The German residence permit (German: Aufenthaltstitel) is a document issued to non-EU citizens (so-called third-country nationals) living in Germany.
Prior to 1 September 2011, residence permits and additional provisions were affixed to pages inside the passport (in sticker form). Today, residence permits are issued as ID-1 (credit card size) plastic cards and the additional provisions are printed on a separate sheet of paper, so that residents have to possess (but not carry around) up to three different documents: a passport from their country of citizenship, their residence permit, and the supplementary sheet (if applicable). Carrying passports and residence cards is only compulsory when crossing borders. Within Germany, it is sufficient to know where they are and to show them to the police within a reasonable amount of time, when requested.
Prior to 1 September 2011, residence permits and additional provisions were affixed to pages inside the passport (in sticker form). Today, residence permits are issued as ID-1 (credit card size) plastic cards and the additional provisions are printed on a separate sheet of paper, so that residents have to possess (but not carry around) up to three different documents: a passport from their country of citizenship, their residence permit, and the supplementary sheet (if applicable). Carrying passports and residence cards is only compulsory when crossing borders. Within Germany, it is sufficient to know where they are and to show them to the police within a reasonable amount of time, when requested.
Legal aspects
Types of residence permits
Limited residence permit
A limited residence permit (a so-called Aufenthaltserlaubnis, literally residence permit) is valid for a certain period of time and is issued for a certain purpose:- residence for educational purposes
- residence for the purpose of economic activity
- residence under international law or on humanitarian or political grounds
- residence for family reasons
Unlimited residence permit
An unlimited residence permit (a so-called Niederlassungserlaubnis, literally settlement permit) is a permanent residence permit. It grants the right to live and work in Germany. A foreigner receives a settlement permit if:- he or she has held a residence permit for five years
- his or her livelihood is secure
- he or she has paid compulsory or voluntary contributions into the statutory pension scheme for at least 60 months
- he or she is permitted to work
- he or she has an adequate knowledge of the German language
- he or she possesses a basic knowledge of the legal and social system and the way of life in Germany
- he or she possesses sufficient living space for himself or herself and the members of his or her family forming part of his or her household
