When and under what conditions can I apply for a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)?

General route (§ 9 AufenthG): You must have held a residence permit for 5 years, paid at least 60 months of statutory pension contributions, have B1 German and have passed the «Leben in Deutschland» test. You also need to support yourself without state benefits and have adequate housing.

Skilled workers (§ 18c): With a § 18a, § 18b or § 18d permit you can apply after 3 years, with 36 months of contributions and B1 German. If you completed an Ausbildung or university degree in Germany, this drops to 2 years and 24 months of contributions.

EU Blue Card: You can apply after working and paying contributions for 27 months with a Blue Card, if you have basic German (A1). With B1 German this drops to 21 months.

Married couples: On the general route, it may be enough for one spouse to meet the pension contribution requirement. Child-raising periods can also count towards contributions. There are also special rules for people who came through family reunification.

Applying: In Berlin you apply online to the State Office for Immigration (LEA). Prepare your passport, residence card, employment contract, recent payslips, pension insurance history (Versicherungsverlauf), rental contract, and language and test certificates.

Note: Turkish citizens may have additional rights under the EU-Turkey Association Agreement. In complicated cases, get advice from a migration counselling centre or an immigration lawyer.