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EU Blue Card Settlement — 21 Months with B1 German

GermanyLong-term residence

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

Official link

What exact status does accumulated residence lead to?

A settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis), an unlimited residence title, under the facilitated rules for EU Blue Card holders in s.18c(2) AufenthG.

See recorded sources

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

21 months of employment as an EU Blue Card holder, where the holder has sufficient German (level B1 CEFR); otherwise 27 months.

See recorded sources

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

Periods of employment under s.18g (EU Blue Card) for which compulsory or voluntary statutory pension contributions were paid (or comparable pension-scheme provision is shown).

See recorded sources
  • https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/BJNR195010004.html
    wenn er mindestens 27 Monate eine Beschäftigung nach § 18g ausgeübt hat und für diesen Zeitraum Pflichtbeiträge oder freiwillige Beiträge zur gesetzlichen Rentenversicherung geleistet hat oder Aufwendungen für einen Anspruch auf vergleichbare Leistungen einer Versicherungs- oder Versorgungseinrichtung oder eines Versicherungsunternehmens nachweist

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

An EU Blue Card only expires after 12 months outside Germany (instead of the general six months). The official source does not state how absences are counted within the qualifying employment period.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No rule found on how absences are counted within the 21/27-month employment period.

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

Also required: basic knowledge of the legal and social system (usually the "Living in Germany" test), sufficient living space and ability to cover living costs. Apply at the local foreigners authority; the fee is up to about EUR 150. The settlement permit expires if the holder leaves Germany for a non-temporary reason or stays away beyond six months (or a longer period set by the authority).

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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