The residence permit 

2. Settlement permit for asylum seekers or refugees

Persons recognized as entitled to asylum or refugees, i.e., those who possess a residence permit pursuant to Section 25 Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 2 No. 1 of the Aliens Act, have the right to apply for and receive a permanent residence permit. The most important privileges are:

• Securing one's livelihood
• The obligation to pay pension insurance contributions
• German language skills
• And housing requirements.

2.1 Special requirements

• Right to apply after 5 years (the duration of the asylum procedure is counted towards the required time)
• There must be no notification from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) stating that the conditions for the revocation or cancellation of asylum or refugee status have been met. For recognition granted between 2015 and 2017, a statement from the BAMF is mandatory.
• The person's livelihood must be almost entirely secured by their own resources. This can be assumed if the applicant covers more than three-quarters of their living expenses through their own employment, i.e., receives only partial social benefits. This requirement may be waived for people of retirement age.
• Sufficient German language skills (level A2). Proof of language skills is not required if the person was unable to acquire language skills due to illness or a physical, mental, or psychological disability.
• There must be no reasons of public safety that would preclude it, and the stay must not pose a danger to Germany.
• If the foreigner is an employee, he must possess a work permit.
• The foreigner must have all the permits required for his economic activity.
• The foreigner possesses basic knowledge of the legal and social system and way of life in Germany. This requirement is considered fulfilled if the person has successfully completed an integration course. The same applies if they have obtained a school or university degree in Germany or attended school in Germany for several years.
• The foreigner has an apartment with sufficient space for himself and his family members.

4. Settlement permit for persons with residence permits for political or humanitarian reasons

The immigration authority may, at its own discretion, grant a settlement permit to persons who hold a residence permit based on subsidiary protection (Section 25 Paragraph 2 Sentence 1 Alternative 2) or protection from deportation (Section 25 Paragraph 3). The requirements for these are higher than for asylum seekers or refugees and focus primarily on the person's existing integration efforts.

4.1 Special requirements

• The foreigner must have held a residence permit for humanitarian reasons for at least 5 years (the duration of the asylum procedure will be counted towards the required time).
• Livelihood must be secured. Unlike asylum seekers or refugees, the person's livelihood must be fully secured.
• It is not decisive whether the reasons that led to the granting of protection still exist.
• He must have paid compulsory or voluntary contributions to a statutory pension insurance scheme for at least 60 months or prove payment of a comparable benefit entitlement from an insurance and protection institution or an insurance company.
• There must be no reasons of public safety that would preclude it, and the stay must not pose a danger to Germany.
• A foreigner is entitled to engage in gainful employment, provided he is an employee.
• The foreigner has all the necessary permits for his economic activity.
• The foreigner has sufficient German language skills (level B1). This does not need to be proven if the applicant was unable to acquire German language skills due to illness or a physical, mental, or psychological disability.
• The foreigner possesses basic knowledge of the legal and social system and way of life in Germany. This requirement is considered fulfilled if the person has successfully completed an integration course. The same applies if a school or university degree has been obtained in Germany or if a school was attended in Germany for several years.
• The foreigner has an apartment with sufficient space for himself and his family members.