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EU permanent residence; applying for a permit

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  • Brief description

    Foreign nationals from non-EU countries who are legally resident in Germany on a long-term basis and have integrated both economically and socially can, under certain conditions, be granted "EU permanent residence permit".

  • Description

    The EU permanent residence permit is an unlimited residence title and serves to consolidate a foreigner's stay in Germany. It entitles the holder to work as an employee or to pursue self-employment in Germany.
    In this respect, the EU permanent residence permit is equivalent to a "national" settlement permit (see "Related topics").

    On the other hand, the EU permanent residence permit is also the basis for obtaining a right of residence and permission to take up employment in another EU Member State under simplified conditions. In this way, a third-country national also obtains a certain degree of freedom of movement within the European Union. The holder of a "national" settlement permit, on the other hand, can only make use of the so-called Schengen freedom of movement in the member states of the European Union (stay only for visiting purposes for a maximum of 90 days per 180-day period).

    The conditions for granting this permit are essentially the same as for the "national" settlement permit (see "Related topics"). However, there are stricter requirements than for the "national" settlement permit, for example with regard to securing the livelihood of the foreigner and their dependents, whom they must support.

    Exceptions to the granting of an EU permanent residence permit are

    • Holders of some residence permits for humanitarian reasons, as well as foreigners who have applied for such a permit.
    • Foreigners who have applied for humanitarian protection status in another Member State as long as a decision has not yet been made.
    • Diplomats
    • Persons staying in the territory for study purposes or as part of vocational training.

  • Prerequisites

    A foreigner must be granted an EU permanent residence permit if

    • he/she has resided in the federal territory with a residence permit for an uninterrupted period of five years,
    • his or her livelihood and that of his or her dependants, to whom he or she is obliged to provide maintenance, is secured by fixed and regular income,
    • he has sufficient knowledge of the German language,
    • he has a basic knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany,
    • reasons of public safety or order, taking into account the severity or nature of the violation of public safety or order or the danger posed by the foreigner, taking into account the duration of the previous stay and the existence of ties in the federal territory, and
    • he has sufficient living space for himself and the members of his family living with him.

  • Required documents

    The documents to be submitted may vary greatly.

    Valid passport

    Current biometric photo (frontal view)

    Proof of secure livelihood

    Proof of sufficient living space

    Proof of health insurance cover

    Proof of completed integration course

  • Forms

    Special information for - District of Bad Tölz Wolfratshausen

  • Costs

    109 Euro

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    Administrative court action

  • Further links

  • Procedure

    • Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form. If you have entered your place of residence, you may be referred to the application form or the online procedure under "Forms" or "Online procedure".
    • If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office. If you apply online, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
    • Your identity and documents will be checked during the appointment (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably in the original).
    • If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to produce the residence permit in the form of a new electronic residence permit (eAT).
    • The Foreigners' Registration Office commissions the Bundesdruckerei to produce the eAT. After completion, you will receive information and can collect your residence permit from the responsible office. This must always be collected in person.
    • If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

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