FROM TEMPORARY TO PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT JOURNEY IN GERMANY

 

Never in my life did I imagine that I would get the chance to live in Europe, but here I am, holding a permanent residence permit that's valid forever! (I just need to renew the card every 10 years 😀)

I am so thankful to my husband, without him, I wouldn't be here, since he lives in Germany.

If you are married to a German national or planning to settle here in Germany for good, this blog is for you. I'll share the exact steps I took, from the day I arrived with a long-term visa (Family Reunification Visa), to getting a temporary residence permit, and finally my permanent residence permit.

 

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

Temporary Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis):
This is usually valid for 1-5 years (it depends on your city and your situation). But it has conditions. If you were granted this permit because you are married to a German citizen, it could be revoked if the marriage ends (separation or divorce) before you meet the requirements for permanent residency.

Permanent Residence Permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis):
This is valid for life. You only need to renew the card every 10 years. It is not tied to your marriage. Even if you separate or divorce later, you can still live in Germany as long as you can support yourself.

 

MY JOURNEY..

I arrived in Germany in April 2022 with a Family Reunification Visa (Visa D).

Take Note: Your Visa D is only valid for 90 days. That means you must apply for a residence permit within that time frame, or  you will need to go back to the Philippines once it expires. A visa alone does not allow you to live here long-term.

Here's what I did after arriving:

 

TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT

Step 1: Register Your Address

Within my first week, I registered my address at the registry office (Bürgeramt / Rathaus).

Requirements:

1. Wohnungsgeberbestätigung (Certificate from your landlord / proof of accommodation)
2. Passport
3. Marriage certificate (English/Foreign documents must be translated into German)

Step 2: Apply for Your Residence Permit

My husband called the Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde) to ask about my residence permit. They told us to wait for a letter sent via post/mail, which arrived a few days later.

The letter included:

1. Fiktionsbescheinigung - a document that allows me to stay in Germany legally beyond the 90 days while my temporary residence permit application is processed. This also allows you to work.
2. Residence Permit Application Form
3. Statement on Marital Cohabitation (Erklärung zur ehelichen Lebensgemeinschaft)
4. List of required documents:

• Passport bio page
• Visa
• Biometric passport photo
• Signed Statement on Marital Cohabitation
• Health insurance membership certificate
• German language certificate (A1, A2, B1, etc.)
• My husband's payslips (last 3 months)
• Filled and signed application form

We sent everything by post. After a few weeks, we received an appointment.

At the appointment, they gave me:

• list of schools where I could enroll for the Integration Course (German language up to B1 + culture + history)
• copy of German migrant laws
• notice that I must enroll in the integration course within 2 months and send proof of enrollment

They also gave me an appointment to pay the residence permit fee (€113, but this may change). After payment, they scheduled my appointment to pick up my residence permit card.

My first permit was valid until May 2025.

Overall, the process took about 3 months.

I enrolled in a school in Köln that offered online classes. My first residence permit was valid for 3 years, but the condition was that I must complete the Integration Course to be able to renew it or apply for a permanent residence permit.

I finished the course in about 7 to 8 months, got my B1 Certificate and Integration Course Certificate, and submitted them to the Ausländerbehörde.

Here's my video with a detailed explanation of the Integration Course in Germany (click CC for English/German subtitle) ..

 

 

PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT

Three months before my temporary permit expired, we emailed the Ausländerbehörde to ask for an appointment. They replied with a list of requirements to send first.

After sending them the documents, they reviewed (including my integration records) and confirmed that I already met all the requirements for a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit).

Documents we submitted:

1. Application form
2. My husband's payslips (last 3 months)
3. Employment confirmation from my husband's employer (Bestätigung Befristung Arbeitsverhältnis des Arbeitgebers)
4. Certificate from tax advisor showing income from my business (Bescheinigung Ihres Steuerberater über Ihr Einkommen aus Ihrem Gewerbe- Betriebswirtschaftliche Auswertung aktuell)
5. Bank statement showing rent payment
6. Signed spousal declaration
7. Current health insurance membership confirmation

Tip: Make sure all your documents are less than 3 months old when applying.

After submitting everything, they gave me an appointment for biometrics and to pay the €113 fee. Then we got another appointment to pick up my permanent residence card.

Holding my permanent residence permit feels like such a big achievement, especially after all the challenges of being in a long-distance relationship before finally living together.

And now, I am waiting for the result of my German Citizenship application, which I submitted in August 2025. I will definitely share that process with you once I get the result!