Niederlassungserlaubnis and Daueraufenthalt-EU in Berlin: staying permanently
The German version of this page has been changed, this translation has not. Please rely on the German page.
The Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement permit) and the Daueraufenthalt-EU (EU long-term residence permit) allow you to stay in Germany permanently, without time limit.
The requirements always include: a residence permit for a certain period, secured income, sufficient German, and no security concerns. How long you need to have lived here, and which German level you need, depends on the specific path.
The application goes to the Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA, State Office for Immigration) in Berlin, only online via service.berlin.de. This page is information, not legal advice — have your individual case checked by the LEA or a lawyer.
Not sure whether this route fits you or what comes first? We assess your situation for free and name the right contact points.
Reply by email, usually within two working days. Free, no legal advice in individual cases.
- Identify the applicable pathThe general rule (§ 9 Abs. 2 AufenthG) applies to most residence-permit holders after 5 years.
- Check requirementsDepending on the path: years of residence, months of pension contributions, German level (usually A1 to C1 depending on the path), basic knowledge of the legal and social order (an Integrationskurs, integration course, usually covers this), secured livelihood, adequate housing, no relevant criminal record.
- Submit application onlineIn Berlin, the application is made exclusively online via service.berlin.de, using the Quick-Check tool. After a positive review, you receive an appointment. Plan at least 4 weeks between application and the physical permit being issued.
- Pay the feeThe fee has two parts (processing and issuance) and depends on the group, ranging from around 27.60 euros to 147 euros total. The processing fee is not refunded once the substantive review has begun, even if you withdraw the application.
- The processing fee is not refunded once the LEA has begun the substantive review of your application, even if you later withdraw it.
- Receiving benefits from the Jobcenter or Sozialamt generally contradicts the eligibility requirements for the general Niederlassungserlaubnis and for the Daueraufenthalt-EU, because these require a secured livelihood.
- How long you may leave Germany without losing your settlement permit is not covered in the available sources — no confirmed information is available for this. Clarify this with the LEA before any longer stay abroad.
In depth · Legal basis, figures and practice – for counsellors and professionals
General rule (§ 9 Abs. 2 AufenthG)
The Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement permit) is an unlimited residence title (unbefristeter Aufenthaltstitel, § 9 Abs. 1 AufenthG). After 5 years with a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis): secured livelihood, at least 60 months of pension contributions (or comparable provision), no public-security concerns, permission to work plus other required permits, adequate knowledge of German per § 2 AufenthG (usually B1, on a scale from A1 to C1 depending on context), basic knowledge of the legal and social order and of living conditions in Germany (an Integrationskurs, per § 9 Abs. 2 Satz 2, is deemed to satisfy this), and adequate living space. Per § 9 Abs. 3, spouses can rely on their partner meeting requirements 3, 5, and 6.
Daueraufenthalt-EU (§ 9a AufenthG)
Available after 5 years with any residence title: secured livelihood through fixed and regular income, adequate German, basic knowledge of the legal and social order, no security concerns, adequate housing. Titles for the purpose of study or vocational training (§§ 16a, 16b) and other temporary-purpose titles are excluded. Per the Landesamt für Einwanderung, time spent for study or training purposes counts only at half value toward the qualifying period. This path, too, requires 60 months of pension contributions or a comparable private pension provision.
Skilled workers (Fachkräfte, § 18c Abs. 1 AufenthG)
After 3 years holding a title under § 18a, § 18b, § 18d, or § 18g: 36 months of pension contributions and adequate German (reduced to 2 years / 24 months after completing German vocational training or study).
Blue Card EU (§ 18c Abs. 2 AufenthG)
27 months of employment with pension contributions at German level A1, or 21 months at German level B1.
Highly qualified specialists (§ 18c Abs. 3 AufenthG)
Immediate settlement permit is possible for highly qualified scientists and senior teaching staff in special cases.
Spouses of German citizens (§ 28 Abs. 2 AufenthG)
After 3 years: continuing marital cohabitation, no grounds for expulsion (Ausweisungsinteresse), German level B1.
Self-employed people (§ 21 Abs. 4 Satz 2 AufenthG)
After 3 years of self-employment: expectation that the business will remain viable, secured livelihood including for dependents, no security concerns. This is a discretionary decision by the authority.
Other humanitarian and subsidiary-protection titles (§ 26 Abs. 4 AufenthG)
It is a discretionary decision, subject to § 9 Abs. 2 Satz 1. No fee applies to this group.
Procedure in Berlin
Application only online via service.berlin.de, using the Quick-Check tool. After a positive review, you get an appointment. Plan at least 4 weeks between application and issuance of the physical permit.
Fees
The processing fee is non-refundable once the substantive review has begun, even upon withdrawal.
Open points not evaluated here
Not evaluated in the available sources: loss of the settlement permit through residence abroad (§ 51 AufenthG), the settlement permit for children (§ 35 AufenthG), and the settlement permit for former German citizens.
- What is “Niederlassungserlaubnis and Daueraufenthalt-EU in Berlin” about?
- Who can get an unlimited settlement permit after Berlin, which requirements apply for which group, and what it costs at the Landesamt für Einwanderung.
- Which deadlines and figures matter?
- 5 years residence permit, 60 months of pension contributions: General Niederlassungserlaubnis (§ 9 Absatz 2 Satz 1 Nummer 1 und 3 AufenthG)
- 5 years of residence with a residence title: Daueraufenthalt-EU permit; per the LEA, time spent in study or vocational training counts at half value (§ 9a Absatz 2 Satz 1 Nummer 1 AufenthG; service.berlin.de Dienstleistung 324281)
- 3 years holding a title and 36 months of pension contributions (2 years and 24 months after vocational training or study in Germany): Niederlassungserlaubnis for skilled workers (titles under §§ 18a, 18b, 18d, 18g AufenthG) (§ 18c Absatz 1 AufenthG)
- 27 months of employment and contributions (21 months with German level B1): Niederlassungserlaubnis for Blue Card EU holders (§ 18c Absatz 2 AufenthG)
- 3 years residence permit: Niederlassungserlaubnis for family members of German citizens (with continuing cohabitation, German level B1) (§ 28 Absatz 2 Satz 1 AufenthG)
- What should I do first?
- Identify the applicable path: The general rule (§ 9 Abs. 2 AufenthG) applies to most residence-permit holders after 5 years.
- Check requirements: Depending on the path: years of residence, months of pension contributions, German level (usually A1 to C1 depending on the path), basic knowledge of the legal and social order (an Integrationskurs, integration course, usually covers this), secured livelihood, adequate housing, no relevant criminal record.
- Submit application online: In Berlin, the application is made exclusively online via service.berlin.de, using the Quick-Check tool. After a positive review, you receive an appointment. Plan at least 4 weeks between application and the physical permit being issued.
- What should I watch out for?
- The processing fee is not refunded once the LEA has begun the substantive review of your application, even if you later withdraw it.
- Receiving benefits from the Jobcenter or Sozialamt generally contradicts the eligibility requirements for the general Niederlassungserlaubnis and for the Daueraufenthalt-EU, because these require a secured livelihood.
- How long you may leave Germany without losing your settlement permit is not covered in the available sources — no confirmed information is available for this. Clarify this with the LEA before any longer stay abroad.
Got a question about immigration or integration? Ask your question here! – we reply personally by email, usually within two working days. No legal advice in individual cases.