Reviewed on March 3, 2026
Apply for residence permit under the right of return
Did you live in Germany as a child? Then you can return now!
At a glance
Can you return to Germany after years abroad?
Did you live in Germany as a child for a long time and then go abroad? Then you may have a right of return. That means you can apply for a residence permit to come back to Germany.
You must submit the application after your 15th birthday and before your 21st birthday. In addition, your departure from Germany must not be more than five years ago. In cases of particular hardship, the authority can waive these deadlines.
For you to have the right of return, further requirements must be met. Before your departure, you must have legally resided in Germany for at least eight years. You must also have attended school in Germany for at least six years. The authority can waive these conditions if you obtained a recognised school-leaving qualification in Germany or if there is a case of particular hardship. In addition, your livelihood must be secured. This is possible either through your own work or through another person who undertakes to provide support for at least five years.
Were you forced into marriage by violence or threats and were therefore unable to return to Germany? Then easier requirements apply for you. You must be able to credibly explain the circumstances of the forced marriage and the forced stay abroad. It must also be apparent that you can settle in Germany. You must submit the application within three months after the coercive situation ended. At the latest, however, five years after your departure from Germany.
Note: your main residence must be in Berlin to submit this application here. For an appointment, please contact the responsible department at the LEA via the contact form.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You can obtain the residence permit if you previously legally resided in Germany for at least eight years and attended school in Germany for at least six years. The eight-year rule can be waived if you obtained a recognised school-leaving qualification in Germany or if there is a case of particular hardship. The six-year school requirement can be waived in cases of particular hardship.
- Victims of forced marriage who were thereby prevented from returning to Germany can obtain the residence permit under easier conditions. You must be able to credibly explain the circumstances of the forced marriage and the forced stay abroad. It must also be apparent that you can settle in Germany on the basis of your education and your previous living conditions.
Additional requirements
- You must submit the application after your 15th birthday and before your 21st birthday. In addition, your departure must not be more than five years ago. These deadlines can be waived in cases of particular hardship. Victims of forced marriage must submit the application within three months after the end of the coercive situation, but at the latest five years after departure.
- Your livelihood must be secured — either through your own work or through another person who undertakes to pay maintenance for at least five years.
- Your main residence must be in Berlin and you must appear in person with an appointment at the responsible department at the LEA. You can request an appointment via the contact form.
How to apply
First check whether you meet the requirements: you must submit the application after your 15th and before your 21st birthday, your departure must not be more than five years ago, and you must have your main residence in Berlin
Gather all required documents: completed application for the issuance of a residence title, valid passport, biometric passport photo, all German school reports and school-leaving certificates (original and copy), and proof of your main residence in Berlin (registration confirmation or rental contract with move-in confirmation)
Also have proof ready to secure your livelihood: either documents on your planned own employment or documents from the third person who undertakes to pay maintenance for at least five years
Make an appointment with the responsible department at the LEA (State Office for Immigration) via the contact form
Attend the appointment in person and bring all documents in full
Done! You can obtain the residence permit if you meet all the requirements
Since 01.05.2025 only digital photos are accepted. Learn more
- Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Deutsch-Englisch-Französisch-Italienisch)
- Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Deutsch-Griechisch-Türkisch-Vietnamesisch)
- Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Deutsch-Spanisch-Portugiesisch-Russisch)
- Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Deutsch-Serbisch-Bosnisch)
- Prüfungsbericht (für Selbständige und Freiberufler)
Issuance of the residence permit under the right of return
- Extension of the residence permit under the right of return93,00 EUR
- Residence permit under the right of return for Turkish nationals (maximum)46,00 EUR
- Creation of a digital passport photo at the self-service terminal on site6,00 EUR
Good to know
Were you forced into marriage and did you attend school in Germany for six years? Then the authority must generally approve your return. It may only refuse in the case of serious reasons.
wird das von Abs. 2a Satz 1 eröffnete Ermessen auf ein „soll"-Ermessen reduziert, d.h. der Wiedereinreise ist abgesehen von Fällen besonders gewichtiger entgegenstehender öffentlicher Interessen – z.B. ...weggefallen... eines schweren Ausweisungsinteresses – zuzustimmen.
VAB A.37, S. 416
You do not have to prove the eight years of residence consecutively. You can add up different periods of residence. What matters is that you reach a total of eight lawful years.
Der rechtmäßige Voraufenthalt von mindestens acht Jahren muss nicht ununterbrochen angedauert haben. Die Aufenthaltszeiten sind summierbar.
VAB A.37, S. 416
Do you receive a widow's pension? This counts just like your own pension. This means you can also use the right to return as a widow or widower.
Das Tatbestandsmerkmal Rente umfasst nicht nur originär erworbene Renten, sondern auch die Witwenrente
VAB A.37, S. 416
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Apply for residence permit under the right of return
After the appointment, it takes approximately 4 weeks until the residence permit is issued as an electronic residence title and can be collected.
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