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Changing purpose, settlement permit, naturalisation after five years.

Change of purpose

Switching from, for example, student to employee, or freelance to Blue Card, needs a new application before your permit ends (fee for a change of purpose €98, § 45 AufenthV). Rules: Study, Skilled worker.

Settlement permit

See Skilled worker (§ 18c): 36/24 months, Blue Card 27/21 months. § 9 AufenthG is the general settlement rule.

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 The three-year fast naturalisation (§ 10 (3) StAG) was repealed as of 30 Oct 2025 (BGBl. 2025 I Nr. 256; asyl.net).
• Multiple citizenship has been allowed since 27 June 2024: you do not have to give up your US citizenship under German law. Check whether the US side has any effect for you; it normally does not.
• Check German ancestry first: you may already have a claim.

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.