What is Settlement permit for Blue Card holders?
The Settlement permit is an unlimited residence permit that allows you to live and work permanently in Germany. You do not need the Blue Card to obtain Settlement permit . However, the Blue Card helps you to obtain the Settlement permit more quickly.
The Settlement permit for Blue Card holders offers even more advantages compared to the temporary Blue Card. With the Settlement permit , unlike the Blue Card, you are no longer tied to your employer and enjoy many benefits, such as social security and the ability to move freely within the EU.
What are the advantages of Settlement permit?
The Settlement permit offers many advantages over the Blue Card. It is unlimited, so you no longer need to apply for extensions. You also have unrestricted access to the labor market in Germany. This means that you can change employer or become self-employed. These advantages make the Settlement permit particularly attractive for long-term planning in Germany.
Difference between Settlement permit and Blue Card
The EU Blue Card and the Settlement permit are two different Residence permit. The Blue Card is issued to highly qualified foreigners and is limited in time. It is linked to the employer and the specific job. The Blue Card is regulated by law in § 18g AufenthG.
The Settlement permit , on the other hand, is indefinite and therefore allows permanent settlement in Germany without being tied to specific working conditions. The Settlement permit is defined in § 9 AufenthG.
Requirements for Settlement permit with a Blue Card
Um die Niederlassungserlaubnis als Inhaber der Blauen Karte nach § 18c Abs. 2 AufenthG zu erhalten, müssen Sie bestimmte Voraussetzungen erfüllen. Zunächst müssen Sie seit mindestens 21 oder 27 Monaten im Besitz der Blauen Karte sein. Ohne Blaue Karte müssen Sie normalerweise 5 Jahre warten, bis Sie die Niederlassungserlaubnis beantragen dürfen.
Good to know: The unlimited Settlement permit must be applied for while your Blue Card is still valid. An application should be submitted to Foreigners' office no later than 8 weeks before the Blue Card expires or as soon as you are entitled to Settlement permit .
Settlement permit with Blue Card after 27 months
You can normally apply for an unlimited Settlement permit if you have held a Blue Card for 27 months. You must also provide proof,
- that you are still in a position to secure your livelihood and that of your dependants,
- that you are in employment in accordance with § 18g AufenthG,
- that you have paid contributions to a pension insurance scheme,
- that you have a basic knowledge of the legal and social order and living conditions in Germany
- and that you have a basic knowledge of German (language level A1).
Settlement permit with Blue Card after 21 months
If you have the Blue Card and sufficient knowledge of German (language level B1), you can apply for Settlement permit after just 21 months in Germany. This means that you can enjoy the benefits of a permanent residence permit even sooner.
Here too, the prerequisite is that you have been continuously employed subject to social security contributions during this period and meet the requirements in accordance with Section 18c (2) AufenthG.
Application to Settlement permit for blue card holders
The application for the Settlement permit must be submitted to the responsible Foreigners' office. It is advisable to make an appointment with the authority in good time, as the processing time may vary. With the Blue Card Settlement permit you can stay in Germany long-term.
How much does Settlement permit cost with a Blue Card?
The costs for Settlement permit are not always the same. They vary depending on your personal situation and the requirements you fulfill. Normally, obtaining the Settlement permit costs€113(Section 44 AufenthV).
However, if you have been classified as highly qualified in accordance with Section 18c (3) AufenthG, the fee increases to €147.
What documents do I need?
You generally need the following documents to apply for the Blue Card Settlement permit :
- Application for the Settlement permit
- Identity document (e.g. passport) & EU Blue Card
- Current biometric photo
- Proof of income & employment contract
- Rental or purchase agreement & health insurance
- Language certificate (A1 or B1) & basic knowledge of German law and social order
The best way to keep track of whether you have already collected all the documents is to download and print out our checklist.
Settlement permit for family members of Blue Card holders
There are special regulations for spouses of Blue Card holders that make it easier for them to stay in Germany. The Blue Card allows you to enter Settlement permit more quickly, which means that your spouse can also enter Settlement permit after just 3 years.
The requirements for this(Section 9 (3a) AufenthG) are that ...
- ... the spouse has a Settlement permit in accordance with § 18c and is able to support the entire family.
- ... you live together in a marital partnership.
- ... you have held a residence permit for 3 years.
- ... you work at least 20 hours per week.
The Settlement permit for family members of a person with a Blue Card thus offers several people prospects in Germany at the same time. This is because parents of a Blue Card holder also have advantages:
If you have been issued a Blue Card or settlement permit under Section 18c (3) AufenthG for the first time after March 1, 2024, your parents can come to Germany under Section 36 (3) AufenthG. This benefit also applies to the parents of your spouse if they live permanently in Germany.
Settlement permit vs. Blue Card: Which is better?
If you already have the Blue Card and are wondering whether the Settlement permit makes sense for you, you should ask yourself what your exact goals are. If you are planning to stay in Germany for a long time and have more flexibility in your professional life, it is definitely worth applying for the Settlement permit . It allows you to stay in Germany indefinitely without being tied to a specific employer.
The Blue Card, on the other hand, only offers a temporary residence permit, but you can obtain it immediately if you meet the requirements. So if you are entitled to the Blue Card, you should always apply for it, as this will get you to Settlement permit much faster.
From the Blue Card to the Settlement permit
The transition from the Blue Card to Settlement permit is relatively straightforward if you meet the necessary requirements. You can apply after 21 or 27 months. The advantage is that youcan stay in Germany permanently after receiving the Settlement permit without being tied to specific employment contracts. The EU Blue Card Settlement permit is an easy way to stay in Germany long-term.
FAQ - frequently asked questions about Settlement permit with the Blue Card
What are the requirements for Settlement permit with the EU Blue Card?
To obtain Settlement permit as a Blue Card holder in accordance with Section 18c (2) AufenthG, you must meet the following requirements:
- Blue card for 21 or 27 months
- Continued secure livelihood
- Employment according to § 18g AufenthG
- Payment into the statutory pension insurance scheme
- Sufficient knowledge of German (language level A1 or B1)
- Naturalization test
Can I obtain the Settlement permit after just 21 months with the Blue Card?
Yes, if you have sufficient knowledge of German, i.e. at least language level B1, you can apply for the Blue Card at Settlement permit after just 21 months.
What are the differences between the Settlement permit and the Blue Card?
The Blue Card is a temporary residence permit that binds you to an employer. As soon as you have the Settlement permit , you can stay in Germany indefinitely and may change jobs without needing permission from Foreigners' office .
Can I apply for the Settlement permit with the Blue Card after 27 months?
Yes, if you have held the Blue Card for 27 months and have basic language skills (at least A1), you can apply for Settlement permit after just 27 months.
When can I apply for the Settlement permit for family members of a Blue Card holder?
With the Blue Card, you can switch to Settlement permit more quickly in accordance with § 18c. This means that spouses of Settlement permit holders can apply for this after just 3 years. Your parents and those of your spouse can also come to Germany, provided you have received the Blue Card or Settlement permit Section 18c (3) AufenthG for the first time after March 1, 2024.
