GermanyResidence
Germany permanent residence (settlement permit)
Settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) and EU long-term residence
In short
The settlement permit is Germany's unlimited residence title. The general route requires five years with a residence permit, 60 months of pension contributions, B1 German, basic knowledge of the legal and social order and adequate housing; Blue Card holders, skilled workers, German graduates, the self-employed and spouses of Germans qualify sooner.
checked 23 October 2026
Key facts
- Validity
- Unlimited.
- Fee
- €113General fee; EUR 147 for highly qualified persons, EUR 124 for the self-employed, EUR 109 for EU long-term residence. Turkish nationals with association rights pay the German ID-card fee instead.
- Work
- Any employment or self-employment.
- Path to permanent residence
- This is the permanent status; naturalisation is a separate procedure.
- Where to apply
- Foreigners authority (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany.
Faster routes
EU Blue Card holders: after 27 months, or 21 months with B1 German. Skilled workers under §§ 18a/18b: after three years with 36 months of contributions and B1. Graduates of German universities or vocational training: after two years in a matching job. Self-employed under § 21: after three years if the business is successful. Spouses of Germans: after three years of marriage in Germany with B1. Highly qualified persons can be granted the permit immediately in special cases.
General conditions (§ 9)
You need five years with a residence permit, a secured livelihood, at least 60 months of statutory pension contributions or comparable provision, sufficient German (B1), basic knowledge of the legal and social order (usually shown by the "Leben in Deutschland" test or a completed integration course), adequate housing for the family and no serious public-order concerns. Married couples can share the pension and employment requirements.
Fees
Under §§ 44 and 44a of the AufenthV fee rules the settlement permit costs EUR 113, EUR 147 for highly qualified persons and EUR 124 for the self-employed; the EU long-term residence permit costs EUR 109. Turkish nationals covered by the EEC–Türkiye association pay a fee equal to the German identity card fee (§ 52a AufenthV).
Settlement permit or EU long-term residence
The EU long-term residence permit (§ 9a) also requires five years of lawful stay and similar conditions, but it additionally allows easier moves to other EU states. Both are applied for at the local foreigners authority with proof of pension contributions, income, housing and language.
- Check which route applies to you and when you become eligible.
- Obtain the B1 certificate and pass the "Leben in Deutschland" test if needed.
- Request a pension insurance statement (Versicherungsverlauf).
- Book an appointment or apply online with your foreigners authority.
- Submit the documents, pay the fee and collect the electronic residence card.
Documents
Required documents
Identity
- Passport and current residence permit; biometric photo
Money
- Pension insurance statement showing the required months of contributions
Work
- Employment contract and recent payslips, or business documents for the self-employed
Study
- B1 German certificate and "Leben in Deutschland" test or integration course certificate
Insurance
- Proof of health insurance
Other
- Rental contract showing adequate living space
Frequently asked questions
How many years until I can get a settlement permit?
Generally five; 21–27 months for Blue Card holders, three years for skilled workers, the self-employed and spouses of Germans, two years for German graduates.
Which German level is needed?
B1 for the general route and most fast routes; basic German for the 27-month Blue Card route.
Do Turkish citizens pay less?
Yes, those covered by the association agreement pay a fee equal to the German ID card fee.
Official sources
- Residence Act (AufenthG) § 9 – settlement permit
- Residence Act (AufenthG) § 9a – EU long-term residence
- Residence Act (AufenthG) § 18c – settlement permit for skilled workers
- Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) § 44 – fees for the settlement permit
- Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) § 44a – fee for EU long-term residence
- Residence Ordinance (AufenthV) § 52a – fees for persons with rights under the EEC–Türkiye association
- BAMF – EU Blue Card
Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.
Other visa types for Germany
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Family and friends visit visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Medical treatment visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Culture, sports and events visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
- Self-employed and freelancer visa Validity: Up to three years.
Study and training
- Student visa Validity: The visa is usually issued for several months; the residence permit in Germany is normally granted for two years at a time, at least one year, and renewed while studies progress.
- Language course visa Validity: For the length of the course.
- Researcher visa Validity: At least one year, or the length of the research project if shorter.
- Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Up to six months for the EU internship permit
- Au pair visa Maximum stay: Six to twelve months
Work
- Work visa Processing time: Appointment waiting times depend on the mission; after submission the Federal Employment Agency approval adds a few weeks. The accelerated skilled-worker procedure shortens this.
- Skilled worker visa Validity: Up to four years, or the length of the employment contract plus three months if shorter.
- EU Blue Card Validity: Up to four years, or the length of the contract plus three months.
- Job seeker visa Maximum stay: Up to one year; a follow-up Opportunity Card of up to two years is possible for a qualified job that does not yet meet another permit.
- Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Length of the transfer, at most three years (one year for trainees).
- Working holiday visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months, once
Family
- Family reunification visa Validity: Visa for entry; the residence permit is then issued in line with the sponsor's permit.
- Spouse and partner visa Processing time: Same appointment system and waiting times as other family reunification visas at the mission responsible for you.
Faster processing
- Fast-track and priority visa services Processing time: Recognition authority: decision within two months; Federal Employment Agency: one week; mission: appointment within three weeks and decision usually within three weeks of a complete application.
Protection
- Asylum and international protection Processing time: Regular procedure: six months from the application; accelerated procedure: at most three months; border procedure: at most twelve weeks.