Permanent settlement permit for EU Blue Card holders

If you hold an EU Blue Card, you will be issued a permanent settlement permit upon application subject to the following requirements:

You must have been employed subject to compulsory insurance, and
you must have basic knowledge of the German language.

If you have sufficient command of the German language, the period will be shortened to 21 months of employment.

Prerequisites

Application in writing
Please file an application with the Berlin Immigration Office. You will either receive an invitation for a personal interview or a notification of charges.
Please enclose with your application a copy of the documents specified in the section “Documents required”.
Possession of an EU Blue Card
No less than 33 months of employment and basic knowledge of the German language.
If you have basic knowledge of German, you must have been in employment for at least 33 months.
That employment must meet the requirements for the issue of an EU Blue Card.

Basic knowledge of the German language corresponds to Level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (GERR).
No less than 21 months of employment and sufficient command of the German language.
If you have sufficient command of the German language, the period will be shortened to a minimum of 21 months of employment.
That employment must meet the requirements for the issue of an EU Blue Card.

Sufficient command of the German language correspond to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (GERR).
Old-age provision
You must have paid contributions to the statutory Pension Fund for the duration of your employment (33 or 21 months).
Acceptable are as well contributions paid for entitlement to comparable benefits by another insurance or pension institution.
Secured means of subsistance including health insurance
Secured means of support include an adequate health insurance for you and the members of your family:
- If you have a statutory health insurance, you are adequately insured.
- If you have a private health insurance, please make sure that type and scope of your health insurance are adequate.
For more information, please read the leaflet “Information on adequate health insurance” (section “Forms”).
No criminal record
Even fines may prevent the granting of a permanent settlement permit.
Main residence in Berlin

Documents required

Valid passport, together with your EU Blue Card
1 current biometric photo
35mm x 45mm, frontal shot with neutral facial expression and closed mouth, looking straight into the camera, light background
Form “Antrag auf Erteilung einer Niederlassungserlaubnis”
Proof of income
- contract of employment
- current certificate issued by the employer (not older than 14 days) and
- salary statements for the last 6 months
Lease or proof of home ownership
Proofs of living space and of monthly rent or cost of housing of own property (house or apartment) have to be supplied.
Old-age provision
- Pension information notice issued by the German Pension Fund, or
- proof of entitlement to comparable benefits by another insurance or pension institution.
Health insurance
Please submit either the insurance card issued by your statutory health insurance or the insurance policy issued by a private health insurance company.
Proof of main residence in Berlin
- Certificate of registration at the main residence or
- lease and written confirmation of occupancy from the landlord
More on the topic in the section “More information”.