§ 7 AufenthG: Residence Permit

What is a residence permit?

The residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) is a residence title. A residence title allows you to live in Germany.

The residence permit is valid only for a certain time. This means: it is limited in time.

What purpose do you get it for?

There are different reasons for a residence permit, for example work, study, or family. These reasons are set out in later parts of the Residence Act.

The authority issues you the residence permit exactly for one of these reasons named in the law.

Residence permit for another reason

In special, justified cases, the authority can also give you a residence permit for another reason. This applies even if this reason is not specifically stated in the law.

This is a discretionary rule (Kann-Regelung). The authority decides this itself on a case-by-case basis. This means: you do not have a fixed legal entitlement to this special residence permit.

Important: with this special residence permit, you are generally not allowed to work — this is prohibited. However, the authority can additionally allow you to work, under section 4a paragraph 1 of the Residence Act. This, too, is a discretionary decision (Kann-Entscheidung) by the authority.

How long is the residence permit valid?

The authority must limit the residence permit in time. This means: it must set a time limit. This is mandatory, not at the authority's discretion.

How long this time limit is depends on the purpose of your stay.

Shorter time limit afterward

Sometimes an important requirement later ceases to apply. This can be a requirement that was important for:

• the granting of the residence permit,
• the extension of the residence permit, or
• the setting of its period of validity.

If such a requirement ceases to apply, the authority can also shorten the time limit afterward. Afterward means: subsequently, so also after the residence permit has already been issued. Here too, the authority decides case by case.