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Child's Independent Residence Right

GermanyLong-term residence

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What exact status does accumulated residence lead to?

On coming of age, the child's residence permit becomes an independent right of residence, unrelated to the purpose of family reunification.

See recorded sources

What qualifying residence period is required and when does the period begin?

The independence also arises when a settlement permit or EU long-term residence permit is granted, or when the permit is extended by analogy with s.37 (right of return); the law sets no separate minimum number of years.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No explicit minimum residence period stated in s.34.

Which types of residence count fully, partially or not at all where the official rules specify this?

The residence that matters is residence with a child's residence permit that is extended while a custodial parent holds a residence permit, settlement permit or EU long-term residence permit and the child lives with that parent, or while the child would have a right of return under s.37.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • s.34 does not specify partial counting of periods.
  • https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/BJNR195010004.html
    (1) Die einem Kind erteilte Aufenthaltserlaubnis ist abweichend von § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 und § 29 Abs. 1 Nr. 2 zu verlängern, solange ein personensorgeberechtigter Elternteil eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis, Niederlassungserlaubnis oder eine Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt – EU besitzt und das Kind mit ihm in familiärer Lebensgemeinschaft lebt oder das Kind im Falle seiner Ausreise ein Wiederkehrrecht gemäß § 37 hätte.

What absence/continuity rules affect accumulation of the qualifying residence period?

Under the general rule a residence title expires if the holder leaves Germany for a non-temporary reason or does not re-enter within six months (or a longer period set by the foreigners authority).

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • General s.51(1) rule, not specific to s.34.

What other major conditions apply, how is the status obtained, and what renewal, document-validity, retention or loss rules matter?

The independent residence permit may be extended as long as the conditions for a settlement permit and EU long-term residence permit are not yet met; a minor holding a family residence permit who, on turning 16, has held it for five years is to be granted a settlement permit (in derogation from section 9(2)). The official source does not state the application procedure.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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