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Hamburg.deHamburg ServiceApply for a certificate confirming the...City Foreign Affairs

City Foreign Affairs

Apply for a certificate confirming the continued existence of the settlement permit

If you plan to stay abroad for an extended period, you may need a certificate confirming the continued validity of your permanent residence permit.

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Detailed description

If you have a settlement permit and stay abroad for an extended period, this may affect your residence status in Germany. Although the settlement permit is valid for an unlimited period, it may expire if you stay abroad for more than six months.



To ensure that your settlement permit does not expire, you can obtain a certificate of continued residence before you leave the country. This certificate allows you to stay abroad for more than six months without losing your residence status in Germany.

 

Information

Prerequisites

  • You have a valid residence permit.
  • You can secure your livelihood from your own resources.
  • There is no interest in deporting you.

Documents required

  • Proof of housing costs including heating costs (at least the last 3 bills)
  • Proof of income after entry

Please note

Your certificate may contain a deadline by which you must return to Germany. If you are unable to return in time, for example, due to an illness that prevents you from traveling, you must apply for an extension of your certificate.

Deadlines

no

Procedure

  • You contact the responsible authority.
  • The responsible office will send you an appointment for an interview.
  • Please bring all necessary documents, preferably in original, to the appointment.
  • The responsible authority will check your identity and documents.
  • The competent authority shall involve other authorities where necessary.
  • If your application is approved, you will receive the certificate.
  • If the application is rejected, you will receive a rejection notice with the reasons for the rejection.

Processing time



Processing will take place directly at the appointment if all documents are complete.

Fees



18.00 EUR

Payment methods available

  • Girocard
  • Classic credit card

Legal remedies

Contradiction

Legal basis

Section 51 (2) sentence 3, (4) Residence Act (AufenthG)


Address and contact information

City Foreign Affairs

In Hamburg, the office where you received your settlement permit is responsible for issuing the certificate.

  • Platz der Republik 1
    22765 Hamburg
  • Accessible

The location will be closed on September 4, 2025.


The location will only be open until 2 p.m. on October 2 and 30, 2025.


The location will only be open until 12:30 p.m. on December 23 and 30, 2025.


The location will only be open until 1 p.m. on January 2, 2026.
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At our Speed Capture terminals, you can easily capture the biometric data (photo, fingerprints, signature) you need to apply for an identity card, passport, residence permit, or travel document. This data will be accessed solely for the purpose of applying for the requested document by a clerk and will not be used for any other purpose. The data will be deleted within 60 minutes of retrieval, and within 12 hours if not retrieved.



The collected data can be used for multiple documents, such as identity cards and passports.


Please note that the photo booth is not suitable for passport photos of infants and small children.


You will not receive a print of your photo.



The cost to capture and digitally transmit a photo is EUR 6.00. This fee is collected by the clerk along with other fees.



The self-registration terminal cannot be used for fishing licenses or driver's license applications. Please bring a biometric passport photo for this purpose.

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Keywords: stays abroad Right of residence Return period Expiration of a right of residence 搂 51 Residence Act (AufenthG)

Last updated: 07.09.2025