Updated on April 27, 2026
Apply for Permanent Residence Card for Family Members of EU (except Germany) and EEA Citizens
Have you lived in Germany with your EU/EEA family member for 5 years? This is how you get your permanent residence card.
At a glance
How do you obtain a permanent residence card as a family member of an EU/EEA citizen?
Are you a family member of a citizen from the EU or EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) who has the right to free movement? Then, after as a rule 5 years of residence, you have a right to a permanent residence card.
With the permanent residence card, the authority confirms your permanent right of residence in Germany.
Important: Family members of Germans usually do not receive a permanent residence card under the Freedom of Movement Act (Freizügigkeitsgesetz). However, they can obtain a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) under the Residence Act if they themselves are not EU/EEA citizens.
There is one exception: if the German has acquired a right to free movement through a joint stay with the family member in another Member State. A short stay is not sufficient for this.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You can obtain the permanent residence card if you are not an EU/EEA citizen yourself and your family member holds the citizenship of an EU Member State or of Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Norway.
- Family members of Germans usually do not receive a permanent residence card under the Freedom of Movement Act. There is only one exception: if the German has acquired a right to free movement through a joint stay in another Member State.
Additional requirements
- You must have lawfully resided uninterruptedly for 5 years in Germany together with your EU/EEA family member. During this time, the right to free movement must have been continuously exercised, for example as an employee, self-employed person, or with sufficient own financial resources. Lawful residence alone is not sufficient.
- You must have your main residence registered in Berlin.
- You must appear in person at the immigration office and schedule an appointment in advance via the contact form with departments F 1 and F 2.
How to apply
Schedule an appointment via the contact form with departments F 1 and F 2 at the immigration office
Gather all required documents: completed application, valid passport, biometric passport photo, your previous residence card, and the proof of the right to free movement for the past 5 years
If needed, obtain an extended register of residents extract if you have not yet lived in Berlin for 5 years
Attend the appointment in person and bring all documents
Submit your application for the permanent residence card
Done! If you meet the requirements, the authority will issue your permanent residence card
Since 01.05.2025 only digital photos are accepted. Learn more
Applicants aged 24 and over
- Applicants up to age 2427,60 EUR
- Digital passport photo at the self-service terminal on site (additional)6,00 EUR
Good to know
With the permanent right of residence, you may freely enter and depart. You may also receive social benefits. This does not harm your residence status.
Unabhängig von den Voraussetzungen des § 2 Abs. 2 können daueraufenthaltsberechtigte Unionsbürger und Drittstaatsangehörige sodann ein- und ausreisen oder sich hier niederlassen. Die Inanspruchnahme von öffentlichen Mitteln ist gänzlich unschädlich.
VAB C.4a, S. 763-765
The authority MUST issue your permanent residence card within 6 months. This is a fixed deadline. You have a right to it.
Familienangehörigen aus Drittstaaten wird auf Antrag innerhalb einer Frist von 6 Monaten eine Daueraufenthaltskarte ausgestellt.
VAB C.4a, S. 763-765
You may be abroad for up to 6 months per year. This does not interrupt your continuous residence. The period counts from the day of departure.
Abwesenheiten von bis zu insgesamt 6 Monaten pro Jahr gerechnet ab der Ausreise unterbrechen nicht den ständigen rechtmäßigen Aufenthalt
VAB C.4a, S. 763-765
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Apply for Permanent Residence Card for Family Members of EU (except Germany) and EEA Citizens
After the appointment, it takes approximately 4 weeks until the permanent residence card is issued as an electronic residence title and can be collected.
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