Apply for Settlement Permit for Persons Entitled to Asylum and Recognized Refugees
Secure your unlimited settlement permit as a recognised refugee after 3 or 5 years.
At a glance
How do you apply for a settlement permit as an asylum beneficiary or recognised refugee?
You were recognised by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) as entitled to asylum or as a refugee under the Geneva Refugee Convention? Or you were admitted as a resettlement refugee? Then after 5 years you have a statutory right to an unlimited settlement permit. The authority must grant it to you if you meet the requirements.
If you are well integrated linguistically and economically, you can receive the settlement permit after just 3 years.
You submit the application exclusively online. Use the Quick Check beforehand to verify whether your application is likely to be successful. After the online application, you will receive a confirmation. This keeps your current residence title valid beyond its previous expiry date.
Note: If you hold a residence permit for other humanitarian reasons, different requirements apply. Please check the service "Apply for a settlement permit (general)".
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You were recognised as entitled to asylum or as a refugee under the Geneva Refugee Convention, or were admitted as a resettlement refugee (residence permit under Section 25(1), Section 25(2) GFK, or Section 23(4) AufenthG).
Additional requirements
- You have held the residence permit for at least 3 years (with good integration) or at least 5 years. Periods of an asylum procedure or other permitted residence are counted.
- The BAMF has not notified that the conditions for revocation or withdrawal of your protection status exist.
- Your livelihood is predominantly secured through your own income. For 3 years of residence, public benefits must be less than 25% of your total income; for 5 years, less than 50%. Exceptions apply for permanent illness (specialist medical certificate) or from the age of 67 with at least 5 years of residence permit.
- You are covered by health insurance in Germany (statutory or comparable private). A foreign health insurance is generally not sufficient.
- German language skills: for 3 years of residence, level C1 of the CEFR; for 5 years, level A2. Exception for permanent illness (specialist medical certificate).
- You have basic knowledge of the legal and social system, e.g. through an integration course, educational qualification in Germany, or at least one year of school-based or vocational training. Exception for permanent illness.
- You have sufficient living space for yourself and your family members. Your primary residence is in Berlin. There must be no indications of a threat to public safety.
How to apply
Use the Quick Check to verify whether you meet the requirements
Submit the online application and upload all required documents
Save the PDF confirmation of your application and print it
Wait for the review by the State Office for Immigration (LEA). The LEA will contact you and request further documents if needed.
Attend your appointment and bring all documents listed in the invitation letter in original
Done! The authority must grant you the settlement permit if you meet the requirements
Good to know
You do not need to prove contributions to the statutory pension insurance. This also applies to comparable expenditures. This simplification only exists for persons entitled to asylum and recognized refugees.
vom Erfordernis der Beiträge zur ges. Rentenversicherung oder vergleichbarer Aufwendungen abgesehen wird
VAB A.26, S. 348-357
The authority MUST grant you the settlement permit. This is not a discretionary decision. The requirement is that you meet all conditions.
Die Erteilung einer Niederlassungserlaubnis nach drei bzw. fünf Jahren an Personen, die eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 25 Abs. 1 (Asylberechtigte) bzw. Abs. 2 Satz 1 1. Alt. (anerkannte Flüchtlinge nach der GFK) sowie § 23 Abs. 4 (sog. Resettlement-Flüchtlinge) besitzen, ist in § 26 Abs. 3, Satz 1, Satz 3 und Satz 6 als lex specialis zu § 9 geregelt
VAB A.26, S. 348-357
Did you enter Germany before your 18th birthday? Then Section 35 of the Residence Act may apply to you from age 16. This can simplify the requirements for the settlement permit.
Für Jugendliche ab Vollendung des 16. Lj und junge Erwachsene kann § 35 entsprechend angewandt werden, wenn diese vor Vollendung des 18. Lebensjahres eingereist sind.
VAB A.26, S. 348-357
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Apply for Settlement Permit for Persons Entitled to Asylum and Recognized Refugees
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 settlement permit is issued as an electronic residence title and can be collected.