Settlement permit for persons entitled to asylum and refugees

Description

The settlement permit is an unlimited residence title that allows you to live and work in Germany without any time or place restrictions.

You can apply for a settlement permit if you

• have been recognised by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) as a person entitled to asylum or a refugee under the Geneva Refugee Convention and have reached the age of 16
  or
• have been accepted by Germany as a resettlement refugee and have reached the age of 16
  and
• have been in possession of a corresponding residence permit for 5 years. With good economic and linguistic integration, it is possible to apply for a settlement permit after only 3 years in possession of a corresponding residence permit.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) checks whether the grounds for recognition as a person entitled to asylum or refugee status still apply. A settlement permit can only be issued if the reasons for recognition still apply.

Prerequisites

• You are registered in Munich.
• You have a valid and recognised passport or passport substitute (travel document for refugees).
• You have been living legally in Germany for at least 3 years with a residence permit. If you have lived in Germany for 5 years, simplified requirements apply. The periods of asylum proceedings are counted towards the required period of residence.
• You have
  • a residence permit in accordance with § 25 Para. 1 AufenthG (recognition as a person entitled to asylum) or
  • a residence permit in accordance with § 25 Para. 2 Sentence 1, 1st alternative (recognition as a refugee) or
  • a residence permit in accordance with § 23 Para. 4 AufenthG (resettlement refugee).
    
    Your residence permit is still valid and the grounds for recognition as a person entitled to asylum or refugee status still apply.

• Your livelihood is secured. If you have been in receipt of social benefits and have held a residence permit for 3 years, you must have secured your livelihood for the most part (more than 75 per cent) and if you have held a residence permit for 5 years, you must have secured your livelihood for the most part (more than 50 per cent) from your own resources.
• You have adequate health insurance.
• You have a command of the German language (level C1) or have sufficient knowledge of German (level A2) if you have been a resident for 5 years.
• You have a basic knowledge of the legal and social system in Germany.
• You have sufficient living space for yourself and your family members. This does not include accommodation to avoid homelessness.
• You have no criminal record.

Required documents

• Fully completed application for a settlement permit
• Valid and recognised passport or passport substitute (travel document for refugees)
• Current biometric passport photo (you will find photo machines at the Foreigners Office)

Proof of secure means of subsistence

• If you are married or in a registered partnership, the proof of livelihood and pension provision can also be from your partner.

For employees

• Salary slips (certificates of earnings for the last three months)
• Confirmation of the employment relationship
• Declaration of livelihood
• Employment contract/training contract

For self-employed/freelancers

• Proof of profit after tax (last income tax assessment) and
  
  • For self-employed persons: current profit and loss account from the tax consultancy or current business statement,
  • For freelancers: current profit and loss statement from the tax consultant, fee contract, order invoices and account statements for the order invoices
• Proof of health insurance (insurance card of your statutory health insurance or the insurance policy of a private health insurance company)
• Business registration (if required under trade law)
• Declaration of livelihood

Proof of benefits such as parental allowance, child benefit, child supplement, childcare allowance and maintenance can also be enclosed.

Proof of sufficient living space and monthly costs:

• Declaration of domestic community
• For rented flats: Tenancy agreement stating the size of the flat in square metres and account statements showing the amount of rent or a certificate of accommodation
• For owner-occupied flats: Purchase contract stating the size of the flat in square metres and, if applicable, proof of instalment payments for loans and monthly housing benefit/house allowance.

Proof of German language skills and basic knowledge of the legal and social system in Germany:

• Language certificate level C 1 (3 years residence time) or certificate level A 2
  (5-year residence period) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
  Or
• Proof of successful participation in an integration course
  Or
• Certificate from a German school, vocational training or university degree
  Or
• other language certificate
  and
• Certificate "Living in Germany"

Further documents may be required in individual cases.

Legal basis

§ Section 26 (3) Residence Act, Section 9 (2) Residence Act