If you have an academic degree and are working or wish to work in Germany as a highly qualified specialist, you can obtain a settlement permit in special individual cases, even immediately after your arrival.

You are considered highly qualified, for example, if you work as a scientist with special expertise or if you have at least two years of professional experience as a teacher in a prominent position.

The settlement permit is an independent right of residence that is not dependent on the original purpose of your stay. It entitles you to pursue gainful employment and is unlimited in terms of time and location.

Please note that the immediate granting of a settlement permit is an exception. Being highly qualified is not in itself sufficient to qualify as a special case. Rather, it depends on an overall assessment of all the facts.

• You have an academic degree, which means you have
  • a German university degree,
  • a recognized foreign university degree, or
  • a foreign university degree that is comparable to a German university degree.
    Please note:

If you would like to work in a regulated profession (for example, in academic healthcare professions), your foreign university degree must be recognized by the relevant authority.

• You belong to the group of highly qualified professionals, which means that you are, for example,
  • a scientist with specialised knowledge,
  • a teacher in a prominent position,
  • a research assistant in a prominent position.

Please note:

This list is not exhaustive.

Specialized knowledge is deemed to exist if you have a special qualification or above-average knowledge in a specific field. This is usually the case if a field of research can be identified in which you have acquired special expertise (e.g., through successful projects, research projects, or publications). The field in which you work is irrelevant.

The outstanding function for teaching staff is held by chair holders and institute directors.

Research assistants are considered to have an outstanding role if they independently develop and carry out projects beyond their usual duties, or if they lead or are expected to lead scientific departments, project groups, or working groups. The level of salary is not relevant in this case.

• You have an employment contract or a concrete job offer.
• You can demonstrate at least two years of professional experience.
• In addition, the immigration authorities must issue a positive prognosis that you are likely to integrate into German (legal and social) life (e.g., if you have German language skills, have previously stayed in Germany, or have international experience).
• You are able to support yourself (and your family) independently, i.e., without claiming public benefits.
• There are no reasons relating to public safety and order that would prevent you from staying in Germany.

• You must apply for a settlement permit before your current residence permit expires.
• Find out whether your immigration office allows you to apply online or provides a special application form.
• If the application can only be submitted in person, make an appointment with the immigration office. If you apply online, the immigration office will contact you after receiving your application to arrange an appointment.
• During the appointment, your identity and documents will be checked (please bring your documents, preferably the originals, with you to the appointment).
• Depending on the federal state, the approval of another authority may be required for the settlement permit to be issued.

• If your application is approved, your fingerprints will be taken for the production of the settlement permit in the form of an electronic residence permit (eAT card).
• The Foreigners' Registration Office will commission the production of the eAT card from the Federal Printing Office. Once it has been produced, you will be notified and can collect the eAT card from the relevant office. The eAT card must always be collected in person.
• If your application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice.

• For gainful employment in a non-regulated profession, you can find further information on how your foreign university degree is assessed in Germany at https://anabin.kmk.org/anabin.html for more information on how your foreign university degree will be evaluated in Germany. In addition, you can have your degree individually evaluated by the Central Office for Foreign Education at https://www.kmk.org/zab/zentralstellefuer-auslaendisches-bildungswesen.html to prove its comparability with a German university degree.
• No knowledge of the German language needs to be proven in order to obtain a settlement permit.
• The granting of a settlement permit is at the discretion of the competent immigration authority. Applicants are therefore only entitled to a decision that is free of discretionary errors.
• The procedure is usually conducted in German.
• A settlement permit may expire if the holder stays outside Germany for more than six months without first coordinating this stay abroad with the immigration office.
• All information provided to the immigration authorities should be correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief so that the matter can be processed without major delays.
• Incorrect or incomplete information can slow down the process and be detrimental to those affected. In serious cases, incorrect or incomplete information that is not completed or corrected in time to the immigration authorities can result in the withdrawal of residence rights already granted, a fine, imprisonment for up to three years, or expulsion from the federal territory.
• Due to the complexity of residence law, this description is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding.

• Appeal against the decision of the immigration authorities within one month of notification.
• File a lawsuit with the court specified in the appeal decision if the appeal is not upheld.

Application deadline:

Duration (if range): 6 to 8

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The application should be received by the immigration office no later than six to eight weeks before your visa or current residence permit expires.

Note (for further information on the deadline):

The settlement permit is issued for an indefinite period. Only the electronic residence permit (eAT card) is issued for a limited period and must be renewed after it expires.

Duration (range): approx. 6 to 8

Note for further information on processing time:

The processing time may vary depending on the workload of the immigration office.

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

The immigration office responsible for the applicant's place of residence is responsible for processing the application.

• Recognized and valid identity document (e.g., passport or passport substitute)
• Visa, if required for entry
• Current biometric passport-size photo (45 x 35 mm)
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses (e.g., proof of income, employment contract, equity capital, pension statement, proof of receipt of benefits such as parental or child allowance, alimony payments)
• Proof of health insurance coverage (e.g., confirmation of health insurance coverage or insurance policy)
• Proof of special qualifications or professional experience (e.g., training certificates, certificates, employment references)
• Employment contract or binding job offer
• If you are pursuing a regulated profession:
  • Professional license (e.g., license to practice medicine, professional license)
  • Recognition of foreign university degree by the competent authority

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

Cost (fixed): €147.00

Note: Additional fees may apply for the issuance of a settlement permit in the form of an electronic residence permit, which can also be used as electronic proof of identity.

The timing and form of fee collection and payment vary depending on the authority.

Lower fees may apply for Turkish citizens.

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance required: Yes