A visa allows you to enter Germany, but if you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) from the local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde).
You can only apply for a residence permit after registering your address at the local registration office (Bürgeramt).
Important: You must complete this Anmeldung (address registration) within 14 days of moving into your new residence. Learn more about registering your address here.
Once registered, you should contact your local Ausländerbehörde as soon as possible to apply for your residence permit. In most cases, this should be done within the first 90 days of your stay in Germany.
If you entered Germany on a national visa (Type D), it is typically valid for 90 days. During this time, you are expected to transition to a proper residence permit for the purpose of your stay (e.g. work, study, family reunification).
Do not overstay your visa, apply for residence as soon as you can.
Where must you apply
You apply at the immigration office (Ausländerbehorde)
Depending on where you live, this can be in your city (Stadkreis) or at the district office (Landratsamt).
You can use the Ortdienste website to find your local office. Click on the Bundesländer and zoom in from there.
Another website to use is Melderegister
You can also search online for Ausländerbehörde and your town e.g. Ausländerbehörde Leinfelden.
In smaller towns, the Bürgeramp and the Ausländerbehorde are in the same building but this may not be the case in bigger cities.
Documents needed
- Valid passport
- Proof of income, e.g. employee contract
- Proof of medical insurance
- Registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) that you get from the Bürgeramt after registering with them. This will be your new proof of residence, but take your rental agreement with you just in case.
- Completed application form
- Biometric photos
- the rest will depend on the purpose of stay e.g for work, study etc.
Vocabulary
| Proof of residence | die Wohnungsgeberbestätigung |
| Obligation to register | die Meldepflicht |
| Residence permit | die Aufenthaltserlaubnis |
| Registration certificate | die Anmeldebescheinigung |
What do you get
Your first Residence card will be temporary, valid depending on your situation and conditions, for example, the period of your studies, Family reunification or work situation. Again, depending on your situation, you can apply for permanent residence after a certain amount of time.
Proof of residence is in the form of a physical chip card. Read more about what it offers and how to use it here.
Residence in Germany
A Visa allows you to enter Germany, and stay for no more than 90 days in a 180-day cycle.When you want to stay in Germany for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for the correct visa in your home country and once you are in Germany, apply
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