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Expiry of a residence title during a stay abroad

Stempel mit der Aufschrift ungültig

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Do you have a German residence title and want to leave Germany for a certain period of time?

In this case, please note the different deadlines after which residence titles expire automatically!

The following applies to all residence titles:

  • The deadline was only exceeded because of the completion of military service? In this case, the residence title does not expire as long as the holder returns to Germany within three months of being discharged from military service.
  • Are you planning to stay abroad for longer than the period stipulated for your residence title? Then please submit an application to us beforehand.

Different deadlines for residence titles

Residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)

  • A residence permit expires 6 months after leaving Germany.
  • A longer period may be permitted upon application if the stay abroad serves the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany. This is the case, for example, with
    • a stay as a development aid worker,
    • as a family member of a German diplomat abroad,
    • as a student at a local university in accordance with § 16 for one or two guest semesters at a foreign university,
    • or working abroad for an internationally active company based in Germany.
  • Please note: If you leave Germany to start a school or university education abroad, your residence permit will become invalid as soon as you leave the country. Whether you return before the end of the 6-month period is irrelevant.

EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU)

  • An EU Blue Card becomes invalid 12 months after leaving Germany.
  • This time limit also applies to family members of an EU Blue Card holder if they have a residence permit for family reasons.
  • A longer period may be permitted upon application if the stay abroad serves the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany. This is the case, for example, when working abroad for an internationally active company based in Germany.

Permanent settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)

  • A permanent settlement permit becomes invalid 6 months after leaving Germany.
  • A permanent settlement permit becomes invalid 12 months after leaving Germany
    • if the foreigner has reached the age of 60
    • and has resided legally in Germany for at least 15 years.
    • The same applies to the spouse living with him/her with a settlement permit if he/she is also at least 60 years old.
  • A permanent settlement permit does not become invalid even after a longer stay abroad
    • if you have been legally resident in Germany for at least 15 years and your livelihood is secured (this also applies to the spouse with a permanent residence title) or
    • in the case of a marital partnership or registered civil partnership with a German national
    • The Berlin Immigration Office or the Berlin Citizens Registration Offices (Bürgeramt) will issue a certificate in this respect. This certificate may be required for re-entry into Germany.
  • In all other cases a longer period may be permitted upon application if
    • the stay abroad is only temporary (e.g. to care for a close relative, for a guest semester during a course of study) or
    • if the stay abroad serves the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany (see above under “Residence permit”).

EU long-term residence permit (Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt-EU)

  • A EU long-term residence permit expires
    • after 12 months if you stay outside the European Union, or in the EU countries Denmark and Ireland,
    • after 24 months for stays outside the European Union, or in the EU countries Denmark and Ireland, if you previously had an EU Blue Card (this period also applies to your family members with a residence permit for family reasons),
    • after 6 years outside Germany or
    • if you obtain a EU long-term residence permit in another EU member state.
  • An EU EU long-term residence permit does not become invalid even after a longer stay abroad
    • if you have been legally resident in Germany for at least 15 years and your livelihood is secured (this also applies to the spouse with a permanent residence title) or
    • in the case of a marital partnership or registered civil partnership with a German national
    • The Berlin Immigration Office or the Berlin Citizens Registration Offices (Bürgeramt) will issue a certificate in this respect. This certificate may be required for re-entry into Germany.
  • In all other cases a longer period may be permitted upon application if
    • the stay abroad is only temporary (e.g. to care for a close relative, for a guest semester during a course of study) or
    • if the stay abroad serves the interests of the Federal Republic of Germany (see above under “Residence Permit”).

Further information about this

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