Applying for a permanent residence card for third-country national family members of EU citizens entitled to freedom of movement

• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special form.
• If the application can only be made in person, make an appointment at the immigration office. If you apply online, the Foreigners' Registration Office will contact you after receiving your details to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents to the appointment, if possible in the original).
• If there are no reasons to the contrary, your fingerprints will be taken to produce the permanent residence card. You must also provide a signature.
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will commission the Federal Printing Office to produce the permanent residence card in credit card format. Once it has been produced, you will receive information and can collect the permanent residence card from the relevant office. You must always collect it in person.
• The permanent residence card is usually issued within six months.
• If the issue of a permanent residence card is refused, you will receive a notification.

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence

• You are a family member of an EU or EEA citizen residing in Germany, but do not have one of these nationalities yourself.
• You are a family member of a person with German citizenship, i.e. you are
  • spouse,
  • life partner,
  • a relative in the direct descending line (e.g. children) of the German or the spouse/partner who has not yet reached the age of 21 or who is dependent on them, or
  • a relative in the direct ascending line (e.g. parents and grandparents) of the German or of the spouse or life partner who is dependent on them.
    
    Please note: In the case of reference persons who are students, the group of family members entitled to join you is limited to spouses and life partners as well as children who are granted maintenance.
    You maintain a family relationship with the German (you do not necessarily have to live together).
    You have resided continuously with your reference person in Germany for a period of five years.

Please note:
Shorter periods of absence are irrelevant when calculating the period for acquiring the right of permanent residence. For example, permanent residence can also be assumed when leaving the federal territory for a total of six months per year or to perform military service or alternative service as well as once for up to twelve consecutive months for good cause (e.g. due to serious illness, studies or vocational training).

The reference period for the permitted six-month absence is the period per year of residence, starting on the anniversary date of the start of residence.

You can acquire a permanent right of residence before five years have elapsed if your reference person dies, for example as a result of an accident at work or an occupational disease.

• You have fulfilled the requirements under EU law for the free movement of third-country national family members for five years. You can assume this if the residence card was issued to you for a period of five years

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• For minors: Consent of the person with custody rights to the planned stay (declaration of consent); if the parents with custody rights cannot submit the application jointly for their child, a written power of attorney from the absent parent is required; if only one parent has custody rights, the signature of this parent is sufficient

The Immigration Office may also request the submission of the following documents:

• Proof of the continuation of the family relationship with the reference person (e.g. marriage or birth certificate)
• Proof that the reference person has exercised their right to freedom of movement for the required duration (e.g. confirmation of registration, employment contract or confirmation of employment, trade license or proof of self-employment)

In the case of residence with a non-employed reference person, the immigration authority may also require

• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence
• Proof of sufficient health insurance cover (e.g. confirmation of health insurance cover or insurance policy)

If you are staying with a reference person who is studying, the immigration authority may also require

• University admission or enrollment certificate of the reference person
• Proof of sufficient means of subsistence
• Proof of health insurance cover (e.g. confirmation of health insurance cover or insurance policy)

The documents and information must always be submitted in German. In individual cases, the Immigration Office may request fewer or additional documents.

Cost amount (fixed):

• 37.00 for persons aged 24 and over
• 22.80 for persons under 24 years of age

Remark:

The time and form of fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

Additional fees may apply for the issue of the permanent residence card in cheque card format with additional electronic functions (can also be used as electronic proof of identity).

• § Section 47 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
• § Section 1 Ordinance on fees for ID cards and eID cards for EU citizens and nationals of the European Economic Area (PAuswGebV)

Duration: 6 to 8

Note (for further information on the deadline):

At the latest 6 to 8 weeks before your residence card expires, the required information and documents should be received by the Aliens' Registration Office. Unless exceptional circumstances apply, the permanent residence card can be applied for after a stay of five years at the earliest.

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The permanent residence card is issued for an unlimited period. Only the electronic card body is issued for a limited period and must be renewed at the end of its validity.

Duration (for span): approx. 6 to 6

Note for further information on the processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the Foreigners' Registration Office, but may take a maximum of six months.

It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce the permanent residence card.

• § Section 2 (2) no. 6 FreizügG/EU
• § 3 FreizügG/EU
• § 4 FreizügG/EU
• § Section 4a FreizügG/EU
• § Section 12 FreizügG/EU (EEA states)
• § Section 47 Residence Ordinance (fees)
• § Section 5 (5) sentence 2 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority within one month of notification
• Legal action before the court named in the objection notice if the objection is not upheld

• Online procedure occasionally possible
• Written form required: yes
• Personal appearance required: yes

• The procedure is usually conducted in German.
• If you leave the federal territory for more than two consecutive years for a reason that is not merely temporary in nature, you will lose your permanent right of residence.
• Different provisions apply to nationals of Switzerland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (see "Further information").
• All information provided to the Immigration Office should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that your application can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be detrimental to the person concerned. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time vis-à-vis the immigration authority can result in the revocation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence and freedom of movement law, this description is for information purposes only and is not legally binding

28.11.2022