Foreigners' affairs
Service description
Legal provisions for foreigners arise from international agreements, European Union law and national law. In national law, the Residence Act regulates the entry, residence, gainful employment and the promotion of integration of foreigners in Germany.
The Residence Act does not contain any conclusive regulations for the residence of foreigners in Germany. Insofar as a legal offence is not linked to a person's status as a foreigner, the general laws apply. Like nationals, foreigners must observe the legal requirements and prohibitions.
Entry is only permitted if it is in accordance with the Residence Act and the associated legal provisions.Integration is the right and duty of foreigners living here permanently. Efforts to integrate foreigners are supported by a basic integration programme (integration course)
What else should I know?
Regulations in other laws remain "unaffected". The Residence Act is therefore to be understood as a regulation of "general aliens law", which must take second place to the more specialised regulations. The following are examples of more specialised regulations: Freedom of Movement Act/EU, Asylum Procedure Act, Act on the Legal Status of Homeless Foreigners in the Federal Territory (HAG), Armed Forces Residence Act.