The permanent residence permit according to §9 AufenthG depends on a number of conditions. It requires you to be in possession of a residence permit for at least five years. Only 50 % of the duration of studies or vocational trainings can be taken into account. In addition, you must provide evidence of language skills at the B1 level (exam certificate). Moreover, you have to provide proof of your employment with social security contributions for at least 60 months (5 years). Furthermore, you must have the financial means to sustainably cover your living expenses. This means that your employment contract should be permanent or valid for more than one year and you should no longer be in the probationary period.

Main requirements:

• In possession of a residence permit for 5 years
• Sufficient knowledge of the German language (B1)
• Sufficient financial means (including health insurance)
• Sufficient housing
• No criminal record

Disclaimer of the Foreigners' Registration Office Potsdam

The information on this website is merely intended as a guideline. There is no guarantee for the completeness and correctness concerning the information provided on this website. The completeness of the stated documents does not mean that the residence permit will be issued. Each case must be assessed individually. Therefore, the requested documents may vary.

Required documents:

• Application form - filled out and signed (issuance (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab) of a permanent residence permit)
• 1 new biometric passport photo
• Valid passport & copies (data sheet, entry visa, stamps, labels)
• Current health insurance membership certificate, not older than 3 months (no chip card)
• Current proof of residence (housing form from the Potsdam Foreigners' Registration Office (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab), filled out and stamped by the homeowner/landlord, homeowners must submit an excerpt from the land register)
• Residence registration from the City Hall (Bürgerservice)
• Current employment contract (should be valid for at least one year, no probation); if applicable, of the spouse
• Last 12 salary statements; if applicable, of the spouse
• Current employer's certificate of employment, if applicable, for an unlimited period of time
• Pension insurance record (Rentenversicherungsverlauf)
• Proof of sufficient knowledge of the German language (appropriate test certificate: “Zertifikat Integrationskurs”, Goethe-Institut, telc GmbH, ÖSD, TestDAF, ECL, DSH, DSD)
• For married couples: Marriage certificate - if necessary with translation and apostille
• Joint declaration of marriage (Öffnet in einem neuen Tab) for one another (one form per spouse)

Fees

• 113,00 Euro

Method of payment

• Debit card or cash