Applying for a settlement permit for family members of Germans

To the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

• You are a foreign family member of a German national (spouse or partner, child or parent).

• You have been in possession of a residence permit for three years to live with your family in Germany.
• The family partnership with the German national continues to exist.
• You are able to support yourself without claiming public benefits.
• You have adequate health insurance.
• You have sufficient knowledge of German (level B 1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
  Please note: If you suffer from an illness or disability that prevents you from acquiring language skills, you do not have to fulfill this requirement.
• You have no criminal record.
• There is no interest in deporting you and you have not yet received a deportation order.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance necessary: Yes

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of means of subsistence (e.g. proof of income, pension certificate, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child benefit, maintenance payments).
  Please note: Proof of livelihood can also be provided by third parties (e.g. spouse, registered partner, parents).
• Proof of health insurance cover (e.g. confirmation of health insurance cover or insurance policy)
• Proof of German language skills at least at level B1 (e.g. language certificate, German school, training or university certificates, certificate of successful participation in an integration course)
  Please note: If there is an illness or disability that prevents the acquisition of language skills, this must be proven in a suitable form (e.g. specialist medical statement, proof of residential care)
• In the case of a third-country national parent of a German child: Birth certificate of the child, proof of personal custody
• For spouses or registered civil partners: marriage certificate / civil partnership certificate

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Immigration Office may require fewer or additional documents.

Cost amount (fixed):

• 56.50 euros for underage applicants
• 113.00 for adult applicants

Remark:

Additional fees may apply for the issuing of a settlement permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card), which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

Lower fees may apply for Turkish nationals.

• § 44 Nummer 3 Aufenthaltsverordnung
• § 50 Absatz 1 Satz 1 Aufenthaltsverordnung

• The settlement permit must be applied for before the validity of your current residence permit expires.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you may not submit the application yourself, but require a representative (as a rule, the application is submitted by the custodial parent).
• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be made in person, make an appointment at the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• If you have not yet reached the age of 18, you must be accompanied by at least one legal representative (usually a parent) at the personal appointment. In the case of joint custody, the parents must appear together at the authority and submit the application on your behalf.
  If one parent cannot appear in person, the other parent with custody rights must be issued with a written authorization to submit the application.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents to the appointment, in the original if possible).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to produce a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will commission the Bundesdruckerei to produce the eAT card. After completion, you will receive information and can collect the settlement permit from the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a notice of rejection.

Application deadline:

6 to 8 weeks

Note (for further information on the deadline):

At the latest 6 to 8 weeks before the current residence permit expires, the application should be received by the Aliens' Registration Office.

Period of validity:

The settlement permit is issued for an unlimited period. Only the electronic residence permit (eAT card) is issued for a limited period and must be renewed at the end of its validity.

Duration: approx. 6 to 8 weeks

Note for further information on the processing time:

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

The production of the electronic residence permit by the Bundesdruckerei takes about 4 to 6 weeks.

• Children who have not yet reached the age of 18 may not submit the application themselves, but must be represented by a legally competent person (e.g. a parent with custody).
• The procedure is usually carried out in German.
• Make sure that the information you provide is correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief. This is the only way the immigration authority can process your application without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be disadvantageous for you. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time vis-à-vis the Foreigners' Registration Office may result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from the federal territory.

• Information on the settlement permit can also be found on the portal of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees

• § 28 Absatz 2 Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG)
• § 9 Absatz 2 Satz 2 bis 5 Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG)
• § 5 Absatz 1 Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG)

• An appeal against a negative decision by the immigration authority can be lodged with the competent administrative court.
• There is no preliminary procedure (objection) in Lower Saxony.
• Detailed information can be found in the negative decision.

• Information on the settlement permit can also be found on the portal of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees