Settlement permit for former Germans

Course description

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

Former Germans are entitled to a settlement permit if they have had their habitual residence in Germany as Germans for five years when they lost their German citizenship and the application for a settlement permit is submitted within six months of becoming aware of the loss.

Application and deadline

Please submit the application form and the required documents online or by post. After submitting your online application, you can download a completed document as a PDF for your records. The document will confirm your application and the authorisation/continuation of your previous residence. Once we have checked your application, you will receive an appointment for a personal interview.

Prerequisites

• You are registered in Munich.
• You have a recognised and valid passport.
• You have lost your German citizenship (for example, due to the acquisition of a foreign citizenship upon application or by renunciation).
• If you have lost your German citizenship, you have had your habitual residence as a German in Germany for five years.
• An application for a settlement permit was submitted within six months of becoming aware of the loss.
• Your livelihood is secured.
• You have adequate health insurance cover.
• You have no criminal record.

Required documents

• Fully completed application form
• Valid and recognised passport
• current biometric passport photo submitted digitally by a certified photo studio or drugstore. Alternatively, you can use one of the photo terminals at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service Centre for a fee.
• Proof of loss of German citizenship (for example: certificate of renunciation, certificate of dismissal or assessment notice from the citizenship authority)

• Proof of acquisition of foreign nationality (extract from the civil status register or certificate from the consulate general or embassy)
• Proof of five years of habitual residence as a German in the federal territory - you can also apply for an extended registration certificate from the Citizens Office for this purpose
• Proof of benefits such as parental allowance, child benefit, child allowance, childcare allowance, child-raising allowance, under the Maintenance Advance Act can also be enclosed.
• Proof of monthly housing costs. Declaration of domestic community. For rented flats: Tenancy agreement and statements of account showing the amount of rent or certificate of occupancy. For owner-occupied flats: Purchase contract stating the size of the flat in square metres and proof of instalment payments for loans and monthly housing benefit/house allowance.

Proof of secure livelihood

For employees:

• Salary statements (certificates of earnings for the last three months)
• Confirmation of the employment relationship
• Declaration of livelihood

For self-employed/freelancers

• Proof of profit after tax (last income tax assessment, current profit and loss account from tax consultancy, current business statement)
• Proof of health insurance
• Business registration (if required under trade law)
• Certificate from the tax office (information on tax matters)
• Declaration of livelihood

The documents submitted (such as proof of identity and language certificates) will be checked for authenticity. Further documents may be required in individual cases.

Legal basis

§ Section 38 (1) AufenthG

§ 5 AufenthG