How to Get a Residence Permit in Germany

According to Eurostat data as of January 1, 2024, about 16.9 million people born outside the country were living in Germany. A significant share of them are from the former USSR. Regardless of the reason for staying (studies, work, or resettlement programs in Germany), their feedback about the country is generally positive, which gives many others even more reasons to move here.

In this article, we will share useful information about residence permits in Germany: what documents are required, whether knowledge of German is necessary for relocation, how temporary and permanent residence permits differ, and what grounds are needed to apply for them.

Earlier, we discussed public holidays in Germany.

Residence permit is a document that grants a foreigner a right to live and work in the country. It can be temporary or permanent.

A residence permit allows a migrant to stay in Germany for more than 90 days within six months. It is issued for a period of 6 months to 2–3 years (depending on the purpose of stay in the country). When the permit expires, it must be renewed.

Extending a residence permit in Germany is a standard procedure. It is important to start the process in advance, about 6–8 weeks before the current permit expires, to avoid complications with legal residency. The status can be extended if the person still meets the conditions on which it was originally granted. For example:

The document allows a person to live and work in the country. However, it is useful to remember that a residence permit has limitations. For example, with it you cannot leave Germany for a long period of time or freely change the purpose of stay.

Permanent residence (PR) is a status that allows a person more freedom and stability. It is granted to those who have already lived in Germany for several years, have good knowledge of the language, work and pay taxes, and have not broken the law. With PR, a migrant’s stay is no longer limited by time, they can change jobs without permission, travel, and even leave Germany for extended periods. In addition, PR is a step toward citizenship.

Simply put, a residence permit is temporary and conditional, while permanent residence is long-term and comes with more rights. Depending on the type of immigration, a newcomer may qualify for one status or the other.

For example, foreigners immigrating under repatriation programs receive PR immediately. If a third-country national marries a German citizen, they receive a temporary residence permit, and after 3 years they can apply for permanent status.

A temporary residence permit can be granted if there is a specific purpose for staying in Germany, usually studies, work, or business. In rare cases, highly qualified specialists are granted PR immediately.

Before entering the country and applying for a residence permit in Germany, a migrant needs a national visa, since a residence permit cannot be obtained while still in the country of origin.

A national visa cannot be extended. If grounds for staying in Germany remain, a temporary residence permit is issued.

To apply for a residence permit in Germany, you need to collect a package of documents, which should include:

When submitting these papers, make sure they are legalized (authenticity certified). A translation into German is also mandatory.

Do not forget that to obtain a residence permit in Germany, you need to pay a fee. It is about 100 euros. A note about the permit is also placed in your passport.

You can obtain a residence permit in Germany to live in the same country with the rest of your family. For this, the relative in Germany must either be a German citizen or legally reside there with another status. Those wishing to enter the country for reunification will first need to apply for a national visa.

Family reunification does not only mean moving to blood relatives. A German residence permit of this type can also be issued to spouses.

If you are applying for a residence permit through marriage, the Foreigners’ Office reserves the right to verify the authenticity of the marriage: they may interview the spouses or neighbors, make an unannounced visit, and monitor permanent registration before and after the marriage.

Depending on the situation, additional documents may be required, such as:

A residence permit is issued for 3 years if the person is reuniting with a German citizen. If reuniting with a foreigner who has a residence permit or permanent residence, it is granted for the duration of the spouse’s/parent’s permit.

After three years of marriage, you can apply for permanent residence in Germany. By this time, the applicant must improve their language level to B1. However, in some cases this requirement may be waived — for example, when reuniting with a spouse studying in a German university in an English-language program, or if the sponsoring relative has a Blue Card.

Usually, students enter the country with a national visa or a student applicant visa (for those who have not yet been admitted to a university) valid for 3 to 6 months. When it expires, the foreigner must contact the Ausländerbehörde and apply for a student residence permit in Germany. Each city has its own rules and a separate set of documents, so check the municipality’s website.

Students are granted a temporary residence permit that covers the entire period of study. During their studies, they are allowed to work up to 120 full or 240 half days per year without a separate permit. Full-time work days can be taken during holidays.

After graduation, the student has the right to request an extension of their status (up to 18 months) in order to find employment.

One of the conditions for obtaining both a visa and a residence permit is having sufficient financial resources to live in the country. German authorities estimate that a student needs €992 per month available for one year — meaning the account must have at least €11,904.

Proof of financial means must be provided every year.

A residence permit in Germany for work can only be obtained by those who have a job offer from a company and an educational qualification (either German or one recognized in Germany). If the existing qualification is insufficient, you can enroll in a German university and continue studying in your field to obtain a local diploma. There are plenty of master’s programs available.

Some professions (for example, legal or medical) require a license. If you work in one of these fields, you should prepare the document in advance.

Additional documents will be required:

If you do not have a job offer, don’t give up. People who have already moved to Germany and are working there with a residence permit say that the easiest way to start a career in a German company is as an intern. Despite the low pay, upon completing the internship you can expect to be offered a permanent position.

This type of residence permit can be obtained by foreigners running a business that:

The applicant must have sufficient capital to develop the business or the ability to obtain funds on credit. Self-employed individuals and freelancers are not considered entrepreneurs.

The maximum validity period of an entrepreneur’s residence permit is 3 years. The decision on extension depends on the success of the business and the ability of the applicant to continue running it.

Freelancers and self-employed individuals engaged in private practice can apply for a residence permit. These include doctors, lawyers, designers, teachers, digital nomads, and others. The list of eligible professions is constantly updated.

The applicant must have a business plan and, if necessary, a professional license. To obtain a freelancer residence permit in Germany, a foreigner must prove that their services are in demand and will be needed.

The maximum validity period is 3 years. As in the previous case, the chances of renewal increase if the project is successful.

To obtain this type of residence permit, you need a contract or an invitation from a research institution (a university or a research department of a German company). Without a contract, it will be difficult to come to Germany for research work.

This status is valid for up to 3 years, and up to 4 years if you hold a doctoral degree.

The following groups of foreign citizens can apply for a job-seeker residence permit:

Applicants are required to have knowledge of the German language (usually at least A2–B1) sufficient to perform professional duties, as well as financial means to live in the country while searching for work. The amount of savings may affect the length of the permit.

This status does not grant the right to work but allows applicants to perform trial tasks. As an exception, the authorities may grant permission to work a limited number of hours per week.

A job-seeker residence permit is valid for up to 6 months, but for those with academic education or academic/research activities — up to 18 months. If the foreigner has not found employment within this period, they must leave the country.

German law does not provide for granting residence permits to foreigners in exchange for investments or property purchases. However, if you have sufficient funds, you can apply for a residence permit through self-employment, and if you have purchased property, you may rent it out.

There are also other grounds for obtaining a temporary residence permit. For example, the ICT card, which is issued to foreign citizens coming for internships or business trips. A separate type of residence permit is provided for work under the Au Pair program and for volunteer activities.

Since 2024, Germany has introduced a new type of visa for people who want to live and work in the country but do not yet have an employment contract. It is called the Chancenkarte, which translates from German as “Opportunity Card.” This document allows you to move to Germany and look for a job on-site or undergo the procedure of degree recognition.

The Chancenkarte is a temporary residence permit in Germany valid for up to one year, which allows you to:

This visa was created to make relocation easier for skilled specialists from non-EU countries, such as CIS states.

There are two ways to obtain it:

1. Direct route (without points). If you have a higher education or vocational diploma that is already recognized in Germany, you can obtain the Opportunity Card without additional requirements.

2. Points-based route. If your diploma is not yet recognized, you must apply through a points system. Points are awarded for education, work experience, age, language skills, family in the country, and more. To get the Opportunity Card, you must score at least 6 points.

Obtaining permanent residence (PR) in Germany is more difficult than temporary status. The country has a Residence Act, according to which, if a foreigner meets the prescribed conditions, they can apply for permanent legal residence. These conditions are:

The list of documents for PR may vary significantly, according to migrant feedback. To obtain permanent residence, the following are usually required:

After obtaining permanent residence in Germany, you can apply for citizenship if certain conditions are met. Typically, naturalization is possible after 5 years of residence in the country, provided the person is successfully integrated, has German language proficiency at level B1 or higher, is financially stable, and has no criminal record. It is also important to pass a test on the basics of German society and legal order.

Please note that in May 2025, the German government abolished the possibility of obtaining citizenship after just 3 years of legal residence, which previously applied to spouses of German citizens or individuals with exceptional merits. According to the reform, the basic requirement for naturalization has become at least 5 years of residence in the country.

This is a special type of residence permit in Germany for highly qualified specialists from non-EU countries. It allows you to work and live in the country for up to 4 years, with a simplified transition to permanent residence.

Since 2024, the conditions for obtaining an EU Blue Card in Germany have been significantly updated to attract skilled professionals, especially in sectors with acute labor shortages. The minimum annual income threshold is now between €41,042 and €45,300, depending on the profession. For general fields, you must earn at least €45,300, while for shortage occupations — for example, in IT, engineering, healthcare, or science — the threshold has been reduced to €41,042, making the visa more accessible for graduates and employees in critical professions.

The Blue Card remains one of the most effective pathways for highly qualified migrants. Its validity depends on the employment contract but is limited to four years, and it provides accelerated access to permanent residence. After 33 months of legal work and pension contributions, you can apply for PR. If you have German language proficiency at level B1, this period is reduced to 21 months.

Germany has also simplified intra-EU mobility. If you already hold a Blue Card from another EU country and have worked there for at least one year, you can enter Germany without a new visa and register locally. This facilitates the transfer of professional connections and allows you to change countries while retaining your status.

Repatriation is the return to the homeland of persons displaced abroad or their descendants, with the restoration of citizenship rights. In 2025, repatriation to Germany is possible in two ways:

Both programs have fairly strict requirements. If a foreigner meets them, they can expect simplified entry procedures and state support.

Late resettlers are descendants of ethnic Germans who lived in third countries. The conditions for repatriation to Germany are as follows:

Language skills can be confirmed through a free Sprachtest (with unlimited attempts) or by passing the “speaking” module of the Goethe-Institut’s B1 exam.

If no document confirming nationality is available, a Goethe-Institut certificate of German language proficiency at B1 level may be provided.

Spouses and direct descendants can be included in the application. Adult relatives must provide a certificate confirming knowledge of German at A1 level.

The list of additional documents varies — check with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BMI) about which documents are required in your case. The full package is sent there, and if approved, you will receive late resettler status.

Once the status is granted, you can apply for a visa and move. Upon arrival, you must register at the late resettler reception center and receive permanent residence. If your language skills are poor, it is recommended to bring a translator or a friend who can assist in communication with the authorities.

Under this program, you may be eligible for free German language courses, subsidized housing, and financial assistance. However, those who have already used this opportunity advise having some savings and applying for a work permit right away.

As with the German line, repatriation to Germany through the Jewish line is a right for anyone with such ancestry. The state regulates resettlement under the Residence Act, granting permanent residence.

Spouses and minor children can accompany the applicant under this program. If a relative can confirm their ancestry, they must apply independently.

The application form should be submitted at the consulate in the applicant’s country of residence. All additional information can be found on the relevant government website (bmi.bund.de).

As we have already mentioned, there are many Slavic-speaking migrants in this European country who moved from the post-Soviet space or Warsaw Pact states. And if the entire family has not relocated, then close relatives usually remain at home. These may be elderly parents, brothers and sisters, and other family members.

Maintaining connections with them is supported not only through communication in messengers and social networks but also through financial assistance. Money transfers are sent as birthday or holiday gifts, as support during difficult times, or as regular financial aid.

Sending money from Germany is made easy with the Korona mobile app. This convenient service allows you to send transfers from your smartphone at any time of the day or night. The money is delivered instantly.

Download the Korona app on the App Store or Google Play. You can calculate a transfer and check the conditions without entering personal data.

In our blog, we write a lot about life and work in European countries — you can explore all topics here.