How to Get Permanent Residence in Germany

A permanent residency permit allows international students to live in Germany for an indefinite amount of time. It is not the same as obtaining German citizenship and a German passport.  It offers far greater protection than a temporary residence permit.

A permanent resident permit and other forms of temporary residency permits are available in Germany. In certain cases, permanent residence can be obtained in just two years. This applies to anyone who completed their studies in Germany and then lived and worked there for two years.

Moreover, those who are married to German citizens are eligible to apply for PR permits after 3 years of marriage. Furthermore, candidates with highly skilled specialists in a particular technological or scientific field can also be expedited for a permanent residence permit. In addition, candidates have the opportunity to apply for the EC long-term residence permit, commonly referred to as an EU resident permit, if they have resided in an EU nation for five years or longer.

There are various benefits of getting permanent residence in Germany. Some top reasons are given below.

• Work in Germany without Restrictions - As a permanent resident of Germany, you have the right to work in the country without any restrictions. This opens up a multitude of job opportunities across various industries and professions, providing stability and security in your career. 

• Better Credit Rating - With permanent residency status, financial institutions view you more favourably, leading to better terms and conditions for loans, mortgages, and other financial products. A stable residency status enhances your creditworthiness, making it easier to access credit facilities and secure favourable interest rates. 

• Travel Permit - Permanent residency in Germany grants you the freedom to travel within the Schengen Area without needing a visa for short stays. This facilitates easy travel to various European countries. 

• EU Permanent Residence Permit—Permanent residency in Germany provides a pathway to obtaining an EU permanent residence permit. This permit offers additional benefits, such as the right to reside in any EU member state, access to social and health services, and the ability to bring family members to live with you in Germany or elsewhere in the EU. 

• Guaranteed Social Security- As a permanent resident, you are entitled to various social security benefits the German government provides, including healthcare, unemployment benefits, pension schemes, and family support. These benefits ensure a high standard of living and financial stability for you and your family members. 

• Apply for Financial Aid to Study at German Universities - Permanent residents in Germany are eligible to apply for scholarships and grants to pursue higher education at German universities. This financial support makes education more accessible and affordable, enabling individuals to achieve their academic and career goals.

• Become a German National - After holding permanent residency for a certain period and meeting additional criteria, such as language proficiency and integration requirements, you may be eligible to apply for German citizenship. Becoming a German national offered numerous privileges, including the right to vote, unrestricted access to employment opportunities, and enhanced political and social rights.

The German government provides different types of residence permits for candidates.

Foreign nationals enrolling in German colleges and universities are eligible for this kind of temporary residency visa. In order to get this permission, you will need to present documentation proving your enrollment in university and your ability to cover expenses for your stay in Germany. Although the student residence permit allows you to remain in Germany while studying, there are some restrictions on working hours if you choose to work as a student.

You could be qualified for a job seeker's permit if you are searching for jobs in Germany. With this permission, you can stay in Germany for a maximum of 18 months or until you find employment in your profession. However, you must document your financial resources and employment search to be eligible for this permission. After completing your studies, if you choose to remain in Germany but have not secured employment by the time you graduate, you will also be granted this kind of permission.

International candidates who have received a job offer to work in Germany must have this residency permit. Depending on the length of the contract, this permit enables you to remain in Germany and continue working for the sponsoring firm. You must present documentation of your employment contract and have a valid work visa in order to be granted this permission.

Foreign nationals who already have family members residing in Germany are eligible for this kind of residency visa. The family members must be able to attest to their relationship with you and give you financial assistance.

Foreign nationals who satisfy certain qualifications and have resided in Germany for a set period of time are eligible for this sort of residence permit. You must have been a resident of Germany for at least 5 years (or 3 years if you are married to a German citizen) to be eligible for this visa. Moreover, you must be able to show documentation of your work, financial stability, and proficiency in the German language. You are allowed to live in Germany indefinitely if you obtain this permission. Additionally, after 2 years of possessing a work-related visa, international students who have graduated from German universities are also eligible to apply for permanent residency.

The EU Blue card is a relatively new form of residence card that allows non-EU workers to become residents without a visa. It is reserved for foreign nationals who satisfy certain conditions and have a work offer in Germany.

To apply for an EU Blue card, you need to fulfil specific language criteria, demonstrate that you have the money to sustain yourself, and have a valid germany work visa to be eligible for this permit. Moreover, candidates must have a university degree to apply for it.

In recent years, the demand for EU Blue Cards has been increasing. However, it is not a quick or easy solution to get permanent residency in Germany. It will allow you to stay for up to 4-year by using the EU Blue Card. After that, you have to apply for permanent residence in Germany.

Once you obtain an EU Blue Card, you may relocate to another EU nation after an 18-month residency requirement in Germany.

Also, Read: Cost of Studying in Germany 

Candidates who have permanent residence in Germany have the right to stay in Germany permanently.

If you have a permanent residence, you should apply for naturalisation. It is the next step in getting German citizenship from permanent residency. However, to apply for naturalisation, you must live in Germany for 5 years as a permanent resident. The duration has been reduced from 8 to 5 years as of the 2024 law.

How much time you need to stay in Germany to get Permanent Residence in Germany depends on your present residential status. You can hold a German Permanent Residence Permit, in case- 

• After a duration of 4 years, if you are a skilled worker or a researcher.

• After the period of 3 years, provided you’re self-employed or a family member whose nationality is German.

• After the gap of 33 months, if you already have a BlueCard of EU. If you have an excellent command of the German language, you can easily gain PR after 21 months of your stay in Germany!

• After 2 years, in the situation, if you’re working while holding a German University Degree or are done with vocational training,

• After the time duration of 5 years, if you left your home country or are a freelancer by profession. This period can be decreased by two years if you have a firm grip on the German language and are stable enough to earn your living.

Also, Read: Part Time Work Options in Germany 

When it comes to the requirements while applying for residency, the below-mentioned requirements can clear this doubt.

• You should be financially sound enough to support the survival of your family and yourself without any public funds.

• You should have sufficient living space for you and your family.

• You need to pay contributions to the statutory pension insurance fund during your stay or working period in Germany.

• During your stay in Germany, you should have worked in a position that is equivalent to your academics.

• You should have a good command of German for your daily life.

• You need to clear a test known as “Life in Germany” to prove that you have a sound knowledge about the well about Germany and its culture.

There are some documents and requirements to apply for permanent residence in Germany that you can check further.

Below, you can check the list of documents required to obtain a German Permanent Residence. 

• Valid Passport

• The application form is completed and duly signed by the applicant.

• Current passport-size photograph.

• German health insurance.

• Evidence of social security contributions.

• Financial statements.

• Recognised certificate as evidence of knowledge about the German Language.

• In case you’re employed, you also need to carry the Contract of Employment with salary slips and a certificate of employment.

• If you are self-employed, bring your audit report and the latest tax assessment.

• A lease from your landlord or a certificate of registration of address as proof of your primary residence in Germany.

• Germany University Degree or Vocational Certificate

• If married to a German citizen, carry your marriage certificate as well.

After knowing about the requirements and benefits of gaining permanent residence in Germany, the next question arises of how to apply for it to obtain permanent residence. So, below, you will find the process of applying for permanent residence and becoming a resident of Germany.

Step 1 - Visit the Immigration office to make an appointment; this should be where you initially got the residence permit.

Step 2 - Fill out the application form, which will be provided to you by the concerned person.

Step 3 - Collect the required documents as mentioned on the form.

Step 4 - After filling out the form and collecting your documents, now move to the Immigration Officer with your application form and documents. Get an appointment for further process.

Step 5 - You need to face an interview at the time of appointment. If you’re applying as a German National spouse, your spouse should also be there with you at the time of the interview.

Step 6 - Now, you need to pay the application fee, which will depend on your current location and type of visa.

After submitting their documents and application form, candidates need to wait sometime. Generally, candidates receive the Residence Permit in Germany around 3 to 4 weeks after appearing in the interview. During this time, the Immigration Officer will check your application and submitted documents and make the final decision.

While applying for a German Residence Permit, international students have to pay a certain amount, which can be between €135 and €200.

Also, Read: Summer Intake in Germany

Some people decide to apply to become German citizens with German passports to advance from holding a permanent residence permit. This might entail obtaining dual citizenship or renouncing your previous citizenship as of 2023. However, new legislation that will take effect in 2024 will permit dual citizenship.

In contrast to countries that prohibit multiple citizenship, it has long been feasible to hold dual citizenship in Germany, so long as the other nation permits it. Although having dual citizenship is legal, but the possession of two passports is not widely promoted by their government. However, dual citizenship is typical among EU individuals who have naturalised in Germany. Refugees from nations where renunciation of citizenship is not an option are also allowed.

Moreover, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian citizens are among the nations that forbid dual citizenship. The rights of citizenship or nationality must be rejected by citizens of those nations who want to become naturalised German citizens. In addition, you must complete the procedure for obtaining German citizenship to apply for dual citizenship. Typically, this necessitates obtaining a permanent residency visa for a minimum of 8 years.

There is a way through which foreign nationals provide German citizenship, which is called the naturalisation process. However, it is complicated to apply for Naturalisation as you need to provide all required documents, such as evidence of the German language and knowledge of the legal system. Candidates who know German and know the country's legal system can only apply for Naturalisation.

Check your eligibility for Naturalisation and know if you are eligible for Naturalisation or not. 

• Possessed a residence permit and lived in Germany for 5 years. 

• You can support your family and live freely without the need for social security or employment insurance.

• Proof of proficiency in German (B1) and familiarity with the legal system.

To apply for Naturalisation, you can follow the steps below.

Step 1 - Go to the official government website to apply for naturalisation.

Step 2 – Check the list of documents required to submit with the application form and collect all of them.

Step 3 - Fill in all the details required in the application form and submit it along with the documents.  If you are under 16, your parents or guardian must apply for it on your behalf.

Step 4—Now, pay the Naturalisation Application fee, which is €255.00. The cost per child to naturalise with their parents is €51.

Step 5 – Wait for the response. After some days, you will receive mail or call from authorities for an interview.

Step 6—Prepare for it and appear in the interview on time. During the interview, you will be questioned about your reasons for seeking German citizenship and your familiarity with German society, language, and culture. You will also be required to take a citizenship exam and a German language test if you haven't previously.

Step 7 – If you clear the interview, then you will be granted German Citizenship. After that, you will receive a naturalisation certificate, and you can apply for a German passport or ID card.

Also, Read: Cost of Living in Germany for Indian Students  

At the end of this blog, you will be aware of every detail of permanent residence in Germany. As you read above, various types of residence permits are available in Germany. Candidates can apply for them according to their requirements, but before that, they must check eligibility and the documents required to apply.  By following the procedure mentioned above or contacting MOEC Counsellors, candidates can easily apply for PR in Germany and get it on time.

We hope you liked reading the blog. If you would like to get a deeper insight into how to get permanent residency in Germany, we encourage you to speak with our team of expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). Our counsellors will provide you with guidance throughout your study abroad. Get help with the application process, SOPs, and filing for a visa. Visit us and get one-to-one counselling, or avail yourself of free video counselling via our website. We will be happy to help you, so please do not hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.

1. What happens if you overstay your visa in Germany?

The German Visa is permitted for a certain period of time that will ultimately depend on your study level or job contract. It is important to remember that your visa validity identifies that you are allowed to live in Germany legally only for that time. If you overstay on your visa in Germany, then it is illegal, and you could be deported to your home country or permanently banned in Germany.

2. Can you travel with a German Residence Permit?

You can travel freely anywhere in Europe with a German Residence permit. However, it is recommended that you check the travel rules for a particular country.

3. How long does it take to get a residence permit in Germany?

Your permanent residency permit will normally be processed in 3 to 4 weeks from the time of your interview if all of your paperwork is correct and submitted and the embassy finds you suitable for it.

4. How much is a German Residence Permit?

To get the German Residence Permit, candidates have to pay between €135 and €200. This amount may differ based on factors such as location, permit type, etc.

5. Is it easy to get permanent residence in Germany?

Getting a permanent residence in Germany might be simple if you satisfy all requirements, have all the appropriate paperwork, and pass the interview.