Regulations about living in Germany are defined in the Residence Act. This concerns people who are not citizens of a member state of the European Union (EU) or a member state of the European Economic Area (Europäischer Wirtschaftsraum).

Would you like to stay in Germany for a short period of time just for a visit? Then you will find further information here.

A residence permit is needed to stay for a longer time. This is issued as

• Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)
• EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU)
• Settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis)
• Permanent EU residence permit

There is a special rule for Swiss nationals and members of their families. Their residence permit serves only to certify the existing right to freedom of movement. If you are a family member of an EU or EEA citizen and are therefore entitled to freedom of movement, you will be issued with a residence card for this purpose.

Source: Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF)

Responsible for all questions concerning the stay is the Foreigners Authority of the Wetteraukreis (Ausländerbehörde).