Germany immigration guide: What it is to be a German permanent resident

Many are excited about Germany immigration and becoming German permanent residents. But what does it mean to be a permanent resident in Germany? Let’s understand it better.

The basics

You can become a permanent resident in Germany only if you meet certain criteria. The following set of criteria is related to your period of stay in Germany. You can become a permanent resident in Germany

• After 4 years if you are a researcher
• After 4 years if you are a skilled worker
• After 2 years if you are a skilled worker with a university degree from Germany or vocational training
• After 33 months if you are holding an EU Blue Card
• After 3 years if you are self-employed
• After 3 years if you are a family member of a German national
• After 5 years if you are a freelancer
• After 5 years if you have arrived in Germany as a refugee or asylum-seeker

Requirements for German Permanent Residence

To be eligible for German Permanent Residence, you must

• Earn enough to meet the expenses of sustaining yourself and your family with no need for support from public funds
• Have a living space that’s large enough to accommodate yourself and the members of your family
• Have paid contributions to the fund for statutory pension insurance while you lived and worked in Germany
• Have worked in a position that matches your qualifications or degree
• Be able to speak German at least on a B1 level as measured by CEFR
• Pass the “Life in Germany” test.

German Permanent Residence – The Benefits

• You will not be required to apply for renewal of your residence permit at an interval of years.
• You can apply for citizenship in Germany after 8 years of living in Germany as a permanent resident.
• You can change jobs or start a business, even if it's unrelated to your educational qualifications.
• You can access German social security benefits (E.g., welfare benefits upon your losing job)
• You can obtain a bank loan to purchase real estate in Germany.
• You can apply for financial aid in case you want to study at a German university.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest, or Migrate to Germany, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 immigration & visa company.

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