Apply for EU Long-Term Residence Permit
Find out how to apply for the unlimited EU long-term residence permit with EU-wide mobility after 5 years of residence.
At a glance
How do you get the EU long-term residence permit?
You have been living in Germany with a residence title for at least 5 years? Then you have a statutory right to the EU long-term residence permit. The authority must grant it to you if you meet all the requirements.
The EU long-term residence permit is an unlimited residence title. Compared to the settlement permit, it offers you greater mobility within and outside the EU.
The EU long-term residence permit cannot be granted if your residence title was issued for humanitarian, international law, or political reasons (exceptions: Section 23(2), Section 23(4), Section 25(1), or Section 25(2) AufenthG). It is also excluded for a residence title for studies, training and further training, or for a temporary purpose. In these cases, a general settlement permit may be possible.
You can only submit the application online. Have all documents ready and pay the processing fee in the online application.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You are at least 18 years old and have been living lawfully and continuously in Germany with a residence title for at least 5 years
- The permit is excluded if your residence title was issued for humanitarian, international law, or political reasons (exceptions: Section 23(2), Section 23(4), Section 25(1), Section 25(2) AufenthG), for studies or training and further training, or for a temporary purpose
Additional requirements
- Your livelihood must be secured — you must not receive or be entitled to Bürgergeld (citizens' benefit) or social welfare.
- You need German health and long-term care insurance (statutory or comparable private), adequate retirement provision (generally at least 60 months of pension insurance contributions), German language skills at level B1, and basic knowledge of the legal and social system.
- You need sufficient living space, a primary residence in Berlin, and there must be no indications of a threat to public safety.
- The 5 years include national visa, residence permit, EU Blue Card, and settlement permit. Studies and training are counted at half. Periods with toleration status (Duldung) or temporary residence purpose are not counted.
How to apply
Check whether you meet the requirements for the EU long-term residence permit
Gather all necessary documents: colour passport copies, copy of your residence title, proof of livelihood, health and long-term care insurance, retirement provision, living space, German language skills at B1, and basic knowledge of the legal and social system
Submit the online application and pay the processing fee
Save the confirmation of your application as a PDF — this keeps your current residence title valid beyond its previous expiry date
Wait for the review by the State Office for Immigration and submit further documents if requested
Attend the appointment in person and bring all documents in original
Done! The authority must grant you the EU long-term residence permit if you meet all the requirements.
Processing fee (in the online application)
- Issuance fee (at the in-person appointment)54,50 EUR
- Turkish nationals up to 24 years: processing fee11,40 EUR
- Turkish nationals up to 24 years: issuance fee11,40 EUR
- Turkish nationals from 24 years: processing fee18,50 EUR
- Turkish nationals from 24 years: issuance fee18,50 EUR
Good to know
Has your spouse paid 60 pension contributions? Then you do not need to prove your own contributions. It is sufficient if one spouse meets the requirement.
Nach § 9 Abs. 3 Satz 1, dem sogenannten Ehegattenprivileg, ist es ausreichend, wenn nur ein Ehegatte die Voraussetzung der 60 Pflichtbeiträge erfüllt.
VAB A.9, S. 90-99
Are you waiting for the extension of your residence permit? The time with the Fiktionsbescheinigung is credited. The condition is that your residence permit is actually extended afterward.
Zeiten der Fortgeltung einer Aufenthaltserlaubnis aufgrund Fiktionswirkung nach § 81 Abs. 4 AufenthG werden auf den erforderlichen fünfjährigen Besitz der Aufenthaltserlaubnis angerechnet, wenn dem Betroffenen daraufhin die Aufenthaltserlaubnis erteilt bzw. verlängert worden ist.
VAB A.9, S. 90-99
Do you have a physical, mental, or psychological illness or disability? Then the authority must waive the language and integration knowledge requirements. The illness must make fulfillment impossible.
Von den Voraussetzungen der Nr. 7 und 8 wird nach § 9 Abs. 2 S. 3 abgesehen, wenn eine körperliche, geistige oder seelische Erkrankung oder Behinderung die Erfüllung der Voraussetzungen unmöglich macht.
VAB A.9, S. 90-99
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Apply for EU Long-Term Residence Permit
If your application is approved, you will receive an appointment. At the appointment, you will receive a written confirmation of your lawful residence until the ordered residence title is handed over. After the appointment, it takes at least 4 weeks until the EU long-term residence permit is issued as an electronic residence title and can be collected.