Renewing your German residence permit 2026: the complete guide

Legally, a simple principle applies. § 8 (1) AufenthG states:

"The same provisions apply to the renewal of a residence permit as to its issuance." (own translation of "Auf die Verlängerung der Aufenthaltserlaubnis finden dieselben Vorschriften Anwendung wie auf die Erteilung.")

In other words: for a renewal, essentially the same requirements must still be met as at first issuance. These include in particular:

• The purpose of residence still applies — if you hold the permit for study, you are still studying; if for employment, you are still employed.
• Your livelihood is secured (generally without drawing social benefits, depending on the permit).
• A valid passport is available.
• Integration-course obligations have been met where they exist — under § 8 (3) AufenthG, before renewal the authority must establish whether any duty to attend an integration course has been fulfilled.

Which proofs are needed in detail depends on the specific permit. The essentials are summarised in the document checklist, and how requirements differ by permit is explained in Renewal by permit type.

What does "livelihood secured" mean?

A secured livelihood is one of the general standard requirements for issuance (§ 5 (1) no. 1 AufenthG). When it counts as secured is defined in § 2 (3) AufenthG: a livelihood is secured if the foreigner can cover it — including adequate health-insurance cover — without drawing public funds. Expressly not treated as drawing public funds are, among others, child benefit (Kindergeld), the child supplement (Kinderzuschlag), child-raising and parental allowance (Erziehungs-/Elterngeld), education-support benefits (BAföG) and public funds based on contributions paid. Benefits such as Bürgergeld (basic income support), by contrast, do count as public funds within the meaning of this provision.

For some purposes of residence this proof is relaxed or may be waived: for family reunification with Germans, for example, the residence permit for the minor unmarried child and for the custodial parent of a minor unmarried German is to be granted notwithstanding § 5 (1) no. 1 (§ 28 (1) sentence 2 AufenthG); more generally, under § 5 (3) AufenthG the authority may waive the standard requirements in certain cases. This section is purely informational: whether, in a specific case, the livelihood counts as secured is examined and decided solely by the competent immigration authority.

The most important point first: file the renewal application before your permit expires. The reason is in § 81 (4) sentence 1 AufenthG:

"If a foreigner applies before the expiry of his residence permit for its renewal or for a different residence permit, the previous residence permit is deemed to continue from the time of its expiry until the decision." (own translation)

This so-called continuation fiction (Fortbestandsfiktion) means: anyone who applies on time (before expiry) remains lawfully resident until the authority decides — even if the appointment only takes place weeks later. As proof you receive a fiction certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung, § 81 (5) AufenthG).

If, however, the application is filed only after expiry, this effect does not arise automatically. The authority may then order continuation only "to avoid undue hardship" (§ 81 (4) sentence 3 AufenthG) — a matter of discretion, not an entitlement.

Practical recommendation (not law): Many immigration offices advise arranging the appointment or application a few weeks to around two or three months before expiry, because scheduling takes lead time. Legally, all that counts is that the application is filed before the expiry date.

Full details on deadlines and the fiction certificate — including what is ticked on it and what that means for travel — are in Deadlines & Fiktionsbescheinigung.

The immigration office usually requires a fixed core bundle plus permit-specific proofs. Typical items:

• Completed application form of the competent immigration office
• Valid passport (original)
• Current biometric passport photo
• Registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung) / proof of residence
• Proof of secured livelihood (e.g. employment contract, payslips; for study, proof of financing)
• Health insurance proof
• Permit-specific proofs (enrolment, work authorisation, family documents …)

The final list is always set by the competent municipality — it varies by permit and federal state. A complete overview grouped by permit is in the document checklist.

Prepare your renewal with civitas. →

Renewal usually runs in these steps:

1. Secure an appointment — depending on the municipality via an online portal, by email, or via a waiting list.
2. File the application — complete the form and submit documents (in person or, increasingly, digitally).
3. Receive a fiction certificate if no decision has been made by the expiry date.
4. Biometrics/card production — the electronic residence permit (eAT) is produced by the Bundesdruckerei; after approval this usually takes several weeks. Under § 78 AufenthG, the eAT is an independent document with an electronic storage and processing medium.
5. Collect the new permit.

How to get an appointment in your city and what to bring is explained in Appointment at the immigration office.

Fees are set by the Residence Ordinance (Aufenthaltsverordnung, AufenthV). For renewing a residence permit, § 45 AufenthV provides:

For Turkish nationals covered by the association standstill clause, a special rule applies: under § 52a AufenthV only a fee "at the level of the fee charged to Germans for issuing an identity card" is levied (the specific amount follows the Identity Card Fees Ordinance). The full fee overview is in Costs & fees.

If the permit has already expired and no application has been filed, act fast — the automatic continuation fiction no longer applies (see above). What applies now, the role of "undue hardship" under § 81 (4) sentence 3 AufenthG, and how a gap affects later deadlines (for a settlement permit or naturalisation) is covered in Residence permit expired — what to do?.

For many, renewal is not an end in itself but an intermediate station. After five years of holding a residence permit, the settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis, § 9 (2) no. 1 AufenthG) opens up and — with five years of lawful habitual residence and a qualifying permit — naturalisation under § 10 StAG. Every clean, gap-free renewal protects that clock.

An overview of how it connects:

• The path to naturalisation — the four stages from residence permit to German passport.
• Settlement permit: requirements under § 9 AufenthG — the unlimited permit as the next step.
• Naturalisation requirements — what counts at the end of the path.

civitas. is a private application-assistance service — not a public authority and not a law firm. We provide no legal advice and no forecast of success. What we do: we guide you through the details in a structured way, help you complete the application and assemble the document checklist so you can submit completely and on time to your immigration office. The decision rests solely with the authority.

Prepare your renewal application with civitas. →

When do I have to renew my residence permit?

In good time before it expires. Only then does the previous permit continue to apply until the decision under § 81 (4) sentence 1 AufenthG. Many offices recommend a lead time of a few weeks up to two or three months for scheduling.

Does my residence permit renew automatically?

No. Under § 81 (1) AufenthG, a residence permit is issued only on application ("Ein Aufenthaltstitel wird einem Ausländer nur auf seinen Antrag erteilt, soweit nichts anderes bestimmt ist." — a residence permit is issued to a foreigner only on application, unless otherwise provided); a renewal likewise requires such an application. It must be filed in good time before expiry — only then does the continuation fiction apply (§ 81 (4) sentence 1 AufenthG). There is no automatic renewal without an application.

What is a Fiktionsbescheinigung?

A certificate of the effect of your application (§ 81 (5) AufenthG). It documents that you are lawfully resident in Germany while your application is processed. Details in Deadlines & Fiktionsbescheinigung.

How long does a renewal take?

There is no general statutory decision deadline — how long processing takes depends on the competent immigration authority and its workload. Anyone who files the application before expiry is covered by the continuation fiction (§ 81 (4) sentence 1 AufenthG) and remains lawfully resident in Germany until the authority decides; the fiction certificate (§ 81 (5) AufenthG) serves as proof. A reliable forecast of the duration is not possible.

For how long is the residence permit renewed?

This concerns the validity period of the new permit — not the processing time (see the previous question). How long the renewal runs depends on the specific residence permit and is set by the competent immigration authority at its discretion. For the permits of the humanitarian section, for example, § 26 (1) AufenthG provides that the residence permit may be issued and renewed for a maximum of three years at a time, with shorter maximum durations in certain cases. The specific validity period is set by the authority in each individual case.

What does renewing a residence permit cost?

Under § 45 AufenthV, €93 (renewal by more than 3 months) or €96 (up to 3 months). Association-eligible Turkish nationals pay the reduced fee under § 52a AufenthV.

Do the same requirements apply to renewal as to first issuance?

Yes. § 8 (1) AufenthG expressly refers to the same provisions. The purpose of residence must continue and your livelihood must be secured.

Can I change the purpose of residence when I renew?

Purely informational: § 81 (4) sentence 1 AufenthG expressly also covers an application filed before expiry for "the issuance of a different residence permit" ("die Erteilung eines anderen Aufenthaltstitels") — so the continuation fiction also applies if you apply, in good time, for a permit with a different purpose of residence. Whether such a change of purpose is admissible in a specific case depends on the permit in question and is examined and decided solely by the competent immigration authority. civitas. provides no assessment of prospects of success or risk.

Can I renew my residence permit despite receiving Bürgergeld?

Purely informational: a secured livelihood is a general standard requirement (§ 5 (1) no. 1 in conjunction with § 2 (3) AufenthG), and Bürgergeld counts as public funds within the meaning of this provision (see "What does 'livelihood secured' mean?" above). Depending on the permit, however, exceptions exist: for family reunification with Germans, the residence permit for certain family members is to be granted notwithstanding § 5 (1) no. 1 (§ 28 (1) sentence 2 AufenthG), and more generally, under § 5 (3) AufenthG the authority may waive the standard requirements in certain cases. Whether a renewal is granted in a specific case is examined and decided solely by the competent immigration authority.

Can I renew if I have lost my job or am unemployed?

Purely informational and without any individual-case forecast: losing your job can touch two levels. First, the secured livelihood — this is a general standard requirement (§ 5 (1) no. 1 in conjunction with § 2 (3) AufenthG; see "What does 'livelihood secured' mean?" above and the question on Bürgergeld). Second, for a purpose-bound employment permit the purpose of residence may be affected, because under § 8 (1) AufenthG the same provisions apply to renewal as to issuance. The extent to which this applies to which permit — and the fact that the authority may waive standard requirements in certain cases under § 5 (3) AufenthG — is covered permit by permit on the page Renewal by permit type. Whether a renewal is granted in a specific case is examined and decided solely by the competent immigration authority. civitas. provides no assessment of prospects of success or risk.

Can I renew my residence permit after a separation or divorce?

Purely informational and without any individual-case forecast: for a residence permit granted for spousal reunification, the purpose of residence is tied to the marital cohabitation. For the case where this cohabitation ends, § 31 AufenthG provides an independent right of residence for the spouse: under § 31 (1) AufenthG, the spouse's residence permit is renewed as an independent right of residence, detached from the purpose of family reunification, if the marital cohabitation has, as a rule, lawfully existed in Germany for at least three years. § 31 (2) AufenthG provides hardship exceptions to this three-year requirement (cases of particular hardship — for example, where the obligation to leave the country arising from the dissolution of the marital cohabitation would seriously impair the spouse's interests worthy of protection). Whether these conditions are met in a specific case is examined and decided solely by the competent immigration authority. How requirements differ by permit is covered in Renewal by permit type. civitas. provides no assessment of prospects of success or risk.

What if my permit has already expired?

Then the automatic continuation fiction no longer applies; the authority may order continuation only in cases of undue hardship (§ 81 (4) sentence 3 AufenthG). Act immediately — see Residence permit expired.

On what grounds can a renewal be refused?

Purely informational and without reference to any individual case: because, under § 8 (1) AufenthG, the same provisions apply to renewal as to issuance, possible grounds include, in particular, that one of the general requirements for issuance under § 5 (1) AufenthG is no longer met — for example the livelihood is not secured (§ 5 (1) no. 1), the passport obligation is not fulfilled (§ 5 (1) no. 4) or a ground for expulsion (Ausweisungsinteresse) exists (§ 5 (1) no. 2) — or that the purpose of residence has ceased (e.g. studies abandoned, employment ended). Whether such a ground exists and how it is to be weighed is examined and decided solely by the competent immigration authority. civitas. provides no assessment of prospects of success or risk.

What happens if the renewal is refused?

A refusal can be challenged by an objection (Widerspruch) or a court action (Klage) (the objection deadline is one month from notification, § 70 (1) VwGO; the action deadline is one month from service of the objection decision, § 74 (1) VwGO — the decision's legal-remedies notice remains authoritative). Important: under § 84 (1) AufenthG, an objection and a court action against the refusal have no suspensory effect — so the obligation to leave the country associated with the refusal initially remains in place. Because of the deadlines and the obligation to leave, having the case checked by a lawyer is advisable here. civitas. does not provide any assessment of the prospects of success.

What can I do if the authority does not decide on my application at all?

Purely informational and without any individual-case forecast: a distinction must be drawn between a refusal (see the previous question) and inaction — where the immigration authority, over an extended period, does not decide at all on an application filed in good time. As long as the application was filed before expiry, the continuation fiction (§ 81 (4) sentence 1 AufenthG) secures lawful residence until the authority decides; the fiction certificate (§ 81 (5) AufenthG) serves as proof. For cases of excessive inaction, administrative procedural law provides for the action for failure to act (Untätigkeitsklage): under § 75 sentence 1 VwGO, the action is admissible, by way of derogation from § 68 VwGO, where no decision on the merits has been made on an application to perform an administrative act "without sufficient reason within a reasonable period" ("ohne zureichenden Grund in angemessener Frist"). Under § 75 sentence 2 VwGO, as a rule it cannot be brought before three months have elapsed since the application, unless a shorter period is required by the special circumstances of the case. Whether, in a specific case, "sufficient reason" is lacking, the "reasonable period" has been exceeded, and such an action comes into consideration is examined and decided solely by the competent administrative court; whether this step is advisable in an individual case should be checked by a lawyer. civitas. provides no legal advice, does not represent you before the authority or the court, and provides no assessment of the prospects of success.

Does time on a residence permit count towards naturalisation?

For § 10 StAG, what counts is lawful habitual residence for five years; a continuously valid (and, where necessary, repeatedly renewed) residence permit contributes to this. The overview is in The path to naturalisation.