Refugee status
After a certain period, a permanent status, ‘settlement permit’ (Niederlassungserlaubnis), also translated as ‘permanent residence permit’, can be granted. However, the preconditions for this are more restrictive since August 2016.[1]
- After three years from the issuance of a residence permit, persons with refugee status can be granted a Niederlassungserlaubnis if they can demonstrate they meet advanced criteria of integration. The most important preconditions are that they have to speak German on an advanced level (level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, CEFR), have to be able to cover the ‘overwhelming part’ of the cost of living and have to prove that they have sufficient living space for themselves and their families;[2] The ‘overwhelming part’ leaves the local authorities some discretion. Reliable numbers only exist for Berlin, where more than 75% of their living costs have to be provided.[3]
- After five years of stay in Germany (into which period the duration of the asylum procedure is included), persons with refugee status can be granted a Niederlassungserlaubnis under certain conditions. Most importantly, they have to be able to cover the ‘better part’ of the cost of living, have to speak basic German (level A2 of the CEFR) and have to prove that they have sufficient living space for themselves and their families. As above, the authorities may exercise some discretion in the interpretation of the ‘better part’. Recent municipal guidance illustrates how this discretion is applied in practice: Munich describes ‘more than the better part’ as more than 75% and ‘the better part’ as more than 50% secured from own means; Potsdam refers to about 75% vs about 51%.[4]
As of 31 December 2025, 280,201 persons held a permanent residence permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) under Section 26 of the Residence Act (AufenthG) registered in the Central Register of Foreigners (AZR). The BAMF reported that a total of 8,947 people received the permanent residence permit in 2025 but did not specify if the previous status of the third country nationals.[5]
In both cases, the Niederlassungserlaubnis can only be granted if the BAMF has not initiated a procedure to revoke or withdraw the status. In general, the Niederlassungserlaubnis shall be granted as long as the local authorities do not receive a notification from the BAMF about the initiation of a revocation procedure.
Subsidiary protection and humanitarian protection
Beneficiaries of other types of protection (subsidiary or national) do not have privileged access to a Niederlassungserlaubnis. They can apply for this status after five years, with the duration of the asylum procedure being taken into account.[6] However, they have to meet all the legal requirements for the Niederlassungserlaubnis,[7] such as the requirement to completely cover the cost of living and to possess sufficient living space for themselves and their families. In addition, they have to prove that they have been paying contributions to a pension scheme for at least 60 months (which generally means that they must have had a job and met a certain income level for 60 months).
[1] Section 26(3) Residence Act.
[2] Section 26(3) Residence Act
[3] Netzwerk Berlin Hilft, Lebensunterhaltssicherung für Aufenthalts- oder Niederlassungserlaubnis, lastly updated 2020, available in German at: https://bit.ly/3jjBUD5.
[4] City of Munich, Niederlassungserlaubnis für Asylberechtigte und Flüchtlinge mit eRA, available in German here.
[5] Information provided by BAMF via email in February 2026.
[6] Section 26(4) Residence Act.
[7] Section 9 Residence Act.