How can I, as an EU citizen, secure my stay in Germany in the long term?
April 25, 2022 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Fred Busse
Dear lawyer,
My name is Lukas Jensen and I am an EU citizen who has been living in Germany for several years. I have a job and a fixed residence here, but my residence permit is due to expire soon. I am worried about how I can secure my long-term stay, as I feel very comfortable in Germany and have built my life here.
As an EU citizen, I have the right to reside in Germany in principle. However, my current residence permit is only temporary and I would like to know what options there are to secure my stay long-term. I have heard that there are different residence permits available for EU citizens to stay in Germany long-term, but I am not sure what requirements I need to meet and how to proceed.
My concerns are that I could lose my job and my apartment if my residence permit expires and I do not find a solution to extend my stay. I would like to continue working and living in Germany, as I feel well integrated here and see my future here.
Therefore, my question to you is: How can I, as an EU citizen, secure my long-term stay in Germany? What steps do I need to take and what requirements do I need to meet to extend my stay? Are there specific residence permits that may be suitable for me, and how can I apply for them?
Thank you in advance for your help and advice.
Sincerely,
Lukas Jensen
Dear Mr. Jensen,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the long-term security of your stay in Germany as an EU citizen. It is understandable that you are concerned, as your current residence permit is set to expire soon and you have built your life here in Germany. I will now explain in detail the options available to secure your stay long-term.
In general, EU citizens have the right to reside in another EU country if they are either employed, self-employed, studying, or have sufficient financial means to support themselves and their family for other reasons. As an employee in Germany, you have the right to live and work here as long as you have a job.
For EU citizens who wish to stay in Germany for longer than three months, there is the option to apply for a permanent residence permit. This permit allows you to stay and work in Germany indefinitely. To obtain this residence permit, you must prove that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself and your family, as well as have health insurance.
Another residence permit that may be suitable for you is the so-called "settlement permit". This permit also allows you to stay and work in Germany indefinitely. To obtain a settlement permit, you usually must have lived continuously in Germany for five years, have sufficient knowledge of German, and have sufficient financial means to support yourself and your family.
To secure your stay long-term and obtain a permanent residence permit or a settlement permit, I recommend that you consult with an experienced lawyer specializing in foreigner law early on. A lawyer can help you gather the necessary documents, prepare the application for the desired residence permit, and support you throughout the entire process.
I hope that my response helps you further and I am available for any further questions. I wish you success in securing your stay in Germany and am happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Fred Busse
Lawyer specializing in foreigner law
