Applying for a settlement permit for holders of an EU Blue Card

• You must apply for a settlement permit before the validity of your current EU Blue Card expires.
• Find out whether your foreigners authority allows you to apply online or has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, please arrange an appointment with your local immigration office. If you apply online, the foreigners authority will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment at the Foreigners' Registration Office, your identity and supporting documents will be checked (please bring your documents to the appointment, preferably in the original).
• If your application is approved, the immigration authority will arrange for the settlement permit to be produced by the Bundesdruckerei (in the form of an electronic residence permit, or eAT card for short). Your fingerprints will be taken for this purpose.
• After completion, you will receive information and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. As the eAT card is linked to an online ID function, you must always collect it in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

The foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

• You have a valid EU Blue Card (residence permit).
• Within the scope of the EU Blue Card you have been granted, you have worked in a job that corresponds to your qualifications and received a salary that corresponds to the applicable annual minimum gross salary (in 2022, for example, this is 56,400.00 euros; for so-called shortage occupations, the limit in 2022 is 43,992.00 euros).
• You would like to continue working at a job that matches your qualifications and pays the corresponding minimum salary.
• You can earn a living for yourself and your family without claiming public benefits.
• You have adequate health insurance cover.
• You have a permanent work permit.
• If you work in a regulated profession, you must be in possession of the required professional licence (e.g. licence to practise or professional permit).
• If you wish to obtain a settlement permit after 21 months:
  • You were in possession of the EU Blue Card for a period of 21 months and can provide evidence of employment subject to compulsory insurance for this period.
  • You have sufficient knowledge of the German language at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• If you wish to obtain a settlement permit after 33 months:
  • You were in possession of the EU Blue Card for a period of 33 months and can provide evidence of employment subject to compulsory insurance for this period.
  • You have a basic knowledge of German at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• You have a basic knowledge of the German legal and social system.
  Please note: Orientation courses offered by the BAMF impart this knowledge.
• You have sufficient living space for yourself and the members of your household.
• You have no previous convictions.
• There is no interest in deporting you

• Recognised and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric photo in passport format (45 x 35 mm)
• Employment contract or, in the event of a change of employer, a binding job offer
• Proof of past employment subject to compulsory insurance for a period of 33 or 21 months (including insurance contributions paid, for example by submitting the pension information / pension insurance history)
• Proof of means of subsistence (e.g. proof of income, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child benefit, maintenance payments)
• Proof of health insurance cover (e.g. confirmation of health insurance cover or insurance policy)
• Proof of German language proficiency at level A1 (after 33 months) or B1 (after 21 months) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (e.g. language certificate, German school, training or university certificates).
• Professional authorisation when exercising a regulated profession (e.g. licence to practise or professional permit)
• Proof of basic knowledge of German law and social order (e.g. certificate of successful participation in an orientation course and successful completion of an orientation test)
  Please note: This proof may be waived if you have an illness or disability that prevents you from acquiring this knowledge. This must be proven in a suitable form (e.g. by means of a specialist medical statement, proof of reasons that make it permanently impossible or unreasonable to acquire the knowledge).
• Proof of sufficient living space (rental or purchase contract that provides information about the living space)

The documents and information must always be submitted in German.

In individual cases, the immigration authority may require fewer or more documents.

• § Section 44 number 3 Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)

• § Section 18c (2) Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 18b (2) Residence Act (AufenthG)
• § Section 9 (2) sentence 1 numbers 2 and 4 to 6, 8 and 9, sentences 2 to 4 and 6 Residence Act (AufenthG)

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authority
• Action before the court named in the notice of objection if the objection is not upheld

Forms available: Yes

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance required: Yes

• The minimum salary limits are published annually at the end of the year for the following year in the Federal Gazette by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs and are also updated on the relevant websites.
• If the requirements for extending the EU Blue Card are met, the settlement permit can also be issued in addition to the EU Blue Card. It is possible to hold a settlement permit and an EU Blue Card at the same time.
• The procedure is conducted in German.
• Make sure that the information you provide is correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief. This is the only way the Immigration Office can process your application without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the procedure and be to your disadvantage. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in good time vis-à-vis the immigration authority can result in the cancellation of residence rights already granted, a fine, a prison sentence of up to three years or expulsion from the federal territory.

• Settlement permit issued to holders of an EU Blue Card
• EU Blue Card holders can apply for a settlement permit after 33 months if they have been in employment subject to compulsory insurance during this time and can communicate in simple German (language level A1).
• If you have sufficient knowledge of German (language level B1), the period is reduced to 21 months.
• A salary corresponding to the minimum annual gross salary must have been received over the entire period.
• They must be able to support themselves and members of their household without claiming public benefits.
• In the case of regulated professions, the licence required for the permanent exercise of the profession must be available.
• Basic knowledge of the German legal and social system is required.
• Sufficient living space for yourself and members of your household must be proven.
• Responsible: the foreigners authority responsible for the applicant's place of residence