Elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel

Here you will find information on issuing the electronic residence permit.

Foreign citizens in Germany require a residence permit.

From September 1, 2011, the electronic residence permit with a certified chip in credit card format will be introduced. The introduction of the electronic residence permit will replace the previous residence permit (adhesive label), the residence and permanent residence card and the paper substitute ID card.

The electronic residence permit will be issued for the following residence permits

• Residence permit
• Settlement permit
• EC permanent residence permit
• Residence card for family members of EU citizens who are not EU citizens
• Permanent residence card for family members of EU citizens who are not EU citizens
• Residence permit for Swiss nationals
• EU Blue Card

The chip of the electronic residence permit generally contains

• personal data,
• biometric data (facial image and two fingerprints) and
• ancillary provisions (conditions, e.g. for gainful employment),

stored.

It is also possible to store data on the chip

• Data for electronic government services (electronic proof of identity) and
• qualified electronic signature

can be stored on the chip. The use of these online ID functions can be switched on or off if desired.

As fingerprints are stored on the chip of the electronic residence permit, the applicant(s) aged 6 and over will always have to appear in person in future.

Different documents are required depending on the purpose of your stay. Please contact the responsible office.

Fees may apply. Please contact the responsible office.

The electronic residence permit is issued by the Bundesdruckerei in Berlin and sent to the responsible office. This results in waiting times of approx. 4 to 6 weeks.

Please apply for the extension of a residence permit at least 2 months before your previous residence permit expires.

The maximum period of validity is 10 years for unlimited residence permits. However, it is linked to the validity of your passport. For temporary residence permits, the validity date of the permit is used.

The previous residence permits in passports and passport replacement documents will remain valid until 31.08.2021 at the latest.

There will be no exchange of old residence permits in label form for the new electronic residence permit. This means that all previous residence permits will remain valid until the expiry of the time limit, until the passport is reissued or extended. An electronic residence permit will only be ordered when applying for an extension or transferring the residence permit.

As the competent authority issues the electronic residence permit but no longer issues it itself, the residence permit can no longer be extended directly by the competent authority at the time of the application. This regulation also applies to passport transfers.

• Foreign citizens in Germany require a residence permit.
• The electronic residence permit is issued for certain residence titles.
• Different documents are required depending on the purpose of residence.
• The electronic residence permit is issued by the Bundesdruckerei in Berlin and sent to the relevant office. This results in waiting times of approx. 4 to 6 weeks.

• Apply for an extension of the residence permit at least 2 months before the previous residence permit expires.

• The maximum period of validity is 10 years for unlimited residence permits. However, it is linked to the validity of the passport. For temporary residence permits, the validity date of the permit is used.

• Responsibility for the application lies with the immigration authorities (districts and independent cities).

The responsibility for the application lies with the immigration authorities (districts and independent cities).