about how your foreign college degree is evaluated in Germany. You also have the option of having your degree individually evaluated by the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen), which can be found at https://www.kmk.org/zab/zentralstellefuer-auslaendisches-bildungswesen.html, to demonstrate its comparability with a German higher education degree.
• No proof of German language proficiency is required to obtain a settlement permit.
• The granting of a settlement permit is at the discretion of the competent immigration authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a decision free of errors of discretion.
• The procedure is generally conducted in German.
• A settlement permit may expire if the holder stays outside Germany for more than six months, unless this stay abroad was previously coordinated with the immigration office.
• All information provided to the immigration office should be accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the application can be processed without significant delays.
• Inaccurate or incomplete information can slow down the proceedings and be detrimental to those involved. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not supplemented or corrected in a timely manner with the Foreigners’ Registration Office may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or deportation from German territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is provided for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

• File an appeal against the decision of the Immigration Office within one month of its notification.
• File a lawsuit with the court specified in the appeal decision if the appeal is denied.

Application deadline:

Duration (if a range): 6 to 8

Note (for more information on the deadline):

The application must be received by the Foreigners’ Registration Office no later than six to eight weeks before your visa or current residence permit expires.

Note (for further information on the deadline):

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

Duration (for the range): approx. 6 to 8

Note regarding further information on processing time:

Processing times may vary depending on the workload of the Foreigners’ Registration Office.

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

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

• A recognized and valid identification document (such as a passport or passport substitute)
• Visa, if required for entry
• Current biometric passport-sized photo (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself (e.g., proof of income, employment contract, personal assets, pension statement, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child allowance, alimony payments)
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of coverage from a health insurance provider or an insurance policy)
• Proof of special qualifications or professional experience (e.g., training certificates, certificates, employment reference)
• Employment contract or binding job offer
• If practicing a regulated profession:
  • Professional license (e.g., medical license, professional authorization)
  • Recognition of the foreign university degree by the competent authority

The documents and information must generally be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Foreigners’ Registration Office may require fewer or additional documents.

Cost (fixed): €147.00

Note: Additional fees may apply for the issuance of a settlement permit in the form of an electronic residence permit, which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

The timing and form of fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

Lower fees may apply for Turkish citizens.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes