.png)
Glossary: Permanent residence card
Category: Visa & Residence Permits (Residence card as an unlimited right of free movement according to the Freedom of Movement Act pursuant to Section 4a of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU )
Author: Mirko Vorreuter , LL.B. , Attorney at Law and Specialist Attorney for Immigration Law (License examination via the Federal Official Directory of Lawyers possible)
Image description: The image shows a binding template of a permanent residence card pursuant to Section 78 of the German Residence Act (documents with electronic storage and processing medium) . Section 78 of the Residence Act also applies accordingly to the issuance of permanent residence cards ( Section 11 Paragraph 3 Sentence 1 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU ).
The European legal basis for the model of the permanent residence card is, pursuant to Section 11 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU , Council Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 of 13 June 2002 on a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals (OJ L 157, 15.6.2002, p. 1) as amended ( Section 59 para. 2 sentence 2 of the Residence Ordinance ).
Table of contents
1. What does a permanent residence permit look like (image)?
2. Definition of the permanent residence card
3. Who needs a permanent residence permit?
4. Example of a permanent residence permit
5. Important information about the permanent residence card
5.1 Duration of the permanent residence permit
5.2 Extension of the permanent residence card
5.3 Costs of the permanent residence card
5.4 Processing time for permanent residence card
5.5 Authority responsible for permanent residence card
6. Rights and opportunities of the permanent residence card
6.1 Work permit with the permanent residence card
6.2 Study, school, language course with the permanent residence card
6.3 Family reunification with a permanent residence card
6.4 Travel and stays abroad with the permanent residence card
6.5 Eligible group of persons for a permanent residence card
7. Requirements for a permanent residence permit
8. Required documents: Permanent residence card
9. Apply for a permanent residence card online
10. Advantages of a permanent residence card
11. Consolidation of residence with a permanent residence card
11.1 Path from permanent residence card to settlement permit
11.2 Path from permanent residence permit to naturalization
11.3 Next steps Permanent residence card
12. Legal basis for the permanent residence card
13. Important laws regarding the permanent residence card
14. Important rulings on the permanent residence card
15. Frequently Asked Questions about the Permanent Residence Card
16. Further information
16.1 Permanent residence card in other glossaries
16.2 Related Topics
16.3 Blog posts about the permanent residence card
16.4 Glossary entries for the permanent residence card
16.5 Sources and references for the permanent residence card
Definition of permanent residence permit
The permanent residence card pursuant to Section 4a of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU (also: permanent residence card/indefinite European residence/indefinite right of free movement; English: Permanent Residence Card/Permanent Permit EU/Permanent Freedom of Movement) is an unlimited right of free movement under the Freedom of Movement Act (Section 4a of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU, Section 5 Paragraph 5 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU). The permanent residence card can therefore only be obtained by EU citizens and their family members . The permanent residence card is thus not a residence "title" under the Residence Act (AufenthG), which is why almost all provisions of the Residence Act do not apply to the permanent residence card (see, however, the exceptions in Section 11 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU). There are therefore significant systematic differences relevant to practice between an unlimited residence permit ( settlement permit and EU long-term residence permit under the Residence Act) and a right of free movement under the Freedom of Movement Act/EU ( long-term residence card ).
Who needs a permanent residence permit?
The permanent residence card is only required by EU citizens and their family members if they intend to reside permanently in Germany. However, this should be viewed in the context that EU citizens and their family members are already legally permitted unlimited residence (see Section 2 Paragraph 1 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU and the European fundamental freedoms ). The permanent residence card is therefore not a (constitutive) "permit" to reside, but merely a (declaratory) "certificate of permission by law." Consequently, the permanent residence card is not "granted" but "issued" (see the wording of Section 5 Paragraph 5 Sentence 2 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU).
Nevertheless, family members of EU citizens often require a certificate of legal residence to prove their legal status to employers , border officials upon entry , or banks and insurance companies. However, since EU citizens can prove their right of residence with their passport , the permanent residence card is only relevant for family members of EU citizens and therefore has comparatively little practical application.
Example : An Italian citizen and his Moroccan wife have been living in Germany for six years. To avoid the wife having to constantly renew her residence permit, they apply for a permanent residence permit .
Important information about the permanent residence card
Duration of permanent residence permit
The permanent residence card , or the underlying right of permanent residence, is valid indefinitely. Residence with a permanent residence card is permitted indefinitely. However, the validity of the physical residence card may be limited (usually 10 years). After 10 years, a new card can simply be applied for without having to re-examine the requirements for the permanent residence card.
Extension of permanent residence permit
Extending the permanent residence permit is neither possible nor necessary, as the permanent residence permit is valid indefinitely (§ 4a Freedom of Movement Act/EU). Only the physical card needs to be renewed after 10 years. However, the requirements for the permanent residence permit are not checked again for this purpose.
Cost of permanent residence permit
For issuing a permanent residence card to family members of EU citizens (Section 5, Paragraph 5, Sentence 2 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU), fees equal to the fee charged for issuing identity cards to German citizens (currently €37; Section 47, Paragraph 3 of the Residence Ordinance) must be levied. This fee is waived in Brexit-related cases . The fee for persons under 24 years of age is to be reduced in accordance with the provisions of the Identity Card Act (Section 47, Paragraph 3, Sentence 3 of the Residence Ordinance).
Processing time for permanent residence permit
A permanent residence card has a comparatively short processing time, as there are hardly any practical requirements for acquiring the right to permanent residence. In particular, proof of sufficient means of subsistence is not a requirement (see Section 4a of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU), which significantly shortens the application process in practice. The permanent residence card also does not require the involvement of other authorities (e.g., the Federal Employment Agency ). Therefore, depending on the workload of the authority and the case worker, the permanent residence card can be issued within a few days or weeks. In practice, however, immigration authorities often delay such applications just as they do applications under the Residence Act, which can lead to processing times of several months.
Competent authority for permanent residence card
The permanent residence card is reviewed and issued by the local immigration authorities ( § 71 AufenthV ). Local jurisdiction is determined by the applicant's habitual residence or place of residence ( § 3 para. 1 no. 3 a) VwVfG ).
Rights and opportunities with a permanent residence card
Work permit, permanent residence card
The permanent residence card grants unlimited rights to any type of employment , as it is governed by European freedom of movement law . The work restrictions of the German Residence Act (AufenthG) do not apply to holders of a permanent residence card; instead, they can invoke the fundamental European freedoms (including the free movement of workers and the freedom of establishment).
Studies , school , language course , permanent residence card
Attending university, school and language courses is easily possible due to European freedom of movement .
Family reunification , permanent residence card
Family reunification for holders of a permanent residence card is governed by European freedom of movement regulations. According to the Freedom of Movement Act (FreizügG/EU), family members of EU citizens can also invoke these rights (§§ 3, 4 FreizügG/EU). However, family members and close relatives who are not EU citizens require a visa to enter the EU. No fees are charged for issuing the visa (§ 2a FreizügG/EU).
Travel and stays abroad Permanent residence card
Holders of a permanent residence card entitled to freedom of movement can enter and leave Germany without restriction, regardless of whether the technical validity period of the physical card has expired or not. EU citizens therefore do not require a visa for entry or a residence permit for their stay (§ 2a para. 1 sentence 1 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU).
Eligible group of persons: permanent residence card
EU citizens who have resided legally and continuously in Germany for five years have a permanent right of residence , regardless of whether they meet the other (already very low) requirements for exercising their right of free movement . A permanent right of residence is thus acquired after five years if the EU citizen's residence during those five years was legal. Family members and close relatives of EU citizens also acquire the permanent right of residence according to Section 4a of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU if they have resided legally and continuously in Germany with the EU citizen for five years. There are numerous exceptions to the five-year rule (see Section 4a, Paragraph 2 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU). Foreign nationals who are not EU citizens and are not married to an EU citizen (third-country nationals) cannot obtain a permanent residence card. Third-country nationals must obtain a settlement permit ( § 9 AufenthG ) or an EU long-term residence permit ( § 9a AufenthG ) for permanent residence.
Requirements for a permanent residence permit
The requirements for the issuance of a permanent residence card are as follows, according to Section 4a of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU and Section 5 Paragraph 5 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU:
European nationality or married to (or divorced from) a European citizen or (certified) close relative of a Union citizen (§ 4a para. 1 Freedom of Movement Act/EU)
5 years of continuous and lawful residence in Germany (§ 4a FreizügG/EU) and exercise of the right of free movement during this time (§ 2 FreizügG/EU)
Application for a certificate of permanent residence has been submitted to the immigration authority (§ 5 para. 5 Freedom of Movement Act/EU)
Valid passport and verified identity (otherwise freedom of movement is questionable)
No specific grounds for expiry/loss exist under the Freedom of Movement Act/EU (reasons of public order, security or health, § 6 Freedom of Movement Act/EU)
It should always be noted that the requirements can vary from case to case and from one immigration office to another. If in doubt, a specialist lawyer for immigration law should be consulted.
Required documents: Permanent residence card
The requirements for a permanent residence card are proven with the corresponding documents . However, since there are comparatively few requirements compared to the indefinite residence permits under the German Residence Act (AufenthG), significantly fewer documents are required. The documents needed for the permanent residence card depend on the responsible immigration authority . The required documents for the permanent residence card are usually listed on the immigration authority's website.
The following documents are usually required for a permanent residence permit :
Application for the issuance of a permanent residence card
Proof of the authority's jurisdiction ( § 3 VwVfG ): Registration certificate
Valid passport or valid identification document
biometric passport photo
Previous residence documents (e.g. residence card or residence certificate according to the Freedom of Movement Act/EU)
Extended registration information to prove residence in Germany for more than 5 years
Proof of exercising the right of free movement in the last 5 years (i.e., information on income in the last 5 years (e.g., employer certificate) and on health insurance )
Only required if applying through an authorized representative (e.g., a lawyer ): Power of attorney
It should be noted that the required documents depend heavily on the discretion of the case worker and the specific circumstances of each case. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a definitive answer as to which documents are needed to apply for a permanent residence card in all cases.
Apply online for a permanent residence card
The permanent residence card can be applied for online at the relevant immigration office. It is not possible to apply for a permanent residence card at German missions abroad (embassies and consulates), as it can only be applied for within Germany. The links to the online applications for a permanent residence card at the local immigration offices for the six largest cities are as follows:
Advantages of a permanent residence card
The permanent residence card has the advantage of guaranteeing long-term residence in Germany. This grants a right to freedom of movement indefinitely (unless the permanent residence card is revoked). However, these freedom of movement rights also exist without the permanent residence card (the card merely confirms this status), which is why the permanent residence card has limited practical relevance.
From permanent residence card to settlement permit
A change from a permanent residence card to a settlement permit is generally not possible, as there is no general need for legal protection.
The path from permanent residence permit to naturalization
Naturalization is possible with a permanent residence card . While Section 10 Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 Number 3 of the German Nationality Act (StAG) generally stipulates the possession of a residence permit, and the permanent residence card is not a residence permit but rather a right of free movement , the wording of Section 10 Paragraph 1 Sentence 1 Number 3 of the StAG also includes other "unlimited residence rights".
Next steps: Permanent residence permit
If you wish to apply for a permanent residence card , you should first check whether you can prove that you have resided legally in Germany for the past five years and exercised your right to freedom of movement within Germany (Section 2 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU). This generally means that you must have been gainfully employed ( either through employment or self-employment ). You must be able to provide proof of this to the immigration office. If you have proof of exercising your right to freedom of movement for more than five years, you should contact your local immigration office to find out which documents are required to apply for the permanent residence card and how to submit the application. Our lawyers will be happy to advise you on the specific requirements and assist you with the application process. → Book an appointment
Legal basis for permanent residence card
The legal basis for the permanent residence card at the national level is Sections 4a and 5(5) of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU. These provisions are based on the European Freedom of Movement Directive/Citizens' Rights Directive ( Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States ). The Freedom of Movement Directive, in turn, is based on the fundamental freedoms of the European Union under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union . Secondary legal bases for the permanent residence card are the relevant administrative regulations (in particular the General Administrative Regulation of the Federal Ministry of the Interior on the Freedom of Movement Act) and the relevant case law (in particular the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU )) on freedom of movement in Europe.
Important laws Permanent residence card
The most important laws regarding the permanent residence card are the following:
Important rulings on permanent residence permits
The most important rulings regarding the permanent residence card are the following:
To acquire the right of permanent residence, continuous freedom of movement is required ( ECJ, Judgment of 21.12.2011, Case C-424.10 ).
The terms “accompanying” and “joining” within the meaning of the Freedom of Movement Act are to be interpreted broadly ( ECJ, Judgment of 25 July 2008, Case C-127/08 - Metock ).
Frequently asked questions about the permanent residence card
What is the difference between a permanent residence permit and a residence permit?
The key difference between a residence card and a permanent residence card lies in the residency status of family members of EU citizens who are not themselves EU citizens. The residence card is issued within the first five years of residence and grants a derived right of free movement, which is subject to certain conditions (such as living with the EU citizen) (see Section 3 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU). The permanent residence card, on the other hand, is only issued after five years of continuous and legal residence in Germany (see Section 5, Paragraph 4 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU). It grants an independent, indefinite right of residence, which remains valid even if the relationship with the EU citizen ends or the EU citizen leaves Germany.
How long is a permanent residence permit valid for?
The right of residence certified by the permanent residence card is indefinite/unlimited. However, the physical document itself, the credit card-sized plastic card, is usually issued with a technical validity period of ten years. After these ten years, the card – similar to a national identity card – must be reapplied for to update the photograph and biometric data. The underlying right of permanent residence does not expire as a result; only the document needs to be formally renewed.
How much does a permanent residence permit cost?
The costs for issuing a permanent residence card are legally fixed and based on the fees for the German identity card. In 2026, the fee for persons aged 24 and over will generally be €37. For persons under 24, the fee is slightly lower at €22.80. These fees are significantly lower than those for regular residence permits under the Residence Act (such as the settlement permit), reflecting the principle of equal treatment for EU citizens and German citizens (principle of equal treatment under Article 18 TFEU).
How do I obtain a permanent residence permit?
The permanent residence certificate is the equivalent of the permanent residence card, but specifically intended for EU citizens themselves (e.g., Spaniards or Poles in Germany). To obtain it, you must submit an informal application to the relevant immigration office after five years of legal residence (§ 5 para. 4 of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU). You must prove that you were entitled to freedom of movement during these five years, for example, that you lived here as an employee, self-employed person, or with sufficient means of subsistence. However, since EU citizens have generally no longer required physical certificates since 2013, this document is only issued upon explicit request.
How long does it take to issue a permanent residence permit?
In practice, most immigration offices do not differ in processing times for permanent residence permits and settlement permits. While the requirements for a permanent residence permit are significantly less stringent, due to their workload, immigration offices usually require just as much time as for applications under the Residence Act. The entire processing time, including the verification of the five-year prior residence period by the authorities, can therefore take several months.
Permanent residence card in other glossaries
The permanent residence card can also be found in the following glossaries:
Sources and references for the permanent residence card
( Government resources and literature )
[3] Bergmann/Dienelt/Dienelt, Commentary on Immigration Law, 15th ed. 2025, Residence Act § 4a
[4] NK-AuslR/Oberhäuser, 3rd ed. 2023, Freedom of Movement Act/EU § 4a
[5] BeckOK AuslR/Tewocht, 46th ed. 1.4.2025, FreizügG/EU § 4a Rn. 1-43
[6] BeckOK MigR/Gerstner-Heck, 24th ed. 1.1.2026, FreizügG/EU § 4a Rn. 1-25
[7] Huber/Mantel, Residence Act/Asylum Act, 4th ed. 2025, Freedom of Movement Act/EU § 4a
[8] Harbou/Tometten in Munich Lawyers' Handbook on Administrative Law, 5th ed. 2023, § 23 para. 66, 67
[9] Kurzidem in Kluth/Hornung/Koch, Immigration Law Handbook | § 6 The right of residence of Union citizens and their family members, para. 17 | 4th edition 2025, 8. Permanent residents
[10] Tewocht: The new regulation of the Freedom of Movement Act/EU, article by Tewocht, ZAR 2013, 221
[11] The Act on the Implementation of Directives of the European Union on Residence and Asylum Law, article by Dr. Bertold Huber, NVwZ 2007, 977
[12] Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States (Freedom of Movement Directive)
[13] Act on the general freedom of movement of Union citizens (Freedom of Movement Act/EU - FreizügG/EU) of 30 July 2004 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 1950, 1986), last amended by Article 4 of the Act of 21 February 2024 (Federal Law Gazette 2024 I No. 54)
Last updated: February 20, 2026
Need help? VISAGUARD offers comprehensive advice on all aspects of residence permits. → Book an appointment