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A family sits together in the living room as a symbol of the benefits of Settlement permit
Published:

February 8, 2021

Updated:

February 3, 2026

11 Advantages of the Settlement permit

The Settlement permit more than just a document—it is your key to a secure future in Germany. Unlike a temporary residence permit, it offers you an unlimited right of residence and almost the same rights as a German citizen. Here you can find out in a concise and understandable way what 11 decisive advantages the Settlement permit has Settlement permit you and your family.
Written by:
Philipp Donath
LL.M. Business Law
Expertly reviewed by:
Christin Schneider
Expert for Immigration law

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Table of contents

The most important facts in brief

  • Permanent security: No one can expel you without serious cause.
  • Freedom: You can work wherever you want and travel more easily.
  • Family: It will become significantly easier for spouses and children to join their family members.
  • Finances: Banks will give you loans for a house or car more easily.
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The Settlement permit is a permanent right of residence that offers significantly more rights and freedoms than a simple residence permit. It protects against uncertainty and enables permanent integration in Germany.

Secure residence in Germany

A normal residence permit is often temporary and tied to a specific purpose (e.g., study or training). If the purpose or political situation in your home country changes, your stay could come to an end. With a Settlement permit , you Settlement permit the right to stay indefinitely. You no longer need to fear sudden deportation, as long as you do not commit any serious offenses.

Simplified family reunification

For many, this is the most important point: if you Settlement permit a Settlement permit , it is much easier to bring your family to join you.

  • Your family (spouse and minor children) will receive a visa under easier conditions than with temporary residence permits.
  • Living together in Germany will become much easier in bureaucratic terms.
Settlement permit Advantage Family

Better creditworthiness (credit rating)

Are you looking to buy a house, finance an apartment, or start a business? Banks carefully check how secure your residence is.

  • Loans Residence permit often denied to individuals with a temporary Residence permit .
  • With the Settlement permit , you Settlement permit considered a secure borrower.
  • The path to owning your own home or buying a car is open to you.

Travel authorization & mobility

Do you enjoy traveling? The Settlement permit it easier:

  • Schengen area: You can stay in other EU countries (Schengen) for up to 90 days without a visa.
  • Easy re-entry: You can return to Germany without any problems. You may travel to your country of origin at any time without losing your right of residence in Germany.
  • Note: Make sure you do not leave Germany for more than 6 months at a time, as otherwise your title may expire (except in special cases).

Please note: Persons who Settlement permit a Settlement permit and previously had a Residence permit the basis of protection status (Section 25 (2) of the Residence Act – recognized refugee and subsidiary protection, and Section 25 (3) of the Residence Act – prohibition of deportation) should not travel to their home country.

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Work without restrictions in Germany

With the Settlement permit , you Settlement permit no longer tied to an employer.

  • You can change jobs at any time.
  • You can become self-employed or work as a freelancer.
  • You no longer need approval from the Federal Employment Agency.
  • You can also take on mini-jobs or part-time positions, just as you wish.

No more earmarking

Your stay is no longer subject to conditions.

  • Have you lost your job? No problem, your right of residence remains unchanged.
  • Have you discontinued your studies? Your Settlement permit valid.
  • You are free to live your life as you choose.

Secure future planning

Plan your life in Germany for the long term. Whether you want to start a family, build a house, or make provisions for your retirement, permanent residency gives you the foundation you need. You no longer have to live from extension to extension.

No more waiting at the Foreigners' office

The constant waiting for appointments to extend residence permits has come to an end.

  • The Settlement permit valid indefinitely.
  • You save time, stress, and fees for constantly submitting new applications.
  • The Settlement permit valid indefinitely, but the card and the biometric data on the chip are only valid for 10 years. Therefore, the card must generally be renewed every 10 years, or whenever a new national passport is issued. The passport transfer does not require a new check, only the submission of biometric data and a signature.

Protection against political changes

Even if the laws change or the political situation in your country of origin is reassessed, your Settlement permit you. Your status in Germany is secure and cannot simply be revoked on the basis of political decisions.

When will I receive the Settlement permit?
We will check for you which legal regulation is the quickest and easiest way to obtain Settlement permit . Let us advise you!

Easier to obtain German citizenship

The Settlement permit often the most important preliminary step toward Naturalization. Why is that?

  • Avoid double testing: Many of the requirements for a Settlement permit e.g., secure livelihood, B1 language skills) are identical to those for Naturalization. If you have a Settlement permit, you have already passed most of the test.
  • Faster procedure: Since your file has Foreigners' office been cleared and checked by the Foreigners' office , the naturalization process can often run more smoothly.
  • Security: With your Settlement permit your pocket, you won't run out of time while waiting for your naturalization application to be processed.

Naturalization Settlement permit possible Naturalization Settlement permit

This is a technical but crucial point: a permanent Residence permit not a mandatory requirement for Naturalization, but in some cases requires a Settlement permit, as some paragraphs are Naturalization for Naturalization . These often include:

  • Section 22 (2) of the Residence Act (Afghan local staff)
  • Section 25 (3) of the Residence Act (prohibition of deportation)
  • § Section 25 (5) AufenthG

For you, this means that if you hold one of these titles, you will usually first have to Settlement permit to a Settlement permit in order to be eligible to apply for a German passport. The Settlement permit therefore not an option, but a requirement for becoming a German citizen.

FAQ - The most important questions and answers about the benefits of the Settlement permit

No! With very few exceptions, it is not possible to withdraw your indefinite Settlement permit !

Yes. With the Settlement permit , you Settlement permit finally travel freely. You can both leave and enter Germany, and you can travel to your home country! According to § 25 (2) AufenthG (Recognized Refugee and Subsidiary Protection) and § 25 (3) AufenthG (Prohibition of Deportation), you should not travel to your home country!

Yes, you can change your job in Germany without any problems and also set up your own company. You can work legally without any problems at Settlement permit . 

Yes, you can apply for and take out a loan with Settlement permit . Until now, it was difficult for you to apply for loans because your Residence permit was limited in time. With Settlement permit this situation has come to an end! 

Yes. Your permanent Residence permit alone Residence permit family reunification easier for you, as it is not restricted for family reunification.

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Christin Schneider
Christin Schneider
Head of Content
Christin Schneider is the Head of Content at Migrando. Having worked at the Foreigners' office for ten years, she has unique, first-hand practical experience. Thanks to her expertise, she is a sought-after source for ...
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Philipp Donath
Lawyer & Member of the Management Board
As an experienced lawyer (LL.M.), Philipp Donath brings his extensive legal expertise directly to content creation at Migrando . He is responsible for ensuring that contributions are legally checked and ...