Can I hold both the Daueraufenthalt-EU and the Niederlassungserlaubnis at the same time?

Yes. In Germany it is legally possible to hold both statuses simultaneously. A common strategy is to obtain the Niederlassungserlaubnis first — for example, via the accelerated Blue Card route after 21 or 33 months — and then apply separately for the Daueraufenthalt-EU once you have completed the full 5 years of lawful residence, purely to gain EU-wide mobility rights that the Niederlassungserlaubnis does not provide.

Does time spent as a student in Germany count toward the 5-year Daueraufenthalt-EU requirement?

Only partially. Under §9a AufenthG, time spent on a German student visa counts at half its real value. So if you studied in Germany for 4 years, only 2 of those years count toward your 5-year qualifying period. Time spent working in Germany after graduation on a work permit counts in full, so many former students reach the 5-year threshold after a combination of study (halved) and post-graduation employment (full).

What happens to my German Daueraufenthalt-EU if I permanently move to another EU country?

If you move to another EU member state and establish your main residence there for more than 6 consecutive years, Germany may withdraw your Daueraufenthalt-EU status. However, the country you relocate to can issue its own EU long-term residence permit based on your German status. Each EU member state has its own rules on this transition under Directive 2003/109/EC, so you should check with the immigration authorities of the destination country before making a permanent move.

What German language level is required for the Daueraufenthalt-EU, and how do I prove it?

The Aufenthaltsgesetz requires 'adequate knowledge of German' for the Daueraufenthalt-EU, which most Ausländerbehörden interpret as approximately A1–A2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This is lower than the B1 certificate required for the standard Niederlassungserlaubnis. Acceptable evidence typically includes a Goethe-Institut A1 or A2 certificate, a telc Deutsch A2 exam result, or sometimes a letter from an employer or integration course provider. Check with your specific local Ausländerbehörde for accepted proof formats.

How long does it take to get a Daueraufenthalt-EU decision after I submit my application?

Processing time varies significantly by city. In smaller German cities and towns, decisions often come within 4–6 weeks of submitting a complete application. In high-demand cities like Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg, the process — including waiting for an appointment plus processing time — can take 3–6 months in total. Submitting a complete and well-organised document file from the start is the single most effective way to avoid unnecessary delays.

Can I hold both the Daueraufenthalt-EU and the Niederlassungserlaubnis at the same time?

Yes. In Germany it is legally possible to hold both statuses simultaneously. A common strategy is to obtain the Niederlassungserlaubnis first — for example, via the accelerated Blue Card route after 21 or 33 months — and then apply separately for the Daueraufenthalt-EU once you have completed the full 5 years of lawful residence, purely to gain EU-wide mobility rights that the Niederlassungserlaubnis does not provide.

Does time spent as a student in Germany count toward the 5-year Daueraufenthalt-EU requirement?

Only partially. Under §9a AufenthG, time spent on a German student visa counts at half its real value. So if you studied in Germany for 4 years, only 2 of those years count toward your 5-year qualifying period. Time spent working in Germany after graduation on a work permit counts in full, so many former students reach the 5-year threshold after a combination of study (halved) and post-graduation employment (full).

What happens to my German Daueraufenthalt-EU if I permanently move to another EU country?

If you move to another EU member state and establish your main residence there for more than 6 consecutive years, Germany may withdraw your Daueraufenthalt-EU status. However, the country you relocate to can issue its own EU long-term residence permit based on your German status. Each EU member state has its own rules on this transition under Directive 2003/109/EC, so you should check with the immigration authorities of the destination country before making a permanent move.

What German language level is required for the Daueraufenthalt-EU, and how do I prove it?

The Aufenthaltsgesetz requires 'adequate knowledge of German' for the Daueraufenthalt-EU, which most Ausländerbehörden interpret as approximately A1–A2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This is lower than the B1 certificate required for the standard Niederlassungserlaubnis. Acceptable evidence typically includes a Goethe-Institut A1 or A2 certificate, a telc Deutsch A2 exam result, or sometimes a letter from an employer or integration course provider. Check with your specific local Ausländerbehörde for accepted proof formats.

How long does it take to get a Daueraufenthalt-EU decision after I submit my application?

Processing time varies significantly by city. In smaller German cities and towns, decisions often come within 4–6 weeks of submitting a complete application. In high-demand cities like Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg, the process — including waiting for an appointment plus processing time — can take 3–6 months in total. Submitting a complete and well-organised document file from the start is the single most effective way to avoid unnecessary delays.

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Daueraufenthalt-EU: Germany's EU Long-Term Residence Permit — GoGermany

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Daueraufenthalt-EU: Germany's EU Long-Term Residence Permit

· 2026-06-23

Discover the Daueraufenthalt-EU permit: Germany's EU long-term residence status, 5-year rules, eligibility, and how it unlocks mobility across the EU.

After five years of building your life in Germany, you reach a milestone that many residents overlook: the right to apply for the Daueraufenthalt-EU permit — a status that does far more than simply letting you stay permanently in one country. Unlike its domestic counterpart, this EU-wide credential opens doors to live and work across multiple European Union member states without starting from scratch. If you're approaching the five-year mark, understanding exactly how the Daueraufenthalt-EU permit works — and how it compares to the Niederlassungserlaubnis — could shape the next decade of your life.

What Is the Daueraufenthalt-EU Permit?

The Daueraufenthalt-EU permit (formally the "Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt – EU") is Germany's implementation of the EU Long-Term Residents Directive (2003/109/EC), codified in §9a of the Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG). It grants non-EU nationals who have legally lived in Germany for at least five years a permanent residence status that is recognized across the European Union.

The permit is issued as an eAT (elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel) chip card — the same format as any German residence permit — with "Daueraufenthalt-EU" printed in the status field. Your right to stay is indefinite, though the physical card must be renewed every 10 years as an administrative formality.

Which EU Countries Recognize It?

The Directive applies in 25 EU member states — all except Denmark and Ireland, which opted out. Countries like the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Austria fully recognize the status, giving you a legally privileged path to long-term residence there.

The 5-Year Requirement: What Counts and What Doesn't

The qualifying clock starts from the date you first received a valid German residence permit. However, not all time in Germany counts equally.

Time That Counts

Time on a work-based Aufenthaltserlaubnis (e.g., skilled worker visa, Blue Card)
Time on a family reunification permit
Time on a student visa — only half counts (4 years of study = 2 qualifying years)
Time covered by a valid Fiktionsbescheinigung while your permit renewal was pending

Time That Does NOT Count

Time spent on a short-stay Schengen or tourist visa
Time in Germany without any valid permit
Absences exceeding 6 consecutive months or 10 months in total over the 5-year period

Critical tip: Track every absence abroad carefully. A single long trip home exceeding 6 consecutive months can pause or invalidate part of your qualifying period.

Daueraufenthalt-EU vs Niederlassungserlaubnis: Side-by-Side

Both are permanent residence statuses — but they are fundamentally different instruments. For a full primer on how these compare to temporary permits, see Aufenthaltserlaubnis vs Niederlassungserlaubnis Explained.

| Feature | Daueraufenthalt-EU (§9a) | Niederlassungserlaubnis (§9) | |---|---|---| | Legal basis | EU Directive 2003/109/EC + §9a AufenthG | §9 AufenthG (national law only) | | Minimum residence | 5 years | 5 years (21–33 months via Blue Card) | | Language requirement | Basic German (~A1–A2) | B1 German certificate | | EU mobility rights | Yes — 25 EU member states | No — Germany only | | Pension contributions | 60 months required | 60 months required | | Issued by | Local Ausländerbehörde | Local Ausländerbehörde | | Validity | Indefinite (card renewed every 10 years) | Indefinite |

The Key Takeaway

If you never plan to leave Germany, the Niederlassungserlaubnis is often simpler — especially via the EU Blue Card fast track, which cuts the wait to as little as 21 months. But if working or living elsewhere in Europe matters to you at any point in the future, the Daueraufenthalt-EU is the smarter long-game move.

Importantly, you can hold both statuses. Some residents obtain the Niederlassungserlaubnis first through the Blue Card route, then apply separately for the Daueraufenthalt-EU once they complete five years, purely to unlock EU mobility rights.

Who Qualifies? Full Eligibility Checklist

Under §9a AufenthG, you must satisfy all of the following conditions:

Residence:

At least 5 years of uninterrupted, lawful residence in Germany
No absence periods exceeding 6 consecutive months or 10 months total during the qualifying period

Financial security:

Stable income sufficient to support yourself and dependents without relying on Bürgergeld, Sozialhilfe, or other public welfare benefits
At least 60 months of contributions to the Deutsche Rentenversicherung (statutory pension scheme) or a comparable private/occupational pension plan
Valid health insurance (gesetzliche or private Krankenversicherung)

German language and civic knowledge:

Adequate knowledge of German — typically interpreted as A1–A2 level (meaningfully lower than the B1 required for the Niederlassungserlaubnis under §9)
Basic understanding of the German legal and social system

Other conditions:

No serious criminal convictions (sentences under 90 daily rates or 3 months suspended are generally tolerated)
Valid passport
Adequate living space for yourself and any dependents

How to Apply: Documents, Offices, and Fees

Where to Apply

You apply in person at your local Ausländerbehörde. In major cities:

Berlin: Landesamt für Einwanderung (LEA)
Munich: Kreisverwaltungsreferat (KVR)
Hamburg: Einwohnerzentralamt, Ausländerangelegenheiten
Frankfurt: Ausländerbehörde Frankfurt am Main
Cologne: Ausländeramt Köln

Book appointments online through each city's official portal. Wait times range from 2 weeks in smaller cities to 3+ months in Berlin or Munich.

Documents You'll Need

Current valid passport and existing eAT residence permit
Anmeldung (registration certificate confirming your address)
Rentenversicherungsverlauf (pension history — request free at www.deutsche-rentenversicherung.de)
Last 3 months of payslips or proof of self-employment income
Employment contract or business registration
Proof of health insurance (Krankenversicherungsnachweis)
Rental contract (Mietvertrag) as proof of accommodation
Biometric passport photo
Language certificate (Goethe-Institut A1/A2, telc, or equivalent)

Fees

| Item | Cost | |---|---| | Daueraufenthalt-EU permit | €113 | | Certified translations (if needed) | €30–€80 per document | | Language test (if not yet certified) | €100–€150 (Goethe-Institut A2) |

Processing typically takes 4–12 weeks after submitting complete documents.

Your EU Mobility Rights With This Permit

This is where the Daueraufenthalt-EU earns its distinctive value. Under EU Directive 2003/109/EC, the permit unlocks a two-tier mobility system.

Short-Term Visits (Up to 90 Days)

Your German Daueraufenthalt-EU card entitles you to visit any participating EU member state and stay up to 90 days without a separate visa or permit — ideal for business travel, extended holidays, or scouting a new country before committing to relocate.

Long-Term Residence in Another EU Country (90+ Days)

This is the game-changer. If you want to live and work in, say, the Netherlands or Spain for more than 90 days, you can apply for long-term residence in that country based on your German Daueraufenthalt-EU — without proving a fresh 5 years of residence there. The receiving country may still require proof of income, housing, or language ability, but your EU status gives you a legally privileged starting point compared to arriving as a non-EU national with no prior EU residency history.

Practical example: A software developer with a German Daueraufenthalt-EU who receives a job offer in Amsterdam can apply for Dutch long-term residence immediately, without waiting another five years. The same applies for a family relocating from Hamburg to Milan or a freelancer moving from Munich to Barcelona.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Sink Your Application

1. Not tracking absences carefully A single trip home exceeding 6 consecutive months resets or pauses your qualifying period. Keep a travel log and retain passport stamps.

2. Discovering pension contribution gaps too late Free-lancing without proper Rentenversicherung enrollment, informal work, or job gaps can leave you short of the required 60 months. Request your Rentenversicherungsverlauf at least 6 months before you plan to apply and address any shortfall in time.

3. Assuming "lower language bar" means no language evidence needed The A1–A2 threshold is genuinely lower than for the Niederlassungserlaubnis — but it is not zero. Attending an Ausländerbehörde appointment with no language documentation at all is a common reason for adjourned appointments and delays.

4. Arriving with an incomplete document file Ausländerbehörde appointments are scarce and hard to rebook. Waiting three months for a slot only to be turned away for a missing Rentenversicherungsverlauf is a painful and avoidable mistake. Cross-check every item on your specific office's checklist before the day.

5. Assuming your Niederlassungserlaubnis already covers EU mobility Many long-term Germany residents are surprised to discover their perfectly valid Niederlassungserlaubnis gives them zero legal privileges in other EU countries. The two permits do different jobs. If EU mobility matters, you need the Daueraufenthalt-EU — applied for separately.

6. Letting the physical eAT card expire Your right to stay never expires, but the physical card does — typically after 10 years. An expired card causes practical problems with employers, banks, and at border controls. Set a calendar reminder well in advance.

Conclusion

The Daueraufenthalt-EU permit is one of the most underrated milestones in any migrant's German journey — a status that not only secures your place in Germany permanently but transforms you into a recognized EU long-term resident with genuine mobility across the continent. If you are approaching five years of legal residence, now is the time to audit your Deutsche Rentenversicherung contributions, document your absences, and get your basic German certified before booking that Ausländerbehörde appointment.

Not sure yet whether the Daueraufenthalt-EU or the Niederlassungserlaubnis is the right next step for you? Start with Aufenthaltserlaubnis vs Niederlassungserlaubnis Explained to map out where your current permit fits — then let GoGermany guide you through the paperwork every step of the way.