Already in Berlin?

Changing status, staying long term, citizenship and free help.

If something changed

• Studies finished: § 20 AufenthG gives up to 18 months to look for a job matching your degree.
• Job lost: talk to LEA before the permit expires. Since 1 July 2026 the former Bürgergeld is called Grundsicherungsgeld; entitlement depends on your permit, ask an advice centre.
• Switching route (for example Opportunity Card to skilled-worker permit) is normally done at LEA from inside Germany.

Staying long term

• Permanent residence: § 9 after 5 years; skilled workers after 3 years (36 months) with B1, or 24 months after training or study in Germany (§ 18c Abs. 1); Blue Card after 27 months with A1 or 21 months with B1 (§ 18c Abs. 2).
• Naturalisation: after 5 years; the 3-year route was abolished on 30 October 2025. Multiple nationality is allowed since 27 June 2024. Egyptian rules on keeping nationality: ask the Egyptian consulate in Berlin.

Free help in Berlin

• Willkommenszentrum Berlin: orientation in several languages.
• A lawyer for migration law for your individual case (this site cannot give one).
• Exploitation at work or housing: trade-union counselling (for example Beratungsstelle für Arbeitnehmerfreizügigkeit) and the Berlin anti-trafficking network; confirm current contacts.

This is general information only, not legal advice.