. Anyone who wants to apply for a permanent residence permit in Germany needs to fulfil certain basic conditions: 1. (Or the embassy of the EU country you want to work in), Your email address will not be published. 10117 Berlin The two basic requirements are: The Federal Republic of Germany is interested in attracting specialist professionals to work and live in Germany. The costs of a Germany Permanent Residence Permit depend on your situation. without recourse to the social assistance system of the host country) and fulfills some further requirements, as defined in Directive 2003/109/EC. There are three different categories of residency permits: A residency permit in the general employment category is based on the economic needs of the Federal Republic of Germany. There are various steps to take to navigate the application process successfully. A permanent residence permit allows individuals to stay in Germany for an unspecified period. Yes, with a Permanent Residence Permit you can travel freely in the EU. If you’re currently a student, completing an internship, or just here to visit a language course, you don’t qualify. In some instances, it is possible to gain a Permanent Residence Permit in just two years. Whilst it is allowed, it isn’t actively encouraged for individuals to have two passports. Let’s look at this example: In order to apply for Dual Citizenship, you need to follow the process for how to become a German citizen. You are permitted to be in employment and hold the necessary permit. This applies to those who have graduated from a German university and then lived and worked in Germany for two years. German permanent residence. However it isn't clear if an EU resident can start working in Germany without any additional documents and then apply for a residency if deciding to stay for more than three months. The fact you have a residency permit in another EU country has no effect. If you are a citizen of Australia, Canada, Israel, Korea (Republic), Japan, New Zealand or the United States of America, you can apply for your residence and work permit after arriving in Germany. It is not the same as becoming a German citizen and having a German passport, but it offers much more security than having a Temporary Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis). If you have a Schengen visa you can travel freely throughout the EU, but only work in the country for which you hold a residency (work) permit. be able to speak German), Sufficent funds to maintain themselves without claiming benefits, Fulfill the needs of the Federal Republic of Germany or fulfill specific regional or local needs, Be fully covered by your own capital or bank loan for which there is a written confirmation, Impact of your business project on employment and skills, Contribution of your project to innovation and research. Swiss citizens can additionally work and travel freely throughout Germany, but must apply for a residence permit. Once you find work, it is relatively straightforward to register and stay in Norway. Among the benefits of such a residence title is that it does not require any prolongation and allows free movement within the eurozone. The spouses of those with an EU Blue Card can work in Germany and do not need their own visa and furthermore are not required to have any specified level of German language proficiency. If you want to live in Germany, we can not wait for a permanent resident instead. You can also not apply for one whilst you might be in Germany. Permanent EC Residence - Hamburg Welcome Portal. Apply for a permanent/settlement permit: EU Blue Card Holders. The following requirements apply: You have been employed in a qualified job for at least 33 months during which you made monthly contributions to the statutory pension insurance fund. It is very similar to the permanent EC residency except it does not allow you to move around the EU, and, in certain conditions, you can get it much sooner than five years. Understand the residency rules for European Union citizens moving to Germany to live, work, study or retire... All EU citizens plus those of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can legally live and work in Germany, and may enter the country with a valid passport or photo identity card. As a spouse, you have that right. In addition, permanent EC residents enjoy freedom of mobility within and outside the European Union and may reside and work in most EU countries (except Great Britain, Ireland and Denmark). To get the EU Blue Card you must apply to the following documents: The doctoral degree you received in Germany, The sound work contract or offer related to your qualification with a minimum salary of 48.800 EUR. For self-employed people, it is €200. In addition to the German permanent residence permit, there is also a EU permanent residence permit. However, for EU nationals naturalized in Germany, dual citizenship is common. You now want to work in Germany. The Requirements for an EU Blue card are significant and it’s certainly not a quick or easy solution to residency. This may mean giving up your original citizenship or having dual citizenship. Some individuals choose to progress from being a Permanent Residence Permit holder and apply to be a German Citizen with a German passport. Your subsistence is secure, i.e. The settlement permit for skilled workers is regulated in § 18 c Residence Act. Countries who do not allow dual citizenship include China, Japan and India. Unlike nations that prohibit dual citizenship, it has long been possible to have dual citizenship in Germany, provided the other country also allows dual citizenship. From the time of your interview, provided your documents are completely in order, it will usually take around 2-3 weeks for your Permanent Residence Permit to be processed. There is, then, the option to apply for Permanent Residence Status after that time. You have sufficient command of t… Permanent residence permit can be obtained after 5 years of legally residing* in Germany if the general pre-conditions in § 9 Residence Act has been fulfilled. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Then, ensure that all your paperwork (listed above) is in order. If you are an EU Blue Card holder, you can request to obtain a settlement permit in accordance with Sect. A long-term resident in the European Union is a person who is not a citizen of an EU country but has resided legally and continuously within its territory for five years with a means of support (i.e. An EU residence permit is valid until further notice. The newly implemented law has expanded the list of those that are now considered as qualified professionals for moving to Germany for work. The same applies to UK nationals living in or moving to an EU country. It grants the right to live and work in Germany under EU law. A permanent residence permit allows individuals to stay in Germany for an unspecified period. No visa or work permit is required. By clicking the above button, you have read and agreed to the privacy policy. If you and your partner are both non-EU nationals, the normal requirements apply, i.e. This is a list of all required documents: It’s important to remember that the German bureaucratic system is fairly strict and any holes or gaps in your application will result in you either not being granted for the permit or cause a long delay to your application. Similar to the settlement permit, the permanent EC residence title grants foreign nationals unlimited residence and the right to work in Germany. The EU long-term residence permit is a permanent residence title to live in an EU member country. To apply to become a permanent resident in Germany, you must fulfill the following conditions: Five uninterrupted years of residence in Germany with a residence permit. Germany, Requirements for a permanent residence permit, German Health Insurance for International Students, Best German Universities for Architecture. A German Permanent Residence Permit, sometimes known as a Settlement Permit, can be issued to non-EU citizens who have lived in Germany for more than five years. Friedrichstraße 194 With the permanent residence permit, you can work in Germany as well as travel in and out of the country whenever you need. you need to apply for a residency permit. Once you’re in the EU, there are numerous pathways to PR, citizenship and a passport. To ensure the sustainability of your business project, the following criteria will also be taken into consideration: Please note that these rules are also broadly applicable to most other EU countries. Five years of secure livelihood, including health insurance and social insurance (pension) contributions. Germany Permanent Residence Permit Fee. UK citizens, along with all other non-EU and non-EEA citizens living in Germany are able to apply for this permanent permit, after a period of at least five years in the country. Those with a Permanent (Settled) Residence Permit can stay in Germany permanently. Checkout or article on Living in Europe for more details. The right to claim a residence permit exists as a matter of principle only then when in another EU member state a residence permit has already been issued (pursuant to the EU directive 2003/109/EG dated 25.11.2003) bearing the wording "permanent residence EG" or "permanent residence EU" in the respective official language. Those looking to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit should familiarize themselves with the process and the many requirements for the application, which we’ll look into in this article. It is also permitted for refugees from countries where it is not possible to renounce citizenship. As an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you can enjoy freedom of movement around the countries of the EU, so you don’t need a visa or permit to come and live and work in Germany. Are you allowed to work in another EU country if you have a permanent residence permit in another EU country? In the future, perhaps the EU will adopt a new law to expand the right of permanent residents to work outside their resident country. 4. Individuals from those countries wishing to become naturalized Germans will need to give up their citizenship’s rights or their home country. Once someone has been granted an EU Blue Card, they can move to another EU country after a period of 18 months living in Germany. You have made contributions to a statutory pension schemefor at least 60 months or can provide evidence of a comparable old-age provision. This includes non‑EU family members. If you are an EU Blue Card holder, you can apply for permanent residence after 33 months, with basic German language knowledge (A1 level).If you have German language proficiency at B1 level, then you can apply earlier at 21 months.. For your spouse, she/he will be eligible to apply after being in Germany for 5 years. Another option for you is to get the EU Blue Card – also a special residence and work permit for foreign qualified workers. For a start, individuals must have a university degree and also an German employment contract and a salary of at least €53,600, or €41,808 for areas where there is a skills shortage (this includes medical and engineering fields). With an EU permanent residence permit, you have the possibility of obtaining additional residence permits from other EU-countries. As an EU national, you automatically acquire the right of permanent residence in another EU country if you have lived there legally for a continuous period of 5 years.If you fulfil this requirement, you can apply for a permanent residence document, which confirms your right to live in the country where you now live permanently, without any conditions. A settlement permit – or German permanent residence – is another way you can stay in Germany indefinitely. The fact that you have a permanent residency permit for Italy is irrelevant for German purposes. Residency in Europe – Long Term EU Residence Permit The EU long-term residence permit allows permanent residence to foreign nationals who have lived in an EU country for more than 5 years. But, if you want to become a permanent resident of Germany, then you need to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit. Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Slovakia tightens up work permit legislation, A concrete offer of a contract of employment, Graduates with special professional knowledge and experience, University teachers with outstanding career profiles, Experienced managers with an offer of a job carrying a salary of not less than 86.400 Euros per year, Ability to integrate into German society (i.e. Is it easy to get permanent residence in Germany? But, as of now, permanent residents who want to enjoy the right to settle elsewhere in the EU have one option --- become a citizen. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Acquiring the right of permanent residence. Expatrio Global Services GmbH The fact that you have a permanent residency permit for Italy is irrelevant for German purposes. Germany EU Blue Card You have held a (temporary) residence permit for 5 years. UK individuals living in Germany are currently advised to apply for settled status in light of the British exit from the European Union. Highly qualified people who have to pay a fee of €250. 3. You likely can live and work in the EU as long as you are with your wife. Your partner should also move to Germany for work. In order to be able to work in Germany you need a residency permit issued by the German embassy. You may be briefly tested as to your knowledge of Germany law, politics and society in this appointment, so make sure to prepare as if this will happen to avoid disappointment. But you still need to file your application at an embassy outside Germany. Adequate living space for you and your family (at least 13 sqm per person) The initial terms of the EU Blue Card will normally permit the individual to stay for up to four years, unless the work contract is shorter than this. The standard fee for a Permanent Residence Permit is €135. Visa are granted for a range of time periods, often dependant on the length of a study period or a job contract. Check out our essential tips about life and studies in Germany. There are two main options for permanent gaining residency in Germany: Permanent EC Residence or Settlement Permit. You can learn more in our chapter " EU permanent residence permit ". If you want to start work immediately after your arrival in Germany, you should apply from abroad. 18c (2) AufenthG (German Residence Act). (If you are a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway you have the same freedom of movement as EU nationals. If you meet all the necessary criteria, have all the required documents, and successfully sit the interview, then yes: it can be easy to gain permanent residence. You are a non-EU national, meaning your passport has been issued in a country outside the European Union and you have a permanent residency status in Italy. An unlimited residence permit (a so-called Niederlassungserlaubnis, literally settlement permit) is a permanent residence permit. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! This permit is mostly given to people after they have held the temporary residence permit for a few years or for those with the EU Blue Card. The EU Blue Card is a relatively new type of residency permit, which permits non-EU workers to gain residency without a visa. But it is not the same as becoming a German Citizen (naturalization). Learn how your comment data is processed. 5. Unfortunately I don't know enough German to dig up the equivalent … Directive 2003/109/EC affords "long-term residents" a right to reside in other EU countries under certain conditions, although three EU countries have opted out of this directive (the UK, Ireland, and Denmark). It is not the same as becoming a German citizen and having a German passport, but it offers much more security than having a Temporary Residence Permit ( Aufenthaltserlaubnis ). Return for your appointment with the completed form and all the aforementioned documents. Half of previous periods of study and training will be credited. Though most applicants will need to pay a fee of €135, there are others as: Self-employed persons who need to pay a fee of €200. Free access to the entire territory of the EU host country. For the permit for permanent residence Germany usually requires you to already have a visa that allows you to work, such as the permits for general employment, self-employment, and the EU Blue Card. I have permanent residence in the UK/EU or will acquire it during the transition period. Note that Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU long-term residency program. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can live and work in Germany without restrictions but will need to register with the local German authorities. ), If you are married to a German or EU national you should be able to obtain a residency permit as your partner ‘supports’ your application. This applies particularly to: On top of that applicants should fulfill the following criteria: To work on a self-employed basis your proposed business must: Requirements 1 and 2 will generally be fulfilled if your investment is worth 1 million Euros or more and creates 10 new jobs. Citizens of countries from the European Union (EU) or European Free trade Association (EFTA) (EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) have the right to visit, live and work in Switzerland, although some restrictions apply for newer EU members and all EU/EFTA need a residence permit for longer stays. It is aimed at highly skilled workers. The other way to be fast-tracked is if you are highly qualified in a specific technical/research area. 2. remunerated activities, an EU Blue Card or a residence permit for family reasons. As a long-term resident in one EU country, can I live and work in a second EU country? In other words, its period of validity is not limited. A German settlement permit is a permanent residence for foreigners who have lawfully lived for a number of years in Germany. The first job is to pick up the correct form (Antrag auf Erteilung der Niederlassungserlaubnis) from the immigration office and make an appointment. Hi Shane. But: if you already have a job offer, you should make sure that your employer will have a work permit ready for when you are to start work. You have to apply for it in Italy or another country outside Germany. For more information contact the German embassy in your country. For the remainder of this answer, I assume that both countries have implemented the directive. Yes. A foreigner receives a settlement permit if: he or she has held a residence permit for five years you are able to support yourself without benefit payments. You can also not apply for one whilst you might be in Germany. PLEASE NOTE : Citizens of the new EU member states Romania and Bulgaria require a work permit, which is issued by the Employment Agency. These are only issued after living in Germany for a period of more than five years, and you must have had a temporary residence permit or visa for that length of time. This usually requires having a Permanent Residence Permit for at least 8 years. It’s really important not to overstay the time granted on your visa. Which non-EU nationals can apply for a residency permit then? You can stay in a second EU country for more than three months for purposes including work, study or training, if you apply for and are granted a residence permit in this second country. During your interview, your documents will be checked, and you may be asked questions about why you are making the application. The answer to your question therefore depends on the EU countries involved. In order to be able to work in Germany you need a residency permit issued by the German embassy. You will need to have enough knowledge of German language, as well as an understanding of local laws and customs. Switches from a residence title granted for work purposes to an EU Blue Card or to a settlement permit for graduates of German universities were the second large group. After 8 years spent in Germany with a settlement permit, you can … Overstaying on a visa is a legal offence, renders you an illegal immigrant, and could result in deportation. In principle, you and your family members will continue to have permanent residence in your host country. However, the next step, should you choose it, is to apply for naturalization (becoming a German Citizen), which is possible after 8 years as a permanent resident. To be eligible, third-country nationals must have lived in the EU country where they apply, for at least five years. It authorizes you to unlimitedly live, work, study and bring your family members in Germany. Those from the EU or EEA do not need to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis), sometimes called a settled permit, because they already have the right to live and work in Germany and also have the option to apply for the EC long-term residence permit, also known as an EU Residence Permit. 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