Refugees

If you have been recognised as a refugee or person entitled to asylum by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) or have been accepted as a resettlement refugee in Germany, you can apply for a settlement permit after three or five years.

To apply for a settlement permit, you must have held a residence permit for at least three years. The periods of the asylum procedure are also taken into account. If you have held a residence permit for five years, the requirements for obtaining a settlement permit are somewhat lower.

This page lists the requirements necessary to the granting of a settlement permit and specifies which documents you must submit for this purpose.

Requirements

1. Holder of a residence permit for five years
   In order to be granted a settlement permit, you must have held a residence permit as a refugee or person entitled to asylum for five years.
   
   Periods of the asylum procedure are counted towards the period of residence.
    
2. Reasons for being granted asylum / refugee status continue to exist
   The reasons for granting the right to asylum / refugee status must still exist. This is checked by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). As a rule, the checks take place three years after the original ruling. The settlement permit can only be granted if the reasons continue to exist.
    
3. No criminal offences
   You must not commit any criminal offences in Germany. In this case, even fines may prevent the granting of a settlement permit.
    
4. Sufficient knowledge of German
   In order to be granted a settlement permit, you must have sufficient knowledge of German. This corresponds to level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
   
   Have you successfully completed an integration course? Great, then you definitely have the required German language skills.
    
5. Basic knowledge of the legal and social systems
   You have a basic knowledge of the legal and social system and living conditions in Germany. You can prove this by passing the “Living in Germany” test or the citizenship test. The “Living in Germany” test is offered as part of the integration course.
    
6. Living expenses predominantly covered
   In order to be granted a settlement permit, you must be able to cover the majority of your living expenses through earned income. This means that you can cover at least 51% of your expenses through your job.
    
7. Health insurance
   You and your family members must have sufficient health insurance cover. This is the case if you have statutory health insurance or equivalent private health insurance.
    
8. Adequate living space
   You and your family members have adequate living space. As a rule, this is the case if each family member over the age of six has 12 square metres of living space (excluding kitchen, bathroom and toilet) at their disposal. For children under six years of age, living space of 10 sqm is sufficient.
    
9. Clarified identity
   In order to be granted a settlement permit, your identity must be clarified. It is considered cleared if you have a valid national passport. However, if you have been granted refugee status or the right to asylum, it is unreasonable for you to go to the embassy to apply for a passport or to obtain alternative official documents and certificates. Please submit documents that you already have and provide information about whether you can have additional documents from your country of origin sent to you through relatives or acquaintances.

Would you like to apply for a settlement permit after three years? Then you must also meet the following requirements:

1. Proficiency in the German language
   You must be proficient in the German language. This corresponds to level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. You must be able to provide evidence of your German language skills by means of an appropriate certificate.
    
2. Living expenses predominantly covered
   In order to be granted a settlement permit, you must be able to cover the large majority of your living expenses through earned income. This means that you can secure at least 76 % of your needs through your job.

If you meet the requirements, you can be granted a permanent residence permit (settlement permit).

Please bring the following with you…

If you wish to apply for a settlement permit as a refugee or person entitled to asylum, please bring the following documents with you (if we do not already have them):

• Your valid travel document for refugees
• Proof of identity
• A current passport photo
• A completed application form
• Employment contract
• Current salary statements
• Tenancy agreement (and current rent certificate, if available)
• Proof of health insurance
• Language certificate (A2 or C1)
• “Living in Germany” test or citizenship test
• Fee: up to € 60.00 (for the travel document)

Further documents may be required in individual cases. If this applies to you, we will inform you accordingly.

Please note: An appointment is required to receive the settlement permit. Please send us an appointment request.