Settlement permit for holders of a residence permit for international law, humanitarian or political reasons

As the holder of a residence permit for international law, humanitarian or political reasons, you can obtain a permanent residence permit (so-called settlement permit) after five years under certain conditions.

If you arrived in Germany before the age of 18, please also find out about the settlement permit for underage children and young adults, which is subject to less stringent requirements (see "Issuing a settlement permit for underage children").

If you are in possession of a residence permit as a person entitled to asylum, a recognized refugee under the Geneva Refugee Convention or a resettlement refugee, you can obtain a settlement permit under simplified conditions (see service "Issuing a settlement permit for holders of a residence permit as recognized persons entitled to asylum and refugees").

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of means of subsistence (e.g. proof of income, employment contract, pension certificate, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child benefit, maintenance payments) or proof of illness or disability that prevents independent means of subsistence (e.g. by means of a specialist medical opinion, proof of residential care).
• Proof of health insurance cover (e.g. confirmation of health insurance cover or insurance policy)
• Proof of pension contributions (e.g. pension information from Deutsche Rentenversicherung or proof of entitlement to comparable benefits from another insurance or pension institution) or proof of an illness or disability that prevents independent pension provision (e.g. by means of a specialist medical opinion, proof of institutionalization).
• Professional license (e.g. license to practice medicine, professional permit) if practicing a regulated profession
• Proof of knowledge of the German language at level A1 or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (e.g. language certificate, German school, training or university certificates or proof of successful participation in an integration course) or proof of illness, disability or other reasons that make learning the language permanently impossible or unreasonable (e.g. by means of a specialist medical opinion, proof of residential care).Proof of basic knowledge of the legal and social order in Germany (e.g. certificate or certificate of successful participation in an integration course) or proof of illness, disability or other reasons that make learning the language impossible or unreasonable in the long term (e.g. through a specialist medical opinion, proof of residential care).
• Proof of basic knowledge of the legal and social order in Germany (e.g. certificate or certificate of successful participation in an integration course) or proof of illness, disability or other reasons that make learning the language impossible or unreasonable in the long term (e.g. by means of a specialist medical opinion, proof of residential care).
• Proof of sufficient living space (rental or purchase contract that provides information about the living space)
• If you were obliged to attend an integration course: Certificate of successful participation in the integration course

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Immigration Office may require less or further proof.

Free of charge

Application deadline:

6 weeks to 8 weeks

The application should be received by the Aliens' Registration Office at least six to eight weeks before the current residence permit expires.

Period of validity:

The settlement permit is issued for an unlimited period. Only the electronic residence permit (eAT card) is issued for a limited period and must be renewed at the end of its validity.