Reviewed on March 3, 2026
Apply for settlement permit for EU Blue Card holders
With the EU Blue Card, you can apply for an unlimited right of residence in Germany.
At a glance
How do you obtain a settlement permit with the EU Blue Card?
Are you working in Germany with an EU Blue Card? Then you can apply for a settlement permit. This is an unlimited right of residence. The authority must grant it to you if you meet all the requirements.
How long you must have worked depends on your German language skills. With basic German skills (level A1), you need at least 27 months of employment. With sufficient German skills (level B1), 21 months are already enough. In both cases, you must still be carrying out this employment. You must also have paid contributions to the statutory pension insurance for the entire period. Contributions to a comparable private insurance scheme are also accepted.
Further requirements apply. Your livelihood must be secured through your own income. You may not receive Bürgergeld or social assistance, nor be entitled to them. The income of your spouse or partner can be additionally taken into account. You also need German health insurance, sufficient living space, and a main residence in Berlin. You must demonstrate basic knowledge of law, society, and life in Germany. Previous convictions or ongoing investigation proceedings against you can prevent the permit from being granted. Note: while an investigation is ongoing, the State Office for Immigration (Landesamt für Einwanderung) (LEA) may not process your application.
You submit the application online as "Niederlassungserlaubnis für Fachkräfte" (settlement permit for skilled workers). Prepare all documents as PDFs if possible. JPG, JPEG and PNG are also allowed. A single file may be a maximum of 7 MB. All files together must not exceed 100 MB. Before submitting, you pay the processing fee by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or PayPal. You can pause the application at any time and continue later. After submission you receive a PDF confirmation. This confirmation shows that your existing residence title remains valid. However, this does not apply to a Schengen visa (C-visa). Be sure to save and print the confirmation.
The LEA reviews your application and gets back to you as quickly as possible. Due to the high volume of applications, this can take some time. If your application is decided positively, you receive an appointment. Bring all documents listed in the invitation letter in original to the appointment.
Requirements
How to apply
Check whether you meet all the requirements: at least 21 or 27 months of employment with an EU Blue Card (depending on your German skills), secured livelihood, no ongoing investigation proceedings, and main residence in Berlin.
Prepare all documents as PDF, JPG, JPEG, or PNG — each file maximum 7 MB, all files together maximum 100 MB.
Submit your application online as "Niederlassungserlaubnis für Fachkräfte" (settlement permit for skilled workers) and pay the processing fee by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or PayPal.
Save and print the PDF confirmation — it shows that your existing residence title remains valid (does not apply to a Schengen/C-visa).
Wait for the response from the State Office for Immigration (LEA) — this can take some time due to the high volume of applications.
At the appointment, bring all documents listed in the invitation letter in original.
Done! The LEA must grant you the settlement permit — an unlimited right of residence — if you meet all the requirements.
Processing fee (in the online application) for Turkish nationals up to age 24
- Issuance fee (at the appointment) for Turkish nationals up to age 2456,50 EUR
- Processing fee (in the online application) for Turkish nationals from age 2413,80 EUR
- Issuance fee (at the appointment) for Turkish nationals from age 2413,80 EUR
- Processing fee (in the online application)23,00 EUR
- Issuance fee (at the appointment)23,00 EUR
Good to know
Your electronic residence card contains the note "former holder of an EU Blue Card". This means you keep your right to move to other EU countries. This right arises from EU law and does not expire with the settlement permit.
Er verdeutlicht, dass der Ausländer das Wanderungsrecht aus Art. 21 der Richtlinie (EU) 2021/1883 ableiten kann. Dieses Recht knüpft an den vorherigen Besitz der Blauen Karte an und entsteht kraft Unionsrecht. Es erlischt nicht durch den Wegfall der Blauen Karte mit der Erteilung der Niederlassungserlaubnis.
VAB A.18c, S. 196-198
For your settlement permit, the authority does not need approval from the Federal Employment Agency. The authority MUST grant you the settlement permit if you meet all requirements. The authority has no discretion.
Liegen die Erteilungsvoraussetzungen vor, ist eine Zustimmung der Arbeitsagentur ebenfalls nicht erforderlich. Es besteht ein Anspruch auf Erteilung. Ein Ermessen der Behörde ist nicht eröffnet.
VAB A.18c, S. 196-198
As a former holder of an EU Blue Card, you retain the privileges for family reunification. This also applies after the settlement permit has been granted. In addition, more favorable rules apply to you regarding the expiry of the residence title.
Da das Recht aus der Blauen Karte weiterhin besteht, gelten in diesen Fällen - auch aus systematischen Gründen - die Privilegierungen aus den §§ 30 Abs. 1 S. 3 Nr. 5, 51 Abs. 10 fort.
VAB A.18c, S. 196-198
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Apply for settlement permit for EU Blue Card holders
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.