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Prerequisites

• You must be registered as having your main residence in Hamburg and have a secure residence status.
• The responsible authority will inform you of any further requirements you must meet to obtain an electronic residence permit. You can also check this yourself using the online service "Residence Permit Hamburg" (see links).

Documents required

• Your valid national passport or passport replacement or ID card replacement.
• If applicable, your current residence permit or proof of current right of residence.
• Please feel free to use your debit card instead of cash to pay the fees.
• If you receive benefits from the Jobcenter or basic security, please bring your benefit notice with you.
• Have you already used the online service? Please bring all uploaded documents with you in their original form.
• A recent biometric passport photo.
  • Starting May 1, 2025, you must submit your passport photo electronically. You can have the photo taken on-site or bring a QR code, which the photo studio will provide you with when the photo is taken.
• If further documents are required, the authority will contact you.

Please note

• The blocking hotline 116 116 is always available. It is free of charge from German landlines.
  Charges may apply from mobile networks and from abroad.
• If you would like to apply for an electronic residence permit (eAT), you can use an existing self-registration terminal (speed capture terminal) to collect the necessary biometric data (photo, signature, fingerprints).
  Please allow a few extra minutes before your appointment to enter your data.
  Note: You will not receive a printout of the digital photo. You do not need to bring a passport photo with you when using the self-registration terminal. The cost is 6 euros.
  Please speak to the processing department afterwards.

Deadlines

The application deadline is 4 months before the validity expires.

Procedure

You will receive an electronic residence permit if you have applied for the granting, transfer or issuance of a residence permit, a Swiss residence permit, a residence card or a permanent residence card and the authority has approved this application.

• You contact the office responsible for you and submit your application.
• The district office will give you an appointment to submit your application.
• You come at the specified time and submit your application.
  • The district office checks the requirements for granting the permit.
  • You pay the fees.
  • If the decision is positive, your biometric data will be recorded.
• When you submit your application, you will receive a letter (PIN letter) containing a so-called transport PIN as well as important information about the online ID function.
• You confirm receipt of the unopened PIN letter.
• You pay the fees.
• You will receive a collection slip with which you can collect the electronic residence permit.
• After you have been informed that your electronic residence permit is ready for collection, collect it from the office where you applied for it.

If you want to complete the process online:

• You use the online service Residence Permit Hamburg (see links). There you enter your personal information and upload the required documents.
• After the responsible office has reviewed your documents, they will contact you to schedule an appointment. You will have the option to book an appointment in the future.
• The responsible authority will check whether you meet all the requirements before your first appointment.
• The remaining procedural steps correspond to those of the written procedure.

If you have recovered or received your residence permit, you cannot have it unblocked by calling the blocking hotline. You must visit the immigration office in person.
However, the eAT card can only be unlocked if a new eAT card has not yet been ordered from the Federal Printing Office.

Processing time

The processing time is approximately 4 to 8 weeks.


Depending on the order volume at Bundesdruckerei GmbH, it may take a long time after the application has been made before the electronic residence permit is finally issued.

Fees

Residence permits / residence cards / permanent residence cards / residence permits are usually subject to fees.

• Residence permit, EU Blue Card or ICT card:
  
  
  
  • First issue: 100 EUR
  
  
  • Extension: 93-96 EUR.
  
  
  • Change of purpose: 98 EUR.
  
  


• Mobile ICT card
  
  
  
  • First issue: 80 EUR
  
  
  • Extension: 70 EUR.
  
  


• Residence permit (depending on the legal basis): 34.50 - 147 EUR.


• EU permanent residence permit: 109 EUR


• Issuance of a residence card, a permanent residence card, a GB residence document or a GB cross-border commuter residence document: Fee equal to the fee charged for issuing identity cards to Germans.

Legal remedies

You can lodge an objection in writing or for the record with the office that issued the decision.

Legal basis

• § 4 Residence Act (AufenthG)
  


• § 78 Residence Act (AufenthG)
  


• §§ 44 ff. Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
  


• § 57a Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)
  


• Annex D14a to the Residence Ordinance (AufenthV)