Highly qualified persons can choose a settlement permit directly

Are you highly qualified under Section 18c(3)? Then you can also receive a settlement permit directly. You have a choice between the residence permit under Section 38a and the settlement permit.

In-company training without approval from the Employment Agency

Do you want to do in-company training or further training? This is permitted without involvement of the Employment Agency. The authority has no discretion and must allow it.

Your old EU long-term residence permit remains valid

Your EU long-term residence permit from the other EU state will not be invalidated. You keep it because it does not expire immediately when you move to Germany.

Apply for Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents of Other EU States

You hold long-term resident status in another EU state and would like to move to Germany? Here is how.

At a glance

How do you get a residence permit as a long-term resident from another EU state?

You hold long-term resident status in another EU state? Then you will be granted a residence permit if you wish to stay in Germany for longer than three months.

Long-term residents are persons holding a residence title under EU Directive 2003/109/EC. This title bears the designation "Daueraufenthalt-EG" or "Daueraufenthalt-EU" (permanent residence-EC or permanent residence-EU) in the respective official language. An indefinite residence title without this designation is generally not sufficient.

Excluded are residence titles from Denmark or Ireland. These states do not apply the EU directive.

The residence permit allows you to work. The scope depends on the main purpose of your stay, for example studies, employment or self-employment. The general requirements such as a secured livelihood apply without restriction.

Requirements

Who qualifies?

You hold a residence title in another EU member state with the designation "Daueraufenthalt-EG" or "Daueraufenthalt-EU" (permanent residence-EC/EU) under EU Directive 2003/109/EC and wish to stay in Germany for longer than three months

Additional requirements

Residence titles from Denmark or Ireland are excluded, as these states do not apply the EU directive.
In exceptional cases, proof of status may be provided through a written confirmation from the authorities of the other EU state. The residence permit is then granted at discretion.
You need a secured livelihood, your main residence in Berlin and must appear in person with an appointment.

How to apply

Book an appointment at the State Office for Immigration via the contact form

Gather all necessary documents: passport with EU permanent residence title, passport photo, proof of livelihood and purpose of stay

Attend the appointment in person and bring all documents in original

Submit your application for the residence permit

Done! You will receive your residence permit and may pursue gainful employment

Since 01.05.2025 only digital photos are accepted. Learn more

100,00EUR

First-time issuance (adults)

Extension (adults)93,00 EUR
First-time issuance (minors)50,00 EUR
Extension (minors)46,50 EUR
Turkish nationals up to age 2422,80 EUR
Turkish nationals from age 2437,00 EUR
Digital passport photo at self-service terminal6,00 EUR

Good to know

After one year with a residence permit for employment, you may pursue any gainful activity. However, this only applies if your stay was predominantly for employment purposes.

Gem. § 38a Abs. 4 ist nach Ablauf von einem Jahr ab Erteilung der erstmaligen Erlaubnis zur Beschäftigung jede Erwerbstätigkeit zu gestatten.

VAB A.38a, S. 421-424

Your spouse, registered life partner and your minor unmarried children may enter visa-free. The requirement is that your family unit already existed in the other EU state.

sein ihn begleitender oder ihm nachziehender Ehegatte oder Lebenspartner sowie seine minderjährigen ledigen Kinder können gem. Art. 16 Abs. 3 RL 2003/109/EG unabhängig vom eigenen Besitz einer Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt-EU visafrei einreisen

VAB A.38a, S. 421-424

If your residence permit was granted under Section 38a, it cannot simply be revoked. Special protection rules apply to any withdrawal.

Wurde die Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 38a einmal erteilt, so kann sie nicht ohne weiteres aufgehoben , d.h. nachträglich zeitlich beschränkt, zurückgenommen oder widerrufen werden. Hier gelten besondere Beteiligungserfordernisse

VAB A.38a, S. 421-424

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