Permanent residence permit for self-employed persons

If you successfully implement your planned self-employment, a permanent residence permit can be issued after only three years, provided that the livelihood for the entire family is secured through your activities and sufficient old-age provisions exist.

With regard to a successful implementation, various factors need to be examined (e.g. whether the business generates a profit, whether jobs have been created) and a forecast of future prospects needs to be made.

It is not possible for freelancers to obtain a permanent residence permit after three years. You can apply for a permanent residence permit according to Sect. 9 AufenthG or an EU long-term residence permit according to Sect. 9a AufenthG after five years. In the case of a German university degree, a freelancer can also apply for a permanent residence permit according to Sect. 18b AufenthG.