Germany has specified four conditions that self-employed foreign nationals must meet to qualify for a settlement permit, the country's permanent residence title. The requirements were published on the official Make it in Germany portal, run by the German government.
Eligibility for Self-Employed Foreigners
Foreign nationals holding a temporary residence permit for self-employment under Section 21 of the Residence Act can apply for a settlement permit after completing three years of self-employment in Germany. The settlement permit grants holders the right to live permanently in Germany with their family members, without restrictions on whether they work as an employee or continue running their own business.
Unlike a temporary residence permit, a settlement permit does not require renewal and is not tied to a specific employer or business activity.
The Four Conditions
The Make it in Germany portal lists four specific requirements that an applicant must satisfy at the time of applying:
- The applicant must hold a valid residence title that permits self-employment.
- They must have been running their own business for a minimum of three years.
- The nature and track record of their business activities must give reasonable grounds to expect that the venture will continue to grow in a sustainable direction.
- The applicant must be able to show that both they and any family members residing with them can cover their own living costs on a long-term basis, without relying on state support.
Meeting all four conditions makes a person eligible to apply under Section 21 (4) of the Residence Act.
Alternative Routes and Further Information
The portal notes that foreign nationals who do not fall under the self-employment category can visit the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) to explore the specific settlement permit route that applies to their situation.
Legit.ng has also published residency years for foreigners who want to become Qatari citizens. In related news, Australia's Department of Home Affairs outlined the residence requirement foreigners must meet before applying for citizenship. Applicants must have lived in Australia on a valid visa for a number of years before the date they apply, with rules specifying how much time they may have spent outside Australia during that period.
