Reviewed on March 3, 2026
Extend residence permit for Turkish workers and family members (ARB 1/80)
Extend your residence permit as a Turkish worker or family member in Berlin without hassle.
At a glance
How do you extend your residence permit as a Turkish worker?
Are you a Turkish worker, or a family member of a Turkish worker? Then you can extend your residence permit under § 4 paragraph 2 of the Residence Act (AufenthG). This residence permit is based on Decision No. 1/80 of the EEC/Turkey Association Council (in short: ARB 1/80) of 19 September 1980.
Extension is only possible in certain cases. Your spouse or one of your parents has worked for three years without interruption since you moved here or were born. In addition, you lived together as a family during this time. Or: one parent has worked a total of three years and you have completed vocational training in Germany. Or: you yourself have been working with the same employer for three years. Or: you have been working in the same occupation for four years.
You must meet certain conditions. Your residence permit must still be valid. The card or the label in your passport must list § 4 paragraph 2 AufenthG as the legal basis. In addition, your main residence must be in Berlin.
For the extension, you need an appointment with the responsible Department M 3 at the LEA (State Office for Immigration). Submit your appointment request via the contact form. Send the request, if possible, 8 weeks before your current residence permit expires. You must appear in person at the appointment.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You can apply for the extension if you hold a still-valid residence permit under § 4 paragraph 5 AufenthG (or § 4 paragraph 5 in the previous version) and your main residence is in Berlin. The legal basis is shown on your residence title card or the label in your passport.
Additional requirements
- You must appear in person with an appointment. Submit your appointment request via the contact form to Department M 3 at the LEA — if possible, 8 weeks before your current residence title expires.
How to apply
Submit your appointment request via the contact form to Department M 3 at the LEA (State Office for Immigration) — if possible, 8 weeks before your current residence permit expires
Gather all required documents: valid passport, current biometric passport photo, and registration confirmation (or rental contract together with a move-in confirmation)
Add to your documents if you are an employee: employer's certificate (no older than 14 days), proof of your net earnings over the last 6 months in original, and insurance history from your health insurance fund or the German Pension Insurance
Inform yourself in good time before your appointment on the LEA's website about the current rules for digital transmission of the passport photo (new regulations apply from 01.05.2025)
Appear in person at the appointment and bring all documents with you
Done! You will receive your extended residence permit under § 4 paragraph 2 AufenthG if you meet all the requirements
Since 01.05.2025 only digital photos are accepted. Learn more
Extension from age 24
- Extension up to age 2427,60 EUR
- Creation of a digital passport photo at the self-service terminal on site6,00 EUR
Exemptions
- Persons who present current proof of receipt of benefits under SGB II or SGB XII
- Persons who present current proof of receipt of benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act
Good to know
You may become self-employed at any stage of ARB 1/80. This applies even if you are still bound to a specific employer. The authority must permit self-employment for you.
Merke: In beiden Fällen ist die selbstständige Tätigkeit zu erlauben.
VAB A.4, S. 53-57
You can also receive your residence permit under ARB 1/80 in addition to a settlement permit. This is an exception to the general rule. This way you secure the advantages of both titles.
Aufenthaltserlaubnisse nach § 4 Abs. 2, die ein Aufenthaltsrecht für türkische Staatsangehörige nach ARB 1/80 (deklaratorisch, vgl. E.Türk.1) bescheinigen, können auch neben einem unbefristeten Titel ausgestellt werden.
VAB A.4, S. 53-57
Your residence permit always states "Daueraufenthalt nach ARB 1/80" (permanent residence under ARB 1/80). This applies regardless of the validity period. This note shows that you are entitled to a permanent right of residence.
ist zudem jede Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 4 Abs. 2 unabhängig von ihrer Geltungsdauer und unabhängig davon, ob der Anspruch auf Art. 6 oder Art. 7 ARB 1/80 fußt mit der Anmerkung: "Daueraufenthalt nach ARB 1/80" zu versehen.
VAB A.4, S. 53-57
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Extend residence permit for Turkish workers and family members (ARB 1/80)
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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