Blue Card settlement permit
How to apply for a settlement permit with the EU Blue Card.
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Here you learn ...
when you can apply for permanent residence with the Blue Card
how many months with the Blue Card are required for the settlement permit
Residence permit with Blue Card in Berlin
Residence permit Blue Card for family members
Table of contents
1. Blue Card Unlimited
2. Blue Card settlement permit months
3. Blue Card settlement permit Berlin
4. Settlement permit family members Blue Card
5. FAQ Residence Permit Blue Card
6. Conclusion
1. Blue Card unlimited in Germany
The settlement permit under Section 18c of the Residence Act is a permanent residence permit specifically for skilled workers and holders of an EU Blue Card . It replaces the temporary Blue Card and allows permanent residence in Germany without the need for further extensions or visa procedures. From a purely legal perspective, it is also possible for the EU Blue Card to remain valid if a settlement permit is granted (see our blog post on a ruling by the Berlin Administrative Court on the Blue Card and settlement permit ). However, the administrative practices of the immigration authorities differ on this point.
Obtaining a settlement permit with the EU Blue Card is a crucial step toward integrating into Germany for many skilled foreign workers. With the settlement permit, all occupational or employer-related restrictions of the Blue Card are removed : They are free to take any job, work as a self-employed or freelancer, and even combine both. This is a major advantage, especially for remote work or later business start-ups.
2. Blue Card settlement permit months
While 60 months of residence in Germany are normally required for a settlement permit (see Section 9 of the Residence Act), the EU Blue Card requires significantly less. By default, you need 27 months of employment subject to social security contributions to transition from the Blue Card to a settlement permit with A1 German language skills. If you have German at level B1, 21 months are sufficient (see Section 18c Paragraph 2 of the Residence Act). Until the legal reform in 2023, the periods were 33 (A1) and 27 (B1) months instead of 27 (A1) and 21 (B1) months.
The months only count if pension contributions are paid at the same time. Therefore, the relevant period is the period of employment subject to social security law in Germany. This period is documented with the so-called pension insurance history from the German pension insurance system . You can apply for the pension insurance contribution online. Once you receive it, you must then submit the pension insurance history to the immigration office.
Contact us
Are you looking for a lawyer specializing in German immigration and visa law? We are happy to assist you with residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities, and administrative courts. Our specialised attorneys are always by your side. Contact us to book an online appointment with a German immigration lawyer!
3. Blue Card settlement permit Berlin
Around one-fifth of all skilled workers with a permanent residence permit live in Berlin , which is why the State Office for Immigration (LEA) routinely offers simplified appointments for Blue Card holders. To do so, you simply submit the documents to the LEA via its website (see the State Office for Immigration (LEA) form for applying for a permanent residence permit with the EU Blue Card ). You must also pay the fees for the permanent residence permit with the EU Blue Card on the form.
After you have uploaded your documents, an officer at the LEA will review your documents and then offer you an appointment for a settlement permit in Berlin via email or letter . At the appointment, you will then be required to present the original documents, provide fingerprints, and sign the application. The settlement permit (plastic card) will then be ordered for printing at the Federal Printing Office (Bundesdruckerei) in accordance with Section 18c Paragraph 2 of the Residence Act. You can then pick up the plastic card with the settlement permit at the issuing counter at the State Office for Immigration (LEA) in Berlin.
4. Settlement permit family members Blue Card
Spouses and minor children of a Blue Card holder can usually obtain a settlement permit at the same time or shortly after the main applicant . If all conditions are met, the spouse may then just as freely change employers, begin studies, or become self-employed. This means that family members also benefit from the full planning security of permanent residency.
Contact us
Are you looking for a lawyer specializing in German immigration and visa law? We are happy to assist you with residence procedures before embassies, immigration authorities, and administrative courts. Our specialised attorneys are always by your side. Contact us to book an online appointment with a German immigration lawyer!
5. FAQ on the settlement permit with the EU Blue Card
How does the procedure for obtaining a settlement permit with a Blue Card work in Berlin?
In Berlin, you submit your documents digitally using the LEA form. After review, you will receive an appointment for an in-person interview via email or mail. The permanent residence permit will then be produced as a plastic card and made available for collection.
How long do I have to have worked in Germany to get a settlement permit with the Blue Card?
With German language skills at A1 level, you need 27 months of employment subject to social security contributions. With B1 level German language skills, 21 months are sufficient. The period of employment must be documented by pension contributions.
Can I take any job with a permanent residence permit?
Yes. With a permanent residence permit, the occupational restrictions of the Blue Card no longer apply. You can take any job, become self-employed, or combine both.
What happens to my Blue Card when I receive a permanent residence permit?
Legally, both can exist in parallel, but many immigration authorities require that the Blue Card be handed in after the settlement permit has been granted.
Can spouses and children also obtain a permanent residence permit?
Yes. Family members such as spouses and minor children can obtain a settlement permit together with the main applicant or shortly thereafter, provided the requirements are met.
6. Conclusion Permanent with Blue Card
For holders of the EU Blue Card, the permanent residence permit is a major step toward long-term security in Germany. It not only provides professional freedom and the opportunity for self-employment, but also benefits for the entire family. Thanks to shorter deadlines and simplified procedures – for example, in Berlin – the transition from a Blue Card to a permanent residence permit is easier than ever before. Those who meet the requirements should begin the application process early and prepare the necessary documentation, especially their pension insurance history.
