Periods of residence before EU accession can count

Your home country joined the EU later? Periods of residence in Germany before accession can still be counted. The condition is that you would have met the requirements of freedom of movement at that time.

Up to 6 months of absence per year is allowed

You may be outside Germany for a total of up to 6 months per year. This does not interrupt your 5-year period. For important reasons, up to 12 months of absence is even possible.

Early permanent right of residence upon leaving the workforce

You do not always have to wait 5 years. If you permanently leave the workforce as an employed person, you can get the permanent right of residence earlier. This applies, for example, upon retirement or permanent incapacity to work.

Apply for Certificate of Permanent Residence for EU/EEA Nationals

As an EU or EEA citizen, you automatically receive a permanent right of residence after 5 years of continuous stay.

At a glance

What is the certificate of permanent right of residence for EU citizens?

You are an EU citizen or a national of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway? And you have stayed continuously in Germany with a right of free movement for 5 years? Then you have a permanent right of residence by law. The authority does this automatically. You do not need to do anything extra.

You can have a certificate issued. However, this certificate is purely declaratory. This means: you do not need it for your lawful residence. It is also not required to exercise rights or complete administrative formalities.

In certain cases, the required time may also be less than 5 years.

Requirements

Who qualifies?

You are an EU citizen or a national of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway and have generally stayed continuously in Germany with a right of free movement for at least 5 years, e.g. as an employee, self-employed person or non-economically active person with sufficient financial means.

Additional requirements

You need your main residence in Berlin and a personal appointment. Contact department E 6 via the contact form.

How to apply

Book an appointment via the contact form with department E 6 of the State Office for Immigration.

Gather all necessary documents: completed form, passport or ID card, biometric passport photo, registration office extract and proof of the right of free movement.

Attend the appointment in person and bring all documents.

Done! The certificate is generally issued directly at the appointment.

Since 01.05.2025 only digital photos are accepted. Learn more

Antrag auf Ausstellung einer Daueraufenthaltsbescheinigung

10,00EUR

Certificate of permanent right of residence

Good to know

With the permanent right of residence, you may claim public benefits. This does not harm your residence status. You do not need to worry.

Die Inanspruchnahme von öffentlichen Mitteln ist gänzlich unschädlich.

VAB C.4a, S. 763-765

With the permanent right of residence, you may freely enter and leave the country. You may also settle in Germany. No additional requirements are needed for this.

Unabhängig von den Voraussetzungen des § 2 Abs. 2 können daueraufenthaltsberechtigte Unionsbürger und Drittstaatsangehörige sodann ein- und ausreisen oder sich hier niederlassen.

VAB C.4a, S. 763-765

With the permanent right of residence, you receive special protection. The authority can only withdraw your right under stricter conditions.

erlangen von Gesetzes wegen ein Daueraufenthaltsrecht und einen Schutz vor der Feststellung des Verlusts ihrer Rechte gem. § 5 Abs. 5 FreizügG/EU

VAB C.4a, S. 763-765

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