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| Berlin Local Reference INFOrmation
Information for EU citizens and non-EU (US, Australian) on the residency permit: Who needs what, where to go, how to make the application and the documentation required.
Citizens of EU countries as well as those of the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland have the right to live and work in Germany as long as they hold a valid passport and they register with the appropriate office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt) of their local town hall. Non-EU nationals moving to Germany are covered by the Foreigners' Act Ausländergesetz. Here below is information for EU Nationals Moving to Germany and Non-EU Nationals Moving to Germany Relevant Immigration AuthoritiesThe offices dealing with registrations and residency permits are:
EU Nationals Moving to GermanyAll EU citizens plus those of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can legally live and work in Germany and may enter the country with a valid passport or photo identity card. No visa or work permit is required. Obligatory police registrationAll residents of Germany must register with the local "Bürgeramt" on moving in to a town. Registration must be made with the police (polizeiliche Anmeldung) at the local residency office (Einwohnermeldeamt or Bürgeramt) of the local town hall (Rathaus) within seven days or within a week of finding permanent accommodation. A registration card (polizeiliche Anmeldebestätigung) will then be issued. The following documents are required:
This document - the registration form - can be obtained free from the local registration office (Meldeamt or Meldestelle), bought at minimal cost from newsagents or downloaded from the local government site. It must be countersigned by the landlord. The confirmation of residency (Anmeldebestätigung) section of the form must be returned to the landlord following completion of the residency application at the local residency office.
Transitional regulations apply to citizens of countries which acceded to the EU in 2004 and 2007.
EU nationals: Right of residency certificateOn the basis of the EC Treaty, residence permits are not required for EU citizens who wish to reside in Germany. The following purposes of stay are regarded as "residence" under the EC Treaty:
At the same time as completing the police registration procedure, EU citizens can apply for a certificate stating the right of residence. This certificate has an unlimited validity and does not need to be renewed unless the holder's passport or ID number changes in the future. The following documents are required:
The non-EU spouse or legal partner and family (children and grandchildren, and parents) of an EU citizen have the same rights as any EU citizen in Europe and Germany however they require a visa if they come from a country that has visa requirements. Non-EU Nationals Moving to GermanyNon-EU nationals planning to stay in Germany for more than 90 days must obtain a residence title (Aufenthaltstitel) prior to moving to Germany. This can be done in conjunction with the required visa application. Exceptions apply to citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and the United States. Citizens of these countries may apply for the necessary permit after arrival in Germany.
Non-EU nationals: obligatory police registrationNon-EU nationals must initially follow the same obligatory police registration process (polizeiliche Anmeldung) as EU citizens:
The following documents are required:
This document - the registration form - can be obtained free from the local registration office (Meldeamt or Meldestelle), bought at minimal cost from newsagents or downloaded from the local government site. It must be countersigned by the landlord. The confirmation of residency (Anmeldebestätigung) section of the form must be returned to the landlord following completion of the residency application at the local residency office.
Non-EU nationals: Residence PermitTwo types of residency permit are:
Once police registration has been completed, a limited residence permit must be applied for within three months of arriving in Germany. This is obtained from the local authority for foreigners (Ausländerbehörde or Landeseinwohneramt). Most towns and cities have their own website which will have details of the local Landeseinwohneramt and the respective department for foreigners (Abteilung Ausländerangelegenheiten) as well as opening times and a list of fees. Some also have the relevant forms available to download and complete before applying in person.
Note: In some cases an unlimited settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) may be valid. The following documents are required:
Applications must be made in person and can involve a lengthy wait. Opening hours can be limited and the number of applications processed on one day limited. Check opening times before going and enquire if it is possible to make an appointment in advance. The validity of the limited residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) may vary depending on individual circumstances such as nationality, duration of employment contract or period of study. It is usually granted for two years and after five years an unlimited/permanent residence permit can be applied for. Permanent residence permits (Niederlassungserlaubnis)A Niederlassungserlaubnis is an unrestricted residence permit for permanent residency in Germany and was introduced in 2005. It can be applied for once certain conditions have been met. In some cases it is granted automatically on arrival in Germany to citizens who are accepted for political reasons or who have specific high qualifications to contribute to the German labour market, but usually it is issued once a person has completed an acknowledged period of residency in Germany. An unrestricted residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) is usually dependent on the following criteria being met:
Spouses are usually granted a settlement permit (Niederlassungerlaubnis) on the basis of their partner being employed and paying social security contributions. Children are generally granted a Niederlassungserlaubnis if they have been resident for at least five years.
Working Holiday ProgrammeA bilateral agreement exists for citizens of Australia, New Zealand and Japan aged between 18 and 30 to reside in Germany for up to 12 months as part of the Working Holiday Programme. Jobs may be taken for a period of no more than 90 days during the 12 month stay. For more information contact the nearest German mission beforehand.
RefugeesSpecial regulations exist for issuing settlement permits for recognised refugees. They can usually receive a settlement permit after three years. Refugees are dealt with by the Foreign Authorities for Refugees and Deportees in Berlin (Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten).
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