Apply for settlement permit for EU Blue Card holders

You must apply for a settlement permit in writing to the foreigners authority at your main place of residence. Depending on where you live, the foreigners authority is the city administration or the district administration.

The requirements for a settlement permit for holders of an EU Blue Card are

• written application to the responsible immigration authority
• Valid passport or passport substitute and clarified identity
• Possession of a valid EU Blue Card
• at least 33 months of employment and basic German language skills (level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

or

• at least 21 months of employment and sufficient German language skills (level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
• Pension provision (at least 33 or 21 months of compulsory contributions to statutory pension insurance or expenses for an entitlement to comparable benefits)
• secure livelihood through own income
• Sufficient health insurance and adequate living space
• No criminal offenses

• valid passport
• 1 current biometric passport photo
• Proof of income
• Proof of pension provision
• Proof of health insurance cover
• Rental agreement or purchase contract with details of living space
• Proof of receipt of other benefits (e.g. child benefit, parental allowance, etc.)
• Proof of basic or sufficient knowledge of German
• Successful completion of the "Living in Germany" test

Please note that further proof may be requested in individual cases.

Processing can take several weeks, as other authorities are also involved in the procedure.

• § Section 9 (2) Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 19a (6) Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 44 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

Since September 1, 2011, you will receive a settlement permit in the form of a check card with additional electronic functions. You can find more information on this at:

• Introduction of the electronic residence permit (eAT)

03.12.2020