Updated on April 27, 2026
Apply for Settlement Permit for Persons with Subsidiary Protection or Federal Admission Commitment
Do you have subsidiary protection or a federal admission commitment? After 5 years, this is how you obtain your unlimited settlement permit.
At a glance
How do you obtain a settlement permit as a person granted subsidiary protection or as a holder of a residence permit on the basis of a federal admission commitment?
Has the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) granted you subsidiary protection? Or do you hold a residence permit on the basis of a federal admission commitment? Then, after 5 years of lawful residence, you can obtain an unlimited settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) if you meet the requirements.
Do you hold a humanitarian residence permit for another reason? Then you can find your possible settlement permits under "Further information".
This is how the procedure works: Before applying, please observe these notes. First use the Quick Checks under "Apply online now". With these, you can quickly and free of charge determine whether your application is likely to succeed. Check once again whether you meet all requirements and have all required documents. The online application is extensive – you can interrupt filling it out at any time, save your progress, and continue later.
Then submit the online application "Settlement permit for persons entitled to asylum and recognised refugees". Have your documents ready, ideally as PDFs. You can also photograph and upload them during the application process. Permitted formats are PDF, JPG, JPEG, and PNG. A single file may be at most 7 MB, all files together at most 100 MB. Before submitting the application, you must pay the processing fee.
At the end, you will receive a PDF confirmation. This certifies that your current residence title remains valid – unless you only hold a Schengen visa (C visa) for a short stay. Be sure to save the confirmation and print it out if possible.
The LEA will then review your application and contact you. If needed, additional documents will be requested. If your application is reviewed positively, you will receive an appointment for a personal interview. Due to the high number of applications, this may take some time. Bring all documents listed in the invitation letter to your appointment in their original form.
Requirements
Who qualifies?
- You can obtain the settlement permit if you are of legal age and have held a residence permit under § 23 (2) AufenthG (federal admission commitment) or under § 25 (2) AufenthG (subsidiary protection) for at least 5 years. Periods of an asylum procedure are usually counted for up to 2 years. Periods during which only a tolerated stay (Duldung) was issued cannot be counted.
Additional requirements
- Your livelihood and that of your close family members (spouse or partner and children) must be secured by your own income. You must not receive benefits under SGB II or XII from a Jobcenter or social welfare office, nor be entitled to such benefits. In a marriage or same-sex partnership, your spouse or partner can also provide proof of income. With the Quick Check Livelihood Calculation, you can verify this in advance free of charge. In the case of permanent physical, mental, or emotional illness, this requirement may be waived – you need a specialist medical certificate for this.
- You must have adequate health insurance in Germany – either statutory or comparable private insurance. Foreign health insurance is generally not sufficient.
- You must have paid contributions to the statutory pension insurance for at least 60 months. Contributions for entitlement to comparable benefits from a private insurance company or pension institution are also accepted. Career interruptions due to childcare or home care are counted accordingly if you were in gainful employment before or after. Self-employed persons can also prove adequate private retirement provision through their own assets or business assets. In a marriage or partnership, your spouse or partner can also provide the proof.
- No proof of retirement provision is required if you have completed your 67th year of life or have a physical, mental, or emotional illness or disability certified by a specialist.
- There must be no danger to public security or order from you. Even fines or ongoing investigations can prevent issuance. You must not pose a danger to the free democratic basic order and must not be involved in politically or religiously motivated violence.
- You need adequate German language skills at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). These are particularly considered proven by successful completion of an integration course. In the case of permanent illness, the language requirement may be waived – you need a specialist medical certificate for this.
- You need basic knowledge of the legal and social order and the way of life in Germany. This is particularly considered proven if you have successfully completed an integration course or the orientation course Living in Germany, obtained a school or vocational qualification in Germany, or completed at least one year of school-based or vocational training in Germany. In the case of permanent illness, this can also be waived with a specialist medical certificate.
- You need adequate housing for yourself and the family members living with you in the same household.
- You must have your main residence in Berlin. A secondary residence is not sufficient.
- You need a current email address, as the LEA will contact you via email. Also check your spam folder regularly.
How to apply
First use the Quick Checks under "Apply online now" to check whether your application is likely to be successful
Submit the online application "Settlement permit for persons entitled to asylum and recognised refugees" and have your documents ready as PDF, JPG, JPEG, or PNG
Upload all required documents: passport copies, copy of your residence title, proof of health insurance, housing documents, retirement provision documents, and depending on your life situation proof of livelihood as well as language and integration certificates
Pay the processing fee and submit your application
Save the PDF confirmation of your application and print it if possible
Wait for the review by the State Office for Immigration and submit additional documents if requested
Attend the personal interview appointment and bring all documents listed in the invitation letter in their original form. Done! If your application is reviewed positively, you will receive your unlimited settlement permit
Good to know
The authority decides on your settlement permit at its discretion. You do not have an automatic entitlement. This distinguishes you from recognised refugees, who have a legal entitlement.
Anders als bei der Entscheidung nach § 9 handelt es sich bei der Entscheidung über die Niederlassungserlaubnis nach § 26 Abs. 4 um eine Ermessensentscheidung.
VAB A.26, S. 348-357
When you receive the settlement permit, the reunification of your family is facilitated. This applies specifically to persons with former subsidiary protection under Section 25(2), second alternative.
der Nachzug zum Inhaber einer Niederlassungserlaubnis nach § 26 Abs. 4 privilegiert, wenn dieser zuvor im Besitz einer Aufenthaltserlaubnis nach § 25 Abs. 2, 2. Alt. (subsidiärer Schutz) war.
VAB A.26, S. 348-357
You cannot obtain a passport from your home country? Then the authority must exercise its discretion in your favour. Together with the settlement permit, you will also receive a travel document for foreigners.
Soweit die Voraussetzungen des § 5 AufenthV erfüllt sind (Passlosigkeit und Unzumutbarkeit der Passbeschaffung) ist das Ermessen für den Versagungsgrund § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 4 allerdings zugunsten des Antragstellers auszuüben. Hier ist mit Erteilung der Niederlassungserlaubnis ein Reiseausweis für Ausländer auszustellen.
VAB A.26, S. 348-357
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Apply for Settlement Permit for Persons with Subsidiary Protection or Federal Admission Commitment
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.