Germany · living · guide
Germany permanent settlement: requirements
This guide explains how to get a permanent settlement permit or an EU long-term residence permit in Germany.
MIGRAGENT wrote this from 20 requirements on the official page, each checked against the government's own wording. Updated 2026-10-18. Source: https://www.bamf.de/EN/Themen/MigrationAufenthalt/ZuwandererDrittstaaten/Migrathek/Niederlassen/niederlassen-node.html
Who can apply
You can apply for an open-ended residence permit if you have held a residence title in Germany for at least five years without interruption. To get an EU long-term residence permit, you must also have held a residence title for at least five years.[1][2]
Skilled workers and researchers can apply for a settlement permit after three years. You must have held your residence title for three years, hold a job, and have paid compulsory pension contributions for 36 months. You also need sufficient knowledge of German.[3][4]
If you hold an EU Blue Card, you can get a settlement permit faster. You must have basic German knowledge, appropriate employment, and pay statutory pension contributions for 27 months.[5][6]
Family members of German nationals can apply after three years. You must have held a residence permit for three years, continue the family unit in Germany, and have sufficient knowledge of German. If your spouse has a skilled worker settlement permit, you can get a settlement permit after three years if you work at least 20 hours per week.[7][8]
What you need to show
You must show that you can support yourself and your family. You must ensure your subsistence through regular income. This regular income requirement also applies to the EU long-term residence permit.[9][10]
You must have paid pension contributions. For a standard settlement permit, you must have paid contributions to a pension insurance scheme for at least 60 months.[11][12]
You must prove your German language skills. For the EU long-term residence permit, you need adequate knowledge of German at level B1.[13][14]
You must understand German society. You need a basic knowledge of the legal and social system and the way of life in Germany. This is also required for the EU long-term residence permit.[15][16]
You must have a suitable place to live. You need adequate accommodation for yourself and the family members who live with you. This housing requirement also applies to the EU long-term residence permit.[17][18]
You must have the right professional permits. You must hold all the permits required to practice your occupation in the long term.[19][20]
Checklist
- Hold a residence title for the required time, such as five years for a standard permit.[1][2]
- Earn a regular income to support yourself and your family.[9][10]
- Pay pension contributions for the required number of months.[11][12]
- Prove you have adequate German language skills up to level B1.[13][14]
- Show basic knowledge of the German legal and social system.[15][16]
- Provide adequate housing for you and your family.[17][18]
- Hold all necessary permits to practice your job in the long term.[19][20]
Questions people ask
How long must I live in Germany to get a standard settlement permit?
You must hold a residence title in Germany for at least five years without interruption.[1]
What are the requirements for skilled workers?
You must hold a residence title for three years, hold a job, pay compulsory pension contributions for 36 months, and have sufficient German knowledge.[3][4]
Can I get a settlement permit with an EU Blue Card?
Yes. You must have basic German knowledge, appropriate employment, and pay statutory pension contributions for 27 months.[5][6]
What level of German do I need for EU long-term residence?
You must have adequate knowledge of German corresponding to level B1.[13][14]
How many months of pension contributions must I pay?
You must pay contributions to a pension insurance scheme for at least 60 months to get a standard settlement permit.[11][12]
What are the rules for spouses of skilled workers?
If your spouse has a skilled worker settlement permit, you must work at least 20 hours per week to get a settlement permit after three years.[8]
This explains what one official page says. It is not legal advice, and the page itself is the authority. Rules change; the wire reports it when they do.