EU Long-Term Residence in Germany: Daueraufenthalt-EU Under § 9a AufenthG

What Is the Daueraufenthalt-EU?

The Daueraufenthalt-EU (EU long-term residence permit) is a form of permanent residence issued under § 9a Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG), giving effect to Council Directive 2003/109/EC. It is similar to the Niederlassungserlaubnis under § 9 AufenthG but carries the added benefit of EU-wide portability: a holder enjoys simplified mobility rights to live and work in most other EU Member States.

Core Requirements

Five years of lawful and continuous residence in Germany under a residence permit.
Sufficient financial means to meet living costs without reliance on means-tested public benefits.
Statutory pension contributions or equivalent — generally 60 months over the qualifying period.
German language proficiency at B1 level (CEFR).
Basic knowledge of the legal and social system and the way of life in Germany
Adequate accommodation.
No grounds for expulsion.

EU Mobility Rights

The principal advantage of the Daueraufenthalt-EU over the Niederlassungserlaubnis is the right to move to another EU Member State and reside there under the long-term resident directive, without needing to restart from scratch in terms of residence history. It also allows holders to leave Germany and the EU for longer periods without the permanent residence expiring, compared to the Niederlassungserlaubnis.

Periods Not Counted Toward the Five Years

Under EU law, residence purely for the purpose of study or vocational training are only counted as half. Two years on a study permit only count as one year for the purpose of obtaining EU PR.

Simultaneous Application with § 9 AufenthG

It is generally possible — and advisable — to apply for both the Niederlassungserlaubnis (§ 9) and the Daueraufenthalt-EU (§ 9a) at the same time, since the documentary requirements largely overlap.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Daueraufenthalt-EU expire? The underlying status does not expire, but the residence document has a physical validity period and must be renewed every ten years at the latest.

Can I lose EU long-term resident status by living abroad? Yes. Absence from the EU for 12 consecutive months — or absence from Germany for six consecutive years — leads to automatic loss of the status.

Last reviewed: August 2026 — RAin Fiona Macdonald

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