Apply for Settlement Permit for Family Members of German Nationals
Secure your unlimited settlement permit after 3 years of family cohabitation with a German national.
At a glance
How do you get a settlement permit as a family member of a German national?
You have been living with a German spouse, registered life partner of the same sex, minor child or parent in a family unit for at least 3 years? Then you have a statutory right to an unlimited settlement permit. The authority must grant it to you if you meet the requirements.
You submit your application exclusively online. Use the Quick-Check beforehand to verify whether your application is likely to be successful. After the online application, you receive a PDF confirmation. This keeps your current residence title valid beyond its previous expiry date.
The State Office for Immigration (LEA) reviews your application and contacts you. If the application is approved, you will receive an appointment for a personal visit.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You have held a residence title continuously for at least 3 years (e.g. national visa, residence permit or EU Blue Card) and have maintained an uninterrupted family unit with a German spouse, registered life partner of the same sex, minor child or parent for at least 3 years.
Additional requirements
- Your livelihood and that of your close family members is secured. As a rule, you must not receive benefits such as citizen's income (Buergergeld) or social assistance. The income of the spouse or registered life partner can be taken into account. Exception in case of permanent illness (specialist medical certificate).
- You have health insurance in Germany (statutory or comparable private). Foreign health insurance is generally not sufficient.
- You have sufficient German language skills at level B1 of the CEFR. If you already held a residence permit because of your German family member before 06.09.2013, level A1 is sufficient. Exception in case of permanent illness (specialist medical certificate).
- There must be no grounds for expulsion. Even fines can prevent the granting. Your main residence is in Berlin.
How to apply
Use the Quick-Check to verify whether you meet the requirements
Submit the online application and upload all required documents
Pay the processing fee by credit card or PayPal and save the PDF confirmation
Wait for the review by the State Office for Immigration (LEA). The LEA will contact you and request additional documents if needed.
Go to the appointment and bring all documents listed in the invitation letter in the original
Done! The authority must grant you the settlement permit if you meet the requirements
Processing fee (in online application)
- Granting fee (at personal appointment)56,50 EUR
Good to know
For the three-year period, every residence permit counts. The legal basis of your previous residence title does not matter. A residence permit under Section 30 is also credited.
Die Rechtsgrundlage für die Erteilung der Aufenthaltserlaubnis ist ebenso wenig von Belang wie der ursprüngliche Aufenthaltszweck.
VAB A.28, S. 365-372
Unlike with the regular settlement permit under Section 9, you do not need to prove basic knowledge of the legal and social order. You only need sufficient German skills at B1 level.
Aus dem Umstand, dass sich § 9 Abs. 2 S. 2 bis 5 sowohl auf das Erfordernis ausreichender Deutschkenntnisse nach § 9 Abs. 2 S. 1 Nr. 7 als auch auf das Erfordernis von Grundkenntnissen der Rechts- und Gesellschaftsordnung nach § 9 Abs. 2 S. 1 Nr. 8 bezieht, folgt ausweislich der Gesetzesbegründung nicht, dass im Rahmen von § 28 Abs. 2 auch Grundkenntnisse der Rechts- und Gesellschaftsordnung nachzuweisen wären.
VAB A.28, S. 365-372
Did you have a national visa for family reunification? Then this time is credited toward the three-year period. The condition is that you were in Germany during this time.
Die Zeit des Besitzes eines nationalen Visums zum Familiennachzug ist nach § 6 Absatz 3 Satz 3 dagegen anzurechnen, soweit sich der Inhaber währenddessen im Bundesgebiet aufgehalten hat.
VAB A.28, S. 365-372
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Apply for Settlement Permit for Family Members of German Nationals
If your application is approved, you will receive an appointment. At the appointment, you will receive a written confirmation of your lawful residence until the ordered residence title is handed over. After the appointment, it takes at least 4 weeks until the settlement permit is issued as an electronic residence title and can be collected.