Residence permit for foreigners with a long-term residence in an EU member state at the location LEA, Keplerstr.

Information on the address of this location

The postal address differs from the address of the location.
Therefore, please always send letters to:
Landesamt für Einwanderung, Friedrich-Krause-Ufer 24, 13353 Berlin.

Additional information

• Fee payments are also possible by credit card (VISA, Mastercard) and contactless via smartwatch or smartphone.
• Photo booth available on the ground floor. Photos cost 5 euros. Please pay cash with coins or 5-euro notes (no change or card payments accepted at the photo booth).

Payment options

• girocard (with PIN)

Foreigners who are entitled to posses the legal status of a long-term resident in an EU member state will be granted a residence permit if their stay within the territory of the Federal Republic shall last longer than three months.

Foreigners entitled to long-term residence are those who hold a residence permit (under EU Directive 2003/109/EG of 25.11.2003) bearing the designation "permanent residence EG" or "permanent residence EU" in the respective official language of the issuing EU member state.

Excluded from this are holders of a residence title issued by Great Britain, Denmark and Ireland, since these EU member states do not apply the corresponding EU directive 2003/109/EG dated 25.11.2003.

The general prerequisites for issuing a German residence permit, such as a secure livelihood, apply without restriction.

The residence permit allows gainful employment dependent upon the predominant purpose for which the residence shall serve (e.g. studies, employment, self-employed activity). The §§ 16-21 of the residence law shall be applied analogously.

Prerequisites

• The legal status of a person with long-term residence entitlement in another EU member state
  
  • The right to claim a residence permit exists as a matter of principle only then when in another EU member state a residence permit has already been issued (pursuant to the EU directive 2003/109/EG dated 25.11.2003) bearing the wording "permanent residence EG" or "permanent residence EU" in the respective official language.
  • As a rule, a temporary residence permit without this additional note is insufficient.
  • Only in exceptional cases can the status of long-term residence entitlement be proved by written confirmation issued by the competent authorities of the other EU member state. The residence permit may only be granted on a discretionary basis.
• Main residence in Berlin
• Personal appearance by appointment is required
  
  • Please contact the relevant unit using the contact form to make an appointment (see section “More information”).

Documents required

• Form “Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels" (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit)
  
  Available in German, English, French, Italian, Greek, Turkish, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, and Bosnian;
  only to be completed when applying for the first time.
• Valid passport with long-term residence ("permanent residence EU" or "permanent residence EG") of the other EU member state
• 1 current biometric photo
  
  Please note:
  

  • Since May 1, 2025, biometric passport photos may only be taken digitally at government offices or photo studios and transmitted via a secure electronic channel.
  • Please check the website of the Berlin Immigration Office (see “More information”) for the latest information in good time before your appointment.
• Proof of Income
  
  e.g.
  

  • lease,
  • for students: escrow account at a German Bank or submission of a declaration of commitment by a third party on an official form,
  • bank statements of the last 3 months
• Documentation regarding the intended purpose of stay (original)
  
  e.g. certificate of enrolment, employment etc.
• In certain circumstances: Form "Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis" (filled out)
  
  As a rule, a temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment may only be granted if the Federal Employment Agency has agreed to this.
• Health insurance
• Proof of main residence in Berlin
  
  • Certificate of registration at the main residence or
  • lease and written confirmation of occupancy from the landlord

  More on the topic in the section "More information".

Forms

• Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, English, French, Italian
• Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, Greek, Turkish, Vietnamese
• Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian
• Antrag auf Erteilung eines Aufenthaltstitels (Application for Issuance of a Residence Permit) - in German, Serbian, Bosnian
• Erklärung zum Beschäftigungsverhältnis (job description)

Fees

• 100.00 euros: for the initial issuance of a residence permit
• 93.00 euris: for each renewal of a residence permit
• 50.00 euros: for the initial issuance of a residence permit for minors
• 46.50 euros: for each renewal of a residence permit for minors

Turkish nationals (both for the initial issuance and for renewal):

• 22.80 euros: up to the age of 24
• 37.00 euros: from the age of 24

For creating a digital passport photo at the self-service terminal on site: 6.00 euros

Legal basis

• Aufenthaltsgesetz (AufenthG) § 38a
• EU Directive 2003/109/EG of 25.11.2003

Average time to process request

After the appointment, it takes approximately 4 weeks for the residence permit to be issued as an electronic residence permit and ready for collection.

More information

• Contact forms for making an appointment (Berlin Immigration Office)
• Digital passport photos for residence documents from 01.05.2025 (Berlin Immigration Office)
• Certificate of registration at the main residence (Melde-Bestätigung)
• Example: confirmation of occupancy from the landlord

Notes on responsibility

This service can only be taken advantage of in the Berlin Immigration Office (Landesamt für Einwanderung – LEA) at Keplerstrasse 2.

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