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

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 in possession of a residence permit for 5 years for reasons of international law, humanitarian or political reasons (§§ 22-25 AufenthG) and have reached the age of 16.

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 or have been admitted to Germany as a resettlement refugee, you also have the option of applying for a settlement permit in accordance with Section 26 (3) AufenthG with different requirements.

Prerequisites

• You are registered in Munich.
• You have a valid and recognised passport or passport substitute (travel document for foreigners or refugees).
• You have been living legally in Germany for at least 5 years with a residence permit. The time of an asylum procedure is counted towards the required period of residence.
• You have a residence permit in accordance with §§ 22 to 25 AufenthG.
• Your livelihood is secure.
• 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. This does not include accommodation to prevent homelessness.
• You have sufficient knowledge of German (language level B1).
• You have a basic knowledge of the legal and social system in Germany.
• You have no criminal record.

Required documents

• Fully completed application for a settlement permit
• Valid passport or passport substitute (travel document for foreigners or 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 pension provision:

• Waiting period information from the German Pension Insurance (at least 60 months of compulsory or voluntary contributions to statutory pension insurance). Information from the municipal insurance office on applying for the waiting period information can be found here.
  or
• Proof of entitlement to comparable benefits from an insurance or pension institution or an insurance company.

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

• Language certificate level B1 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