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A man with a backpack stands at the airport in close-up. With a Settlement permit , you can travel visa-free to Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
Published:

March 14, 2025

Travel with the Settlement permit

Traveling with a Settlement permit is very easy for you. However, you need to be careful about the duration of the trip and the associated time limit . In this article, we show you all the travel options and why the question of visa requirements is crucial. So you can travel relaxed and without worrying about your residence permit
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The most important facts in brief

  • If you have a Settlement permit , you can stay in the Schengen states without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without working there. 
  • It is possible to travel to your home country. However, if you have protection status, you must register this with the Foreigners' office . If you do not inform the authorities, your Residence permit or Settlement permit may be withdrawn if you travel to your home country.  
  • 60-year-olds who have lived legally in Germany for more than 15 years can stay outside Germany for 12 months. After 12 months, however, the Settlement permit expires.
  • The Settlement permit is not an independent travel document. You always need a valid passport from your country of origin to travel! This also applies to travel within the EU.

Can I travel with a Settlement permit ?

Travel with a Settlement permit is generally possible for you. There are restrictions on the duration of the trip, which countries you can travel to visa-free and which countries require a visa. It is important that you remember the deadlines for the duration of your trip when you have a Settlement permit and stick to them.

Which countries can I travel to visa-free with a Settlement permit ?

You can travel to all countries. However, there are differences when it comes to visas. In Europe there is the Schengen system of several visa-free countries. In these Schengen states you can stay without a visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. without a visa.

In this graphic you can see all the countries in Europe where you can enter visa-free with a Settlement permit .
With a Settlement permit , you can travel visa-free to all countries in the Schengen area
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Can I travel to the EU with a Settlement permit ?

You can travel to the EU with a Settlement permit for 90 days within a period of 180 days travel and stay. The rules are the same as in the Schengen system. The difference between Schengen and the EU is that the Schengen area also includes countries such as Switzerland and Norway. However, these two countries are not members of the EU. You generally need a Residence permit and a valid passport to travel.

Example

You travel to Italy with a Settlement permit and a passport to visit your family there. You are allowed to stay there for a total of 90 days within 180 days. You do not have permission to work there.

Can I travel to the USA with a Settlement permit ?

You can travel to the USA with a Settlement permit . However, the Settlement permit alone does not entitle you to enter the country. You must first the state Esta (electronic travel authorization) in advance. The Esta is valid for 2 years and costs 21 $ (just under 20 €). You can also travel to the USA for 90 days during this period. In addition to the Esta, you need a valid passport. As an American, you are exempt from the visa requirement.

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Can I travel to my home country with a Settlement permit ?

In principle, you can use the Settlement permit to travel to your home country. If you have a protection status, you must notify the Foreigners' office before traveling to your home country.. If you do not inform the authorities and travel to your home country anyway, then according to § 47b AufenthG your Settlement permit can be withdrawn.

Protection status means that you have been granted refugee statusa subsidiary protection or a prohibition of deportation has been recognized due to flight from war or other humanitarian or political reasons. The paragraphs concerned are: §§ Sections 25 (1), (2), (3), Section 26 (3) and, in some situations, Section 26 (4) AufenthG (if you were previously in possession of Section 25 (2) Alternative 2 or Section 25 (3) AufenthG).

The reason for the asylum application (war, political persecution, etc.) remains the protection status even after the Settlement permit has been issued. It is the reason why you were accepted by the Federal Republic of Germany. It is therefore also important that you contact the responsible Foreigners' office if you travel to your home country so that they are informed.

Attention

You travel to your home country with a Settlement permit at your own risk. There is no guarantee that the German state will help you in the event of arrest or other reprisals by your home country. It is therefore your free decision to stay in the country from which you have fled.

Requirements for traveling with a Settlement permit

For all countries outside the Schengen area you need a visa. You are also exempt from this if you fulfill the requirements of the Settlement permit does not exempt you. Visas in non-Schengen countries are valid for a shorter period than the 6 months permitted in the Schengen area. You must comply with the visa conditions in the respective country

It is important that you do not exceed the period of 6 months absence must be observed. This time limit can only be waived if you have either lived in Germany legally for 15 years with a Residence permit and have reached the age of 60. In this case, the time limit of 12 months' absence applies. If you do not observe the deadlines, in the worst case you could have your Settlement permit revoked.

"If you are planning a long absence from Germany, contact the Foreigners' office responsible for you beforehand. Nothing is more annoying than if you fail to communicate, exceed the period of absence and run into problems under residence law because you did not inform the Foreigners' office beforehand."
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Christin Schneider
Expert in Immigration law

Traveling with a Settlement permit - it's that easy!

The Traveling with a Settlement permit is basically easy. The conditions for a Settlement permit are practically the same as for a temporary Residence permit. Only people over the age of 60 and with 15 years of legal residence have the advantage of being able to stay abroad for longer.  We at Migrando have many years of experience in the Accompanying clients on the way to a Settlement permit and in cooperation with immigration authorities. Let's take your path to a permanent Residence permit together!
Do you have any questions?
Would you also like to enjoy the luxury of visa-free entry to 189 countries worldwide and become a German citizen? Do you still have questions about Naturalization? Get in touch with us! Our team will be happy to help you with any question!

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about traveling with a Settlement permit

In principle, you can travel anywhere with a Settlement permit . In the Schengen states you can travel for a period of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but this is not possible This is not possible in non-Schengen countries. It is therefore important for you to check the respective country's regulations before you travel!

No. You must adhere to the specified period of 6 months and must then return to Germany. Otherwise you risk having your Settlement permit revoked. If you have reached the age of 60 and have been living legally in Germany for 15 years, the following applies the 12-month period applies.

Yes. Your Settlement permit is also valid in all other EU countries as a recognized Residence permit for Germany. However, you are not allowed to work there, only to stay and go on vacation. The Settlement permit is not a substitute for a passport. You need a valid passport to travel!

Yes. You can travel to England with a Settlement permit . However, you will need a passport and an electronic travel authorization (ETA) for short stays. A visa is required for stays over 6 months. Great Britain is not in the Schengen area and the length of stay requirements for Great Britain apply and not the 6-month duration for the Schengen states.

Yes, you can travel to your home country with a Settlement permit and a valid passport. However, if you have a protection status, you must register your trip with the Foreigners' office beforehand. If you travel without informing the authorities, your Settlement permit may be withdrawn. The protection status also applies to the Settlement permit.

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Christin Schneider
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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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Valentin Radonici
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