Apply for Settlement Permit for Children (from Age 16)
Find out how you can apply for your unlimited settlement permit from age 16 after 5 years of holding a residence permit.
At a glance
How do you get a settlement permit as a child from age 16?
You were born in Germany or came to Germany as a child with or to join your parents? You have held a residence permit for at least 5 years? Then you have a statutory right to the settlement permit. The authority must grant it to you if you meet the requirements.
The settlement permit can be granted at the earliest upon reaching the age of 16. Minors must have held a residence permit for 5 years by the time of their 16th birthday.
Adult foreigners can also apply for this settlement permit if their first residence permit was granted before they turned 18.
If you are still a minor, a legal representative (usually your parents) must submit the application for you. You can only submit the application online.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You are at least 16 years old, have held a residence permit for at least 5 years and were born in Germany or came to Germany as a child with or to join your parents
- Adult foreigners can also apply for this settlement permit if their first residence permit was granted before they turned 18
Additional requirements
- You are in training leading to a recognised school, vocational or academic qualification. Without current training, your livelihood must be secured (no citizen's income, social assistance or youth welfare). An exception can be made in case of permanent illness or disability.
- From the age of 18, you need German language skills at level B1. You need German health insurance and your main residence 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 for the settlement permit
Gather all necessary documents: colour passport copies, copy of your residence title, training certificates, health insurance and proof of accommodation
Submit the online application and pay the processing fee (for minors, a legal representative must submit the application)
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 additional documents if requested
Go to the appointment for a personal visit and bring all documents in the original
Done! The authority must grant you the settlement permit if you meet all requirements
Minors with residence permit for family reasons: Processing fee
- Minors with residence permit for family reasons: Granting fee27,50 EUR
- Minors with residence permit for humanitarian reasons: Processing fee28,25 EUR
- Minors with residence permit for humanitarian reasons: Granting fee28,25 EUR
- Adults: Processing fee56,50 EUR
- Adults: Granting fee56,50 EUR
- Turkish nationals up to age 24: Processing fee11,40 EUR
- Turkish nationals up to age 24: Granting fee11,40 EUR
- Turkish nationals from age 24: Processing fee18,50 EUR
- Turkish nationals from age 24: Granting fee18,50 EUR
Good to know
In Berlin, periods in criminal detention and pretrial detention are credited toward the 5 years. The federal government sees this differently. But Berlin says: There is no legal basis for exclusion.
Merke: Nach Nr. 35.1.1.6 AufenthG-VwV sind Zeiten einer Strafhaft sowie einer Untersuchungshaft, sofern diese auf eine verhängte Freiheitsstrafe angerechnet wurden, nicht anrechenbar. Für eine solche Regelung fehlt die Rechtsgrundlage. Sie kommt nicht zur Anwendung.
VAB A.35, S. 402-404
The 5 years of residence permit must be completed at the time of the authority's decision. You do not need to have them already at the time of application. This gives you more time.
Es reicht aus, dass der mindestens fünfjährige Besitz einer Aufenthaltserlaubnis zum Zeitpunkt der Behördenentscheidung vorliegt.
VAB A.35, S. 402-404
The regulation also applies to children of persons with subsidiary protection. The requirement is a residence permit under certain sections. You then have the same entitlement to a settlement permit.
§ 35 findet auch Anwendung auf Familienangehörige von subsidiär Schutzberechtigten, die im Besitz einer Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 36a Abs. 1 S. 1 2. Alt. bzw. § 34 sind.
VAB A.35, S. 402-404
Contact & Responsibility
Find responsible department
The responsible department depends on your surname and/or nationality.
Report waiting time
Help the community by sharing your recent experience with appointment wait times.
Comments
Ratings and reviews from the community.
Something wrong? Help us improve this page.
Apply for Settlement Permit for Children (from Age 16)
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.