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IMMIGRATION

Who can get permanent residency the fastest under Germany’s skilled worker law?

Germany's new skilled worker law sets out quicker routes for gaining permanent residency, with some groups offered the chance after just two years as opposed to five. Here's how people can settle in Germany in far less time than usual.

Published: 11 January 2024 15:36 CET
Two Blue Cards for foreign skilled workers are on a table at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in Bavaria.
Two Blue Cards for foreign skilled workers are on a table at the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees in Bavaria. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Daniel Karmann

For any non-EU citizen in Germany, getting a permanent residency permit marks the start of a new chapter of their lives in Germany.

Rather than worrying about visa renewals, appointments at the immigration office and changes of status, permanent residence means the freedom to live and work in the country for as long as you like.

It also means the right to claim benefits, become self-employed and study at a university without any fears about losing your rights.

In normal cases, foreigners become eligible for permanent residency in Germany after living in the country for at least five years. The application process also involves proving you can support yourself financially, have at least 60 months of pension contributions and can speak at least B1 German – among other conditions. 

But for certain groups of foreigners, things move much more quickly – and will become even quicker once Germany’s new skilled worker law is implemented.

Who can get quicker permanent residency in the new law – and when? 

People with Blue Cards and those on a skilled worker permit in Germany will soon be able to get permanent residency in as little as 21 months.

For those on a skilled worker permit, switching to permanent residence from their current status can be done after just four years. However, in March, once the next phase of the skilled worker law is implemented, this will be reduced to just three.

People on an EU Blue Card, meanwhile, can currently get permanent residence after 33 months of employment in Germany, provided they have A1 German.

This is set to be cut to 27 months in March.

If you’re on a Blue Card and have obtained your B1 German or higher, permanent residence is possible after just 21 months of employment. 

READ ALSO: Everything that changes in immigration in Germany in 2024

Who else can get speedier permanent residency? 

If you’re not covered under the skilled worker law, there are a number of other ways you can cut down the wait for permanent residency. The following are some of the most common groups who can apply for a settlement permit in less time: 

Graduates of a German university

If you’ve got a degree from a German university or have completed vocational training in Germany, you can get permanent residency after just two years working as a qualified professional.

That means that, if you complete a two-year MA programme and then move straight into employment, you can get a settlement permit after just four years. 

Students in the lecture hall in the main building of Cologne University.

Students in the lecture hall in the main building of Cologne University. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Rolf Vennenbernd

People with a German family member

If you have a German relative who you live with as part of a family unit, you can usually get permanent residence after three years. If you’re married to or are co-habitating with someone who has a settlement permit, you should also be entitled to permanent residence – even if the marriage or relationship breaks down.

Self-employed people 

If you run a successful small business in Germany, permanent residence is possible after just three years.

Of course, the definition of successful is a subjective one, but a good rule of thumb is that you’re able to fully support yourself and all of your dependents on your freelance or self-employed earnings. 

Civil and public servants

If you’re on a long-term work contract with a public-sector employer in Germany, you can get permanent residence after just three years – and you also won’t have to prove sufficient pension contributions.

The catch is that some public-sector jobs are restricted to EU citizens, so this route may not be as easy as it sounds. 

For a full list of who can get fast-track permanent residency, check out explainer below: 

How to get fast-track permanent residency rights in Germany

But isn’t Germany also making citizenship quicker as well? 

That’s right. Though we don’t know a firm date for this, we are expecting Germany to ease up its citizenship rules around April this year.

That means that people will soon be able to apply for citizenship after just five years with B1 German. 

In addition, there will be a special fast-track route for people with exceptional academic or professional achievements who also speak C1 German. This group of applicants can apply after just three years – making it just as fast as, or faster than, permanent residency in most cases. 

For people married to German spouses, citizenship is currently possible after just three years or residency and two years of marriage, so that’s something to be aware of when making a decision about which status you want to apply for. 

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How German citizenship differs from permanent residency

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GERMAN CITIZENSHIP

How much do you need to earn to qualify for citizenship in Germany?

Applicants for German citizenship need to be able to support themselves financially, but it's often unclear what that means in practice. Here's how to work out if your income is high enough for citizenship.

Published: 15 May 2024 15:29 CEST
How much do you need to earn to qualify for citizenship in Germany?

Out of the requirements for qualifying for a German passport, supporting yourself financially is one of the most important – and one of the most confusing.

Many foreigners assume that the authorities have a magic number in mind and will often worry about whether their income is above or below this threshold.

In reality, though, the law is much more flexible. In section 10 of the nationality law, it states that applicants must show that they “can support themselves and their dependent family members without claiming benefits under the Second or Twelfth Book of the Social Code.”

In other words, that your income is healthy enough to not rely on the state for things like long-term unemployment benefits.

According to Fabian Graske, an immigration lawyer at Migrando, around €1,500 gross per month for a single person is usually considered enough to live on. 

That said, there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all approach to this quesiton. 

When it comes to working out if your income is high enough, you’ll need to take into account a number of factors that your case worker at the naturalisation office will also weigh up. 

That’s why it’s important to ask yourself a number of questions that go beyond just how much you earn: 

How high are your living costs? 

In Germany, there are huge regional differences in the cost of living, so what someone can afford to live on varies hugely from place to place.

For example, someone living in pricey Munich is likely to need much more money for rent or their mortgage than a resident of much more affordable places like Halle or Leipzig, so you should consider whether what you earn is enough to offer a basic standard of living in the city or town you live in. 

READ ALSO: Requirements, costs and permits – 6 essential articles for German citizenship

It is worth mentioning, though, that what you actually pay for rent and bills matters more than the averages. If you’re lucky enough to find an apartment with unusually low rent in Berlin, for instance, you can probably get away with earning less money as well. 

Are you single or do you have a family?

If you’re single and have no children, you’ll likely get a lot more lenience from the authorities when it comes to having a lower-than-average income.

A family sit at a lake.

A family sit at a lake in Bavaria. Image by Eva Mospanova from Pixabay

Of course, if you have dependents such as kids or a spouse who doesn’t work (or both), you’ll need to ensure not only that your own living costs are taken care of, but also that your family can survive on your income alone.

That naturally means you’ll be expected to earn a certain amount more for each dependent child or adult.

On the plus side, any income your spouse does earn will be counted alongside your own, so if you’re the one who is supported by their partner, the authorities will also take this into account. 

Is your job stable or unstable?

One key thing to think about when applying for citizenship is the security of your work contract. Someone who has a long-term contract with an employer and has passed their probationary period will be in a much better position than someone who is still on a three-month trial, for example.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t submit a citizenship application after just starting a new job, but be aware that the authorities may well wait to process your application until you’ve passed the initial probation and have been put onto a longer-term contract. 

A similar rule of thumb applies to people who are currently claiming Arbeitslosengeld I (ALG I), or unemployment insurance. Though this doesn’t disqualify you from citizenship, it may delay your application until you can find a stable job. 

READ ALSO: Can I still get German citizenship after claiming benefits?

Do you need to rely on welfare payments to get by?

A key aspect of German naturalisation law is working out whether you’re likely to be a financial burden on the state by relying too much on the welfare system.

The entrance to the Jobcenter in Düsseldorf,

The entrance to the Jobcenter in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Oliver Berg

While everyone needs a helping hand from time to time, claiming benefits like long-term unemployment benefit (Bürgergeld) or housing benefit (Wohngeld) to top up your income sadly shuts you out of the naturalisation process and could also make it hard for you to qualify in the future. 

Luckily, this doesn’t apply to all types of state support – Kindergeld, ALG I and Bafög don’t count, for example – so seek advice from a lawyer or your local citizenship office if you’re unsure.

How old are you?

Though this is hard to fully quantify, age can sometimes play a role in assessments of your financial fitness in Germany.

A young person fresh out of university or vocational college may be seen as someone with high earning potential over the years, so in some cases the authorities may take a more relaxed approach to their current income.

In contrast, an older person coming to the end of their working life could be held to slightly stricter standards. 

This is also why it can be important to show that you have sufficient pension contributions or another form of security for the future, such as owning your own home or having lots of savings. 

READ ALSO: How can over 60s get German citizenship under the new nationality law?

What counts as ‘income’ under German law?

It’s important to note that income doesn’t just have to mean the salary you get at your job: income from rental properties, side hustles and freelance gigs can also be included, as well as things like alimony payments after divorce.

Once again, if you’re unsure, just ask. The citizenship offices are there to advise you and should give you clear instructions about what kind of documents count as proof of income in your application. 

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