Residence cards and certificate of permanent residence for persons entitled to freedom of movement; application

EU citizens do not require a visa to enter or a residence permit to stay in Germany. Citizens of the EEA states Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein have the same status as EU citizens under the provisions of the Act on the General Freedom of Movement of EU Citizens (Freizügigkeitsgesetz/EU - FreizügG/EU), but without acquiring the status of EU citizens or family members of EU citizens.

EU citizens with a valid passport or identity card enjoy freedom of movement and thus the right to stay for more than three months as workers, to seek work or for vocational training, as established self-employed persons, as providers and recipients of services and as permanent residents. EU citizens who are not gainfully employed are entitled to freedom of movement if they have adequate health insurance cover and sufficient resources.

The issuing of a certificate on the right to freedom of movement is no longer provided for by law.

EU citizens who have been legally resident in Germany for five years have the right of entry and residence (right of permanent residence), irrespective of the other requirements for freedom of movement, see § 4a FreizügigkeitsG/EU. Upon application, the foreigners authority will certify their right of permanent residence.

Family members (spouse or registered partner, children up to the age of 21 and, under certain conditions, other family members) of an EU citizen entitled to freedom of movement are also entitled to freedom of movement if they accompany or join the EU citizen. However, family members entitled to freedom of movement who are not EU citizens (so-called third-country nationals) generally require an entry visa (see "Related topics" - "National visa"). The immigration authorities will issue them with a residence card for family members of EU citizens, which is valid for five years, ex officio within six months of them providing the required information. The family member will immediately receive a certificate confirming that the required information has been provided. Family members of EU citizens who are third-country nationals are entitled to permanent residence if the family member is entitled to permanent residence and has resided legally with the family member in Germany for five years. They will be issued a permanent residence card by the immigration authority within six months of submitting their application.

Note: An absence of more than two consecutive years for a reason that is not merely temporary in nature leads to the loss of the right of permanent residence.

For further information on the right of permanent residence and certificates on the right of permanent residence as well as residence cards and the right of residence of family members (e.g. in the event of divorce from an EU citizen entitled to freedom of movement or their departure or death), please contact the immigration authority responsible for your place of residence in each individual case.

For secure contact, please use our online service via the button above.
You can also access our topic page: Residence of EU and EEA citizens and their families (persons entitled to freedom of movement) via the button "Residence permits, residence cards and certificates relevant to residence - Free movement online service".

Under Forms you will find the "Application for the issue or extension of a residence permit".

Permanent residence certificate:

• Citizenship of an EU member state or citizenship of one of the EEA states Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway.
• five years of permanent legal residence in Germany (in the cases regulated in Section 4a (2) FreizügigkeitsG/EU, possibly even earlier)

Residence card:

• third-country national family members (spouse or registered partner, children up to the age of 21 and, under certain conditions, other family members) of an EU citizen entitled to freedom of movement
• Accompanying or joining this EU citizen

Permanent residence card:

• third-country national family members (spouse or registered partner, children up to the age of 21 and, under certain conditions, other family members) of an EU citizen with permanent residence status
• five years of permanent legal residence in Germany with the EU citizen with permanent residence status

Note: Depending on the circumstances of the individual case, further requirements may have to be met. Please ask the relevant immigration authority in each individual case.

• Marriage certificate or partnership certificate/birth certificate for each child - with apostille or legalization endorsement if required
• for foreign-language documents: certified German translation. Only international, multilingual documents do not require a translation.
• Possibly confirmation of registration of the EU citizen whom the family members are accompanying or joining

• Application for the issue or extension of a residence permit

  Please fill out the application form in block letters or on a typewriter or computer in German.

  Please check or complete as appropriate. Please do not fill in blank fields.

   

Permanent residence certificate: 10,00 Euro

Residence card or permanent residence card (persons up to the age of 24): 22.80 euros

Residence card or permanent residence card (persons after the age of 24): 37.00 Euro

• § Section 47 (3) Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
• §§ Sections 2, 3, 4, 4a, 5 Act on the General Freedom of Movement of EU Citizens (Freedom of Movement Act/EU - FreizügG/EU)

• Residence permit; general information
• National visa; application and extension