In certain exceptional cases, you may be granted a settlement permit if Germany has a particular political interest in your stay. Further information is available here.
A settlement permit to protect specific political interests may be granted in exceptional cases if this is in Germany's particular political interest. This decision is made by the Federal Government, for example, if your stay is important for Germany for foreign or security policy reasons.
The settlement permit is a permanent residence permit. It allows you to work and live anywhere in Germany, and there are usually no additional requirements.
The Federal Republic of Germany has a particularly strong political interest in your stay.
The decision to grant a settlement permit rests solely at the discretion of the federal government; there is no legal entitlement. The political assessment is made at the federal level, usually by the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The local immigration authority merely implements this decision. The usual requirements for a settlement permit may be waived in individual cases, in whole or in part. Revocation is possible if the political interest no longer exists or if new grounds for exclusion arise. This rule is rarely applied and generally concerns exceptional individual cases.
Application deadline: None
The settlement permit is issued for an unlimited period. Only the electronic residence permit (eAT card) is issued for a limited period and must be renewed after its expiration date.
The processing time depends on the individual case.
The delivery time for the electronic residence permit from the Federal Printing Office is usually 2 to 4 weeks.
The fee is EUR 113.00 for adults and EUR 56.50 for children.
Section 23 Residence Act (AufenthG)
Last updated: 07.09.2025