Do I have to be German to get a German Residence Permit

If you have plans to move to Germany, you can bet you’ll love this country nicknamed the land of poets and thinkers.

In addition to being the source of great minds, Germany is home to historic castles, monuments, and cathedrals. Germany is also famous for its mouthwatering dishes and beers. Not forgetting the country’s mythical forests and diverse people.

However, before you plan to go and study or work in this beautiful country, you may want to find out if you need a residence permit.

The good news is that in this article, we give you the lowdown on what is a German residence permit, if you need to be German to get one, and how you and your family can apply for permanent residence permits for Germany.

Let’s get right into it, shall we?

What’s a German Residence Permit?

A German residence permit is a document that allows foreigners to stay in Germany for longer than three months. The document is given to non-EU nationals who may wish to stay in Germany for study or work purposes.

However, if you wish to visit Germany for less than three months, you don’t have to worry about a residence permit as you can use a tourist visa for the visit.

Do I Have to Be German to Get a German Residence Permit?

No, you don’t have to be German to apply for a residence permit.

In fact, if you’re a citizen of the EU, European Economic Area (EEU), Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, or Liechtenstein, you don’t need a residence permit to stay in Germany.

However, citizens from non-EU countries should apply for a residence permit if they intend to stay in Germany for more than 90 days.

Types of German Residence Permits

There are various German residence permits, and the documents required to apply for each permit are different.

Thus, you should learn about each of these permits and their purpose.

1. German Temporary Residence Permit

If you intend to reside in Germany for a limited time and for a specific purpose, you’ll need to apply for a temporary residence permit or Aufenthaltserlaubnis. Some types of German temporary residence permits include:

· Germany family residence permit
· German student residence permit
· German residence permit for temporary employment

2. Permanent Residence Permit

This permit allows you to stay in the country as long as possible. It’s also referred to as the settlement permit or Niederlassungserlaubnis.

For you to get the German permanent settlement permit, you must meet the below conditions:

· Should have lived in Germany under the temporary residence permit for at least five years
· Should be financially stable such that you can sustain your needs
· You can speak the German language well as measured by the Common European Framework of References for Languages
· You should have made the required contributions to the statutory pension insurance fund during your stay in Germany
· You should be knowledgeable about the German social, culture, and legal system to pass the Life in Germany test
· The space you live in must comfortably accommodate you and your family
· During your temporary stay in Germany, you must have held an employment position that is in line with your academic qualifications

3. German EU Blue Card

This residence permit is given to nationals from non-EU countries who have professional skills and want to work in Germany. The EU Blue Card validity is for four years, but it can lead to immediate permanent residence for the person provided they hold a job for 33 months.

Other German residence permits include the Germany ICT card and the Germany mobile ICT Card. The former is for workers transferred to a branch of their company located in Germany, while the latter is for workers who want to move to Germany on an intra-corporate transfer.

How to Apply for a German Residence Permit

For you to apply for any of the above residence permits, you’ll need to:

· Register your new German address
· Get German health insurance and transfer some funds to a German bank account
· Fill in the application form and set up an appointment
· Attend the appointment and answer the interview questions
· Complete the Germany visa application form

There you have it!

Now you know what residence permit you need for your move to Germany.

Hopefully, you’ll get your paperwork in order, so you can enjoy your stay in Germany without looking over your shoulders.