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Prerequisites

• You are a foreign family member of a German citizen (spouse or life partner, child or parent).
• You have had a residence permit to live with your family in Germany for three years.
• The family relationship with the German citizen continues.
• You can secure your livelihood without relying on public benefits.
• You have adequate health insurance.
• You have sufficient knowledge of German (level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Please note: If you suffer from an illness or disability that prevents you from acquiring language skills, you do not have to meet this requirement.
• You have no previous convictions.
• There is no interest in deporting you and you have not yet received a deportation order.

Documents required

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g. passport or passport substitute)
• Current biometric passport photo (45 x 35 mm)
• Evidence of securing a livelihood (for example: proof of income, pension certificate, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child benefit, maintenance payments).
  Please note: Proof of livelihood security can also be provided by third parties (for example: spouses, registered life partners, parents).
• Proof of health insurance coverage (for example: confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy)
• Proof of knowledge of the German language at least at level B1 (for example: language certificate, German school, training or university certificates, certificate of successful participation in the integration course)
  Please note: If there is an illness or disability that prevents the acquisition of language skills, this must be proven in an appropriate form (for example: specialist medical opinion, proof of residential care)
• For a third-country national parent of a German child: birth certificate of the child, proof of custody
• For spouses or registered life partners: marriage certificate/life partnership certificate

The documents and information must generally be presented in German. In individual cases, the immigration authorities may require less or more evidence.

Please note

• The processing fee must always be paid. If the application is rejected, the fee will not be refunded, not even partially. A new application can be submitted at any time.

Deadlines

• The application should be received by the immigration authorities at least 6 to 8 weeks before the current residence permit expires.


• The settlement permit is issued for an unlimited period. Only the electronic residence permit (eAT card) is issued for a limited period and must be renewed after the expiry of its validity.

Procedure

• The settlement permit must be applied for before your current residence permit expires.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you may not submit the application yourself, but need a representative (usually the application is submitted by the parents with custody).
• Find out whether your immigration authority allows you to submit your application online or whether it has a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment at the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to make an appointment.
• If you are under 18 years of age, you must be accompanied by at least one legal representative (usually a parent) when you appear in person. If you have joint custody, the parents must appear together at the authority and submit the application on your behalf.
  If one parent cannot appear in person, the other parent with custody must issue a written authorization to submit the application.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, preferably in the original, with you to the appointment).
• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken to produce a new electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The immigration authorities commission the Federal Printing Office to produce the eAT card. Once the process is complete, you will receive information and can collect the settlement permit from the responsible office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

Processing time

• The processing time usually takes 6 to 8 weeks and also depends on the completeness of the customer's documents.


• If documents are missing, the processing time will be extended.


• It takes about 4 to 6 weeks for the Federal Printing Office to produce the electronic residence permit.

Fees

• 56.50 euros for minor applicants


• 113.00 for adult applicants

Legal remedies

An appeal against the negative decision can be lodged with the authority within one month of notification.

Legal basis