As the holder of a residence permit for international law, humanitarian or political reasons, you can obtain a permanent residence permit (so-called settlement permit) after five years under certain conditions.

If you arrived in Germany before the age of 18, please also find out about the settlement permit for underage children and young adults, which is subject to less stringent requirements (see "Issuing a settlement permit for underage children").

If you are in possession of a residence permit as a person entitled to asylum, a recognized refugee under the Geneva Refugee Convention or a resettlement refugee, you can obtain a settlement permit under simplified conditions (see service "Issuing a settlement permit for holders of a residence permit as recognized persons entitled to asylum and refugees").