Do you know the requirements for permanent residency in Germany?

You have lived and worked in Germany for five years now and want a permanent residency (PR). And why not? Germany is the fifth largest economy in the world, has numerous job opportunities for expats. With a safe environment and high-quality medical care, many foreigners want to settle here permanently.

 

Getting a permanent residency in Germany is not hard, provided you fulfill all the requirements. If you meet the requirements and eligibility criteria, then you are well on the way to get your PR.

 

In this blog, we will demystify the requirements for getting a permanent residency in Germany. Believe us the requirements are simple and after reading this you will be all set to submit your application.

 

Duration of stay

You are eligible to apply for permanent residence if you have been in the country between five to eight years. If you are staying on a legal residence permit for work or study, you can apply for permanent residency.

 

However, if you are a graduate from a German university, you can apply for PR after two years provided in these two years you had a residence permit for working in the country.

 

If you belong to a country that is part of the European Union, then you are automatically eligible for permanent residency in Germany.

 

If you are an EU Blue Card holder, you can apply for PR after working in Germany for 21 to 33 months.

 

As a self-employed person with a residence permit, you can apply for a PR after three years. But you must prove that you can financially support yourself for a long-term.

 

If you are a highly qualified worker with an annual income of over 84,000 Euros, then you can get a PR immediately.

 

Professional qualification

If you are highly qualified and have special technical knowledge or are involved in academic teaching or research, then you can get your PR almost immediately.

•  You should have proof of your job offer
•  You should have the financial means to support yourself.
• Your ability to adapt to the local culture will be a plus point.

Knowledge of German language

Knowledge of the German language is necessary to obtain PR.  B1 level of German is required which will be quite easy if you have lived in the country for more than two years. Apart from this some knowledge of German society such as its legal, social and political system is mandatory.

 

 Contribution to pension insurance

For making a PR application, you should have contributed to the statutory pension insurance of Germany. The duration of the contribution varies with the criteria you belong to. If you belong to the general category you should have contributed to the fund for at least 60 months.

 

If you are an EU Blue Card older, you should have contributed to the fund for 33 months and if you are a graduate your contribution should be for 24 months.

 

Other means to secure permanent residency

Marriage: If you are married to a German citizen for more than two years and have lived in the country for more than three years, you are eligible to apply for PR.

 

Birth:  Children born in Germany to foreign citizens can apply for permanent residency.

 

Conditions to apply for permanent residency

You have a passport and visa

You can meet your maintenance costs without taking help of public funds. These costs will include:

1. Enough income to support you and your family
2. Cost for accommodation and health insurance

• No reason exists for your deportation
• Have health insurance
• You will be able to integrate with the living conditions in the country

Required documents

When applying for permanent residency, you must submit the following documents:

1. Passport and visa
2. Your job offer letter that proves you can support yourself and your family
3. Proof of educational and professional qualifications
4. Proof of accommodation

Processing time

The processing time for the permanent residency is usually four to six weeks.

Cost

Application for PR includes some costs. For the general category the fee is approximately 135 euros, for self-employed the fee is 200 euros while highly qualified professionals will have to pay 250 euros for the settlement permit.

 

Permanent EU residence permit

Another option to the permanent residence in Germany is the EU (European Union) residence permit. This is also a permanent residency status with which you can live and work in Germany permit. It has the same privileges as the German PR. However, it provides certain additional privileges:

1. You can migrate to almost every country in the EU
2. Get a residence permit on certain conditions
3. Full access to work opportunities and social security schemes in the EU

The eligibility requirements for the EU residence permit is almost the same as that for German PR.

1. Lived in Germany for at least five years
2. Ability to support yourself and your family
3. Basic knowledge of German language and culture
4. Have the required living space for you and your family
5. Paid to the pension fund for at least 60 months

The legal requirements, eligibility criteria and supporting documents to apply for a PR in Germany might appear complicated, but once you understand the rules and requirements the application process is easy.

 

A better option is to talk to an immigration consultant who can help you with the nitty-gritty and hire their services for a smooth PR application process.

 

Y-Axis offers a wide range of visa and immigration services as well as products to aspiring overseas immigrants including Y-Path for Licensed Professionals, Y-Path for Students & Freshers, and Y-Path for Working Professionals and Job Seeker. If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest, Travel or Migrate to Germany, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.