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Obligations to cooperate for foreigners
Lawyer explains all the answers to how foreigners must cooperate in administrative procedures with authorities.
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1. What are the obligations to cooperate?
2. Notification of changes
3. Consequences of breach of duty to cooperate
4. Information obligations of the immigration authorities
5. FAQ Obligations to cooperate
6. Conclusion
1. What are the obligations to cooperate?
Foreigners in Germany are legally obliged to actively participate in administrative procedures. This duty to cooperate is regulated in Section 82 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) and represents a genuine legal obligation. It includes, for example, the obligation to submit relevant documents, to cooperate in official procedures, or to take part in integration measures. The consequences of a lack of cooperation can be serious—such as delays or even rejections in the process. This article contains all the important information on the duty to cooperate of foreigners in Germany. Employers' obligations, however, are not covered in this article; you can find further information on this in our separate article on Section 4a AufenthG .
What specific obligations must foreigners fulfill?
The most important cooperation obligations for foreigners include:
holding a valid residence permit (Section 4 of the Residence Act)
holding a valid passport (Section 3 of the Residence Act),
participation in integration courses (§§ 44, 44a AufenthG)
the surrender of documents or the toleration of searches (Section 48 of the Residence Act)
the toleration of identification measures (Section 49 (2) Residence Act, Section 82 (5) Residence Act)
In the case of an unauthorized stay, the statutory obligation to leave the country also applies. Failure to comply with these obligations can result in significant legal consequences and should therefore be avoided at all costs.
2. Notification of changes
Foreign nationals who are staying in Germany for the purpose of training or employment (§§ 16-21 Residence Act) are legally obliged to notify the responsible immigration authority of certain changes immediately – within two weeks of becoming aware of them (§ 82 para. 6 Residence Act) . This includes, in particular, the premature termination of an employment relationship or the abandonment of self-employment or a business. The notification can be made informally using a contact form, by email, or by post – there are no prescribed methods. Failure to do so may result in regulatory consequences such as fines (§ 98 para. 2 no. 5 Residence Act) and possibly also the withdrawal or revocation of the residence permit (§ 7 para. 2 sentence 2, § 52 para. 2b no. 1 Residence Act). The requirements are particularly strict for holders of the EU Blue Card or applicants for an ICT card (§ 19b Residence Act).
Aside from the aforementioned obligations applicable to foreigners, foreigners in Germany are not subject to a general duty of cooperation – this means they do not have to disclose incriminating circumstances voluntarily unless explicitly asked. Nevertheless, it may be procedurally sensible to provide certain information voluntarily, for example, if you move, so that important correspondence continues to reach you. In this respect, administrative law presumes that letters are deemed to have been delivered after three days ( Section 41 (2) of the Administrative Procedure Act ). In addition to these general principles, there are further obligations to cooperate in certain procedures, such as asylum procedures or official investigations – these specific regulations, however, are not the subject of this article.
3. Consequences of breach of duty to cooperate
In the event of a lack of or insufficient cooperation, the immigration authorities may consider deportation pursuant to Section 53 (1) in conjunction with Section 54 (2) No. 8b of the Residence Act. Such violations also constitute an administrative offense and can lead to the revocation of the residence permit and the imposition of fines. In practice, however, the immigration authorities must set a deadline in advance to give those affected the opportunity to subsequently submit the required information or evidence.
If a foreigner's application cannot be decided due to incomplete information, the immigration authority may suspend the procedure and set a deadline for the applicant. If cooperation is delayed, the subsequently submitted information may be disregarded. Despite this legal provision, the practical impact of the change remains limited: The authority still has discretion as to whether to suspend the procedure at all. This often depends on whether specific evidence is actually missing or whether basic requirements for granting a visa are not met at all.
4. Information obligations of the immigration authorities
According to Section 82, Paragraph 3, Sentence 1 of the Residence Act, immigration authorities are obligated to provide foreign nationals with comprehensive information about their essential rights and obligations . For this purpose, multilingual information sheets have been developed, which must be handed out during a personal interview or by proxy. These sheets must be handed out upon written acknowledgement of receipt, indicating the language versions, and must be recorded. These information obligations contribute significantly to transparency and legal certainty in immigration procedures.
The statutory information requirements under the Residence Act stipulate that all relevant information must also be provided in the foreigner's language – especially if an authorized representative is involved. In this case, both the German version and the language-adapted version must be provided. This ensures that the foreigner fully understands their rights and obligations in the migration process. Compliance with these regulations not only protects those affected but also ensures legally compliant processing by the responsible authorities.
5. FAQ
What does “duty to cooperate” mean in residence law?
The duty to cooperate obligates foreign nationals to actively participate in the administrative procedure (Section 82 of the Residence Act). This includes, among other things, submitting documents, participating in measures, and reporting relevant changes.
What specific obligations must foreigners fulfill?
The most important duties include:
Possession of a valid passport (Section 3 of the Residence Act)
Possession of a valid residence permit (Section 4 of the Residence Act)
Participation in integration courses (§§ 44, 44a AufenthG)
Submission of documents or toleration of searches (Section 48 of the Residence Act)
Toleration of identification measures (Section 49 (2) Residence Act)
How can changes be reported?
The notification can be made informally—by email, letter, or via a contact form. There are no formal requirements.
Is there a general obligation to provide information?
No. There is no general obligation to disclose distressing circumstances without being asked – unless explicitly requested. However, for practical reasons (e.g., moving), voluntary disclosure may be advisable.
6. Conclusion
Under German residence law, foreign nationals are obligated to actively participate in administrative procedures – particularly by submitting documents, complying with legal requirements, and reporting any significant changes. These obligations to cooperate are clearly regulated by law, and violations can result in serious consequences such as fines, revocation of residence permits, or even deportation . At the same time, immigration authorities are obligated to provide comprehensive information about rights and obligations – including in the respective language of the person concerned. While there is no general obligation to self-report incriminating circumstances, voluntary disclosure may be advisable in individual cases to avoid procedural delays or disadvantages. Those who know and fulfill their obligations to cooperate significantly improve their chances of success in their immigration proceedings and sustainably protect their stay in Germany.
List of Sources (Paywall)
[1] Marx, Residence, Asylum and Refugee Law, 8th edition 2023
[2] Huber/Mantel, Residence Act/Asyl Act, 4th edition, 2025, § 82
[3] Administrative instructions for residence in Berlin (VAB), as of 18.02.2025, § 82