Apply for a settlement permit

With a settlement permit, you can live and work in Germany without any time or place restrictions.

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 will usually receive the settlement permit after a five-year stay in Germany.

Registering your place of residence

You must first register your main place of residence in Munich at the Citizens Office.

Applying and making an appointment

To apply and make an appointment, please send us your application form and the required documents using the online contact form or by post. You will receive an appointment for a personal appointment after we have checked your application.

Prerequisites

  • You have been living in Germany for five years with a residence permit (previous periods of study and training are counted as half).
  • You have a valid residence permit that was not issued for a temporary purpose (such as studying or training).
  • Your livelihood is secured.
  • You have adequate health insurance.
  • You have sufficient pension provision (at least 60 months of compulsory or voluntary contributions to statutory pension insurance or comparable benefits).
  • You have sufficient living space for yourself and your family members.
  • You have sufficient knowledge of German (level B1) and basic knowledge of the legal and social system in Germany.
  • You have no criminal record.

Different requirements apply for the following stays:

Required documents

  • Fully completed application for a permanent residence permit
  • Valid passport or passport substitute
  • Current biometric passport photo (photo booths are available at the Foreigners Office)

Proof of secure means of subsistence and accommodation:

In the case of family cohabitation in a marriage or registered civil partnership, the proof of livelihood and pension provision can also be provided by the spouse or civil partner.

For employees

For self-employed/freelancers

  • Proof of profit after tax (last income tax assessment, current profit and loss account from tax advisor)
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Business registration (if required under trade law)
  • Certificate from the tax office (information on tax matters)
  • 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 pension provision:

  • Waiting period information from the German Pension Insurance (at least 60 months of compulsory or voluntary contributions to statutory pension insurance). Information on the waiting period information can also be obtained from the municipal insurance office in the district administration department.

or

  • Proof of entitlement to comparable benefits from an insurance or pension institution or an insurance company.

Proof of sufficient living space:

  • 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

  • Housing certificate

or

  • 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 sufficient knowledge of German and basic knowledge of the legal and social system in Germany:

  • Proof of successful participation in an integration course

or

  • Certificate from a German school, training or university degree

or

  • Certificate of German language proficiency according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at least at level B1

or

  • other proof of language proficiency

Further documents may be required in individual cases.

Duration & Costs

Processing time

20 weeks

Fees

  • 113 euros
  • Costs for sending the electronic residence permit (eAT): 5.70 euros

Payment methods available

Legal basis

§ Section 9 Residence Act

Landeshauptstadt München

Kreisverwaltungsreferat
Hauptabteilung II Bürgerangelegenheiten
Ausländerangelegenheiten

Postal address

Landeshauptstadt München
Kreisverwaltungsreferat
Hauptabteilung II Bürgerangelegenheiten
Ausländerangelegenheiten

Ruppertstraße 19
80466 München

Address

Ruppertstraße 19
80337 München

Lagehinweis: Eingang A
Room: Servicepoint, Bereich 31, 3. Stock

Only with appointment

Related services

Settlement permit for civil servants

You have been a civil servant for three years and want to apply for a permanent residence permit.

Settlement permit with EU Blue Card

Do you have an EU Blue Card? Then you can apply for a settlement permit under certain conditions.

EU permanent residence permit

The EU permanent residence permit is an unlimited residence title and offers the same rights as the settlement permit.

Settlement permit for persons entitled to asylum and refugees

You have been living here for 3 or 5 years as a recognised asylum seeker, refugee or resettlement refugee and would like to apply for a settlement permit.

Settlement permit after dissolution of marriage

If you have separated from a person with a permanent residence permit, you can obtain a settlement permit under certain conditions.

Settlement permit from the age of 16

Do you want to apply for a settlement permit? Then you must observe the following.

Settlement permit for former Germans

Former Germans can apply for a settlement permit under certain conditions.

Settlement permit for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons

You have been living here for 5 years for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons and would like to apply for a settlement permit.

Settlement permit for skilled workers

You are a skilled worker and want to apply for a business permit.