Advantages of a settlement permit
All information about the benefits of the settlement permit regarding administrative status, work, family and naturalization in Germany.
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Here you learn ...
what advantages the settlement permit offers
what the settlement permit means for your professional situation
Impact of the settlement permit on family reunification
purely practical administrative advantages of the settlement permit
Table of contents
1. Secured residence
2. Independence from the employment contract
3. Simplified family reunification
4. Naturalization option with a settlement permit
5. Practical advantages of the settlement permit
6. FAQ
7. Conclusion Advantages of a settlement permit
1. Secured residence
A settlement permit offers numerous advantages to foreign nationals. Permanent residence in Germany, for example, offers foreign nationals the opportunity to live in the country permanently without constantly renewing their residence permit. This not only significantly reduces bureaucratic burdens but also provides long-term planning security and financial security . Those seeking a permanent residence permit benefit from greater stability in their everyday lives, careers, and family planning.
Compared to other residence permits, the settlement permit in Germany also offers foreign nationals significantly greater protection against expulsion and deportation . It can only be revoked under very strict conditions, thus ensuring a high degree of legal certainty. A particularly advantageous feature: Holders of a permanent residence permit – EU may also stay abroad for extended periods without losing their status (see Section 51 Paragraph 10 of the Residence Act ). However, this does not apply to the standard settlement permit.
2. Independence from the employment contract
Another advantage of a settlement permit is professional freedom. While many residence permits in Germany are tied to the existence of an employment contract , this does not apply to persons who have already been granted a settlement permit. The settlement permit thus offers greater independence from employers and allows foreign nationals to make more independent decisions about their professional future. In particular , termination of employment no longer jeopardizes their residence status . For migrants who wish to remain in Germany long-term, the settlement permit therefore represents an important step toward security and independence.
The settlement permit offers maximum professional freedom in Germany, even outside of permanent employment. Compared to work visas, it also allows freelance work and the establishment of a business . Even working for employers abroad (e.g., from a home office ) is possible, which is not possible with regular work permits (requirement of a "domestic employment relationship").
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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. Simplified family reunification
Holders of a settlement permit also benefit from family reunification. Simplified family reunification with a settlement permit offers numerous advantages for foreign nationals living in Germany. Those holding a settlement permit can bring their family members to Germany under simplified conditions – for example, through a family reunification visa . Because the settlement permit is considered a privileged residence permit, those affected benefit from faster procedures and fewer bureaucratic hurdles when it comes to family reunification. This makes long-term family reunification in Germany significantly easier and more predictable.
Another advantage of a settlement permit is that children born in Germany may, under certain circumstances, be able to obtain German citizenship . According to Section 4, Paragraph 3 of the Nationality Act (StAG), this applies if at least one parent lives in Germany at the time of the child's birth, holds a settlement permit, and has resided in Germany for five years. The acquisition of German citizenship is recorded in the birth register in which the child's birth is recorded. This regulation makes it easier for many families with a migration background to obtain German citizenship and creates legal clarity for children born in Germany.
4. Naturalization option with a settlement permit
In certain cases, a settlement permit is also a prerequisite for naturalization – those who hold one can apply for German citizenship and thus also apply for a German passport. This applies in particular to foreigners who hold a residence permit that does not entitle them to naturalization (e.g., Section 16b of the Residence Act or Section 24 of the Residence Act). In these cases, a settlement permit must be obtained before applying for naturalization. Thus, the settlement permit also offers a path to a full life as a German citizen.
5. Practical advantages of the settlement permit
Compared to temporary residence permits, settlement permits also enjoy significantly greater legal recognition . This has a particularly positive impact on everyday legal transactions—for example, when applying for credit or purchasing real estate. Persons with settlement permits thus have easier access to financial services and investments.
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!
6. FAQ
What residence benefits does the settlement permit offer?
The settlement permit allows for indefinite residence in Germany without the need for regular renewals. It reduces bureaucratic burdens and provides long-term planning and legal certainty. It also effectively protects against deportation and can only be revoked under strict conditions.
To what extent does the settlement permit make you independent of your employer?
With a settlement permit, there is no longer any obligation to a specific employment contract. Even job loss does not jeopardize the residence status. Holders can become self-employed, freelance, or work for foreign companies, which is not possible with many temporary residence permits.
What advantages does the settlement permit offer for family reunification?
Family reunification is easier: procedures are faster and involve fewer bureaucratic hurdles. Furthermore, children born in Germany can, under certain conditions, receive German citizenship directly if one parent has a permanent residence permit and has lived in the country for at least five years.
What practical advantages does the settlement permit bring in everyday life?
In everyday legal transactions, the permanent residence permit offers significant advantages, for example, when concluding loan agreements, real estate financing, or investments. Its increased legal recognition facilitates many commercial and contractual processes.
7. Conclusion
The settlement permit offers numerous advantages and represents a crucial milestone for foreign nationals on the path to a secure, self-determined, and long-term life in Germany. It not only offers secure and unlimited residence, but also extensive freedoms with regard to career, family, and mobility. The elimination of the obligation to maintain an employment contract opens up new career prospects, while simplified family reunification and the possibility of later naturalization offer additional security and predictability. Furthermore, the settlement permit creates legal and economic advantages in everyday life – whether in concluding contracts, obtaining financing, or acquiring property. Overall, it is a key to successful and sustainable integration into German society.
Further information
List of sources
[1] Administrative instructions for residence in Berlin (VAB), as of 18 February 2025, Section 9 Residence Act
[2] Section 9 of the Act on the Residence, Employment and Integration of Foreigners in the Federal Territory (Residence Act – AufenthG) of 25 February 2008 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 162), last amended by Article 3 of the Act of 25 October 2024 (Federal Law Gazette 2024 I No. 332)
