Permanent residence permit for children

Children can acquire their own permanent residence permit. If your child is a minor, a permanent residence permit can be issued on his or her 16th birthday if he or she has been in possession of a residence permit for five years.

If your child is already 18 years of age and has been in possession of a residence permit for five years, he or she must also have sufficient knowledge of the German language, be able to earn a living or be in school or a vocational training programme or be studying.

Periods of school attendance outside the Federal Republic of Germany are not credited towards the required five years.