Extend Residence Permit for Self-Employed or Freelance Activity
Your self-employed or freelance activity is going well? Then renew your residence permit now.
At a glance
How do you extend your residence permit for self-employed or freelance work?
You have a residence permit for self-employed or freelance work under Section 21 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). Your work is successful and your income is secured on a permanent basis. In that case, you can apply to have your residence permit extended.
You can submit your application no earlier than 4 months before your current residence permit expires.
Note: Self-employed persons may be granted a settlement permit after 3 years. Freelancers can apply for a settlement permit no earlier than after 5 years.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You have a valid residence permit for self-employed or freelance activity under Section 21 of the Residence Act, and your activity is successful with a permanently secured livelihood.
Additional requirements
- From the age of 45, you need adequate retirement provision: at least €1,612.53 per month in pension income or €232,204.00 in assets.
- You must have adequate health insurance and your main residence must be in Berlin. There must be no grounds for expulsion.
- You can submit the application at the earliest 4 months before your current residence permit expires.
How to apply
Submit the online application for a residence permit for self-employed or freelance persons (at the earliest 4 months before expiry).
Pay the partial processing fee of €13.00 by credit card or PayPal before submitting.
Upload the audit report (self-employed persons) or tax assessment notice and bank statements (freelancers), as well as all other required documents.
Wait for the review by the LEA (Landesamt für Einwanderung – Berlin Immigration Authority). If needed, the authority will request additional documents.
Attend your appointment and bring all documents listed in the invitation letter in their original form.
Well done! You can receive the extension of your residence permit.
Extension of the residence permit as a label (sticker)
- Extension of the Residence Permit as an Electronic Residence Title93.00 EUR
- Renewal of the residence permit for Turkish nationals up to the age of 2422.80 EUR
- Renewal of the residence permit for Turkish nationals from the age of 2437.00 EUR
- Creation of a digital passport photo at the self-service terminal on site (additional service)6.00 EUR
Good to know
Your residence permit contains a resolutory condition. If you end your self-employment, your residence title expires automatically. Receiving social benefits under SGB II or SGB XII also leads to expiry.
Erlischt mit Beendigung der selbstständigen Tätigkeit als ____________________. Erlischt mit dem Bezug von Leistungen nach dem SGB II oder SGB XII bzw. AsylbLG
VAB A.21, S. 249-261
After three years of successful self-employment, you can receive a settlement permit. The authority decides on a case-by-case basis. However, this path does not apply to freelancers under paragraph 5.
Bei Freiberuflern -insbesondere Künstlern und Sprachlehrern- kommt der § 21 Abs.4 S.2 ausweislich des § 21 Abs.5 S. 4 nicht in Betracht. Nach fünf Jahren greift der gesetzliche Anspruchstatbestand des § 9 Abs.2.
VAB A.21, S. 249-261
Do you have a residence permit as a freelancer under paragraph 5? Then you do not need an audit report. Other evidence such as tax assessments, bank statements, or a net profit calculation is sufficient.
Für die Verlängerung einer AE nach § 21 Abs.5 ist die Vorlage eines Prüfberichts nicht erforderlich.
VAB A.21, S. 249-261
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Extend Residence Permit for Self-Employed or Freelance Activity
A residence permit as a sticker can be issued on site at the appointment. If issued as an electronic residence title (eAT), it takes 4–6 weeks until it can be collected.