Already in Berlin?

Changing purpose, settlement permit, naturalisation after five years and what it means for Singapore citizenship.

Change of purpose

Switching from student to employee, or from Opportunity Card to Blue Card, needs a new application to the Berlin immigration office before your permit ends (fee €98, § 45 AufenthV). See Study, Skilled worker.

Settlement permit

Skilled workers after 36 months (24 after German training or study), Blue Card holders after 27 months (21 with B1 German) (§ 18c AufenthG; general rule § 9).

Naturalisation

• Regular naturalisation after 5 years of lawful residence (§ 10 StAG), with secure living costs, German at B1, knowledge of the legal system, no serious convictions. The three-year fast track was repealed as of 30 Oct 2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256; asyl.net).
• Germany has allowed multiple citizenship since 27 June 2024, but Singapore does not for adults: taking German citizenship has consequences for your Singapore citizenship, CPF and NS status. Read Citizenship and PR first.

Staying in touch with Singapore

• The Embassy of Singapore in Berlin (Voßstraße 17, 10117 Berlin) handles passports and consular help. Register your stay in the MFA eRegister.
• Voting from abroad: Berlin is not an overseas polling station, so you vote by post if registered as an overseas elector (ELD). Registration is possible all year via Singpass; you must have lived in Singapore for a total of at least 30 days in the three years before applying.

Benefits

The citizen's basic income (Bürgergeld) was replaced by the Grundsicherungsgeld on 1 July 2026. Claiming benefits can affect residence and naturalisation; ask an adviser before you apply.