--- title: Getting Your First German Residence Title (Aufenthaltstitel) country: germany service: "aufenthaltstitel-issuance" category: immigration difficulty: complex estimated_time: "Several weeks to several months for the pre-arrival D-visa (varies by mission); the post-arrival Ausländerbehörde appointment plus eAT card production typically takes a few weeks more" cost_range: "EUR 75 for the D-visa plus approximately EUR 100 at the Ausländerbehörde for an Aufenthaltserlaubnis or Blaue Karte EU (municipal fee variance applies)" last_verified: 2026-05-12 canonical: https://publicservices.guide/germany/aufenthaltstitel-issuance/ status: current confidence: low tags: - immigration - "residence-permit" - aufenthaltstitel - "blue-card" - fachkraft - "first-issuance" - "new-arrival" sources: - https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__4.html - https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__5.html - https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18g.html - https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__78.html - https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__81.html - https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/procedure/entry-process - https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/eu-blue-card - https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/work-qualified-professionals - https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/skilled-immigration-act - https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/-/231148 --- # Getting Your First German Residence Title (Aufenthaltstitel) **Country:** 🇩🇪 Germany **Last verified:** 2026-05-12 **Estimated time:** Several weeks to several months for the pre-arrival D-visa (varies by mission); the post-arrival Ausländerbehörde appointment plus eAT card production typically takes a few weeks more **Cost:** EUR 75 for the D-visa plus approximately EUR 100 at the Ausländerbehörde for an Aufenthaltserlaubnis or Blaue Karte EU (municipal fee variance applies) ## Required documents - **Valid passport** *(Reisepass)* - Required: Original passport valid for the intended period of stay; per § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 4 AufenthG the Passpflicht must be met - Cost: Already issued - _Note:_ The passport is needed both at the German mission abroad (Auslandsvertretung) for the D-visa and at the Ausländerbehörde for the post-arrival Aufenthaltstitel. - **Visa application form** *(Visumantrag (nationales Visum))* - Required: Long-stay national visa application issued by the competent consular mission - Where to get: Auslandsvertretung website or the Auslands-Service-Portal - Cost: Free (form); fee paid with the application - _Note:_ Per the federal portal, the competent Auslandsvertretung is determined by your ordinary residence and publishes its own document checklist. - **Proof of secured livelihood** *(Nachweis des gesicherten Lebensunterhalts)* - Required: Per § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 AufenthG: the Lebensunterhalt must be gesichert. Acceptable evidence includes a signed Arbeitsvertrag, a Verpflichtungserklärung from a sponsor, or a Sperrkonto (blocked bank account) - Cost: Varies (Sperrkonto setup fees apply at the chosen bank) - _Note:_ For employment routes, the Arbeitsvertrag itself usually serves as livelihood evidence. - **Proof of health insurance** *(Krankenversicherungsschutz)* - Required: Confirmation of statutory or private cover valid from day one of arrival - Cost: Varies by Krankenkasse (out of scope of the Aufenthaltstitel fee) - _Note:_ Per the federal portal, you will need health insurance coverage from the first day of stay. See the German Krankenkasse guides for selection and enrolment. - **Qualification recognition** *(Anerkennung / Zeugnisbewertung / Anerkennungsbescheid)* - Required: For Blaue Karte EU: academic qualification recognised in Germany or comparable to a German academic qualification. For §§ 18a/18b Fachkraft: completed or in-prospect Anerkennung; for regulated professions, the formal Anerkennungsbescheid and licence to practise - Where to get: Competent recognition authority for the profession or, for academic comparability, the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) Zeugnisbewertung - Cost: Varies by procedure - _Note:_ The Anerkennungspartnerschaft introduced under the FEG allows the recognition procedure to begin from Germany in some cases. - **Employment contract or binding job offer** *(Arbeitsvertrag oder verbindliches Arbeitsplatzangebot)* - Required: Signed contract or binding offer matching the qualification, covering at least six months, with salary meeting the route-specific threshold (Blaue Karte EU or §§ 18a/18b Fachkraft) - Cost: Already issued - _Note:_ The employer may file a Vorabzustimmung with the Bundesagentur für Arbeit via the local Ausländerbehörde under the beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren before the visa step. - **Anmeldebestätigung (post-arrival)** *(Anmeldebestätigung / Meldebescheinigung)* - Required: Confirmation of address registration at the Meldebehörde (Bürgeramt) issued after arrival - Where to get: Bürgeramt of your registered residence - Cost: Already issued - _Note:_ Anmeldung is typically required within two weeks of moving in and is a precondition for most Ausländerbehörde appointments. - **Biometric data and passport photo (post-arrival)** *(Biometrisches Passfoto und Fingerabdrücke)* - Required: Recent biometric photo meeting the federal specification; fingerprints and signature captured at the Ausländerbehörde appointment for the eAT under § 78 AufenthG - Cost: Approximately EUR 5-15 for the photo at a studio or photo machine - _Note:_ Per § 78 AufenthG the eAT carries the holder's biometric photo and fingerprints on a chip plus the visible data fields listed in the statute. ## Costs - **D-visa (nationales Visum) at the Auslandsvertretung:** 75 EUR — Per the federal portal: An entry visa fee of €75 is charged for all types of visas issued for long-term stays in Germany. The fee is non-refundable if the application is unsuccessful. - **Aufenthaltserlaubnis (§§ 18a/18b Fachkraft) — first issuance, adult:** 100 EUR — Indicative figure commonly cited under the Aufenthaltsverordnung (AufenthV). Municipal Ausländerbehörden set the exact amount in line with the AufenthV — confirm the binding figure with your local authority before the appointment. - **Aufenthaltserlaubnis — first issuance, minor:** 50 EUR — Indicative figure under the Aufenthaltsverordnung. Verify with your local Ausländerbehörde. - **Blaue Karte EU — first issuance:** 100 EUR — Indicative figure under the Aufenthaltsverordnung. Verify with your local Ausländerbehörde. - **Niederlassungserlaubnis — first issuance, adult (later milestone):** 113 EUR — Out of scope for first arrival but commonly reached after three years on a Fachkraft Aufenthaltserlaubnis under § 18c AufenthG or five years under § 9 (2) AufenthG. Indicative figure — confirm with your local Ausländerbehörde. ## Steps ### 1. Phase A — Pre-arrival: Identify the Right Aufenthaltszweck and Route - With your future employer or sponsor, decide which route fits your Aufenthaltszweck (purpose of stay) — Blaue Karte EU (§ 18g AufenthG), Aufenthaltserlaubnis als Fachkraft (§§ 18a/18b AufenthG), family reunification, study, research, or the Chancenkarte - Per § 5 AufenthG, confirm you can meet the general prerequisites: Lebensunterhalt gesichert, identity established, no Ausweisungsinteresse, Passpflicht met - Check the Auswärtiges Amt country list to confirm whether your nationality requires a D-visa before arrival or qualifies for visa-exempt direct application at the Ausländerbehörde > **Tip:** Use the Make it in Germany portal as the single federal English-language starting point — it links the route pages, the FEG framework, and the country list. _Links:_ - [Make it in Germany — visa and residence](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/eu-blue-card) - [Auswärtiges Amt — visa-requirement country list](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/-/231148) ### 2. Phase A — Pre-arrival: Confirm Qualification Recognition (Anerkennung) - For Blaue Karte EU: confirm your academic qualification is recognised in Germany or comparable to a German academic qualification — a Zeugnisbewertung from the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) is the common evidence - For §§ 18a/18b Fachkraft: complete the Anerkennung procedure, or under the FEG begin an Anerkennungspartnerschaft so that the procedure can continue from Germany - For regulated professions: ensure the formal Anerkennungsbescheid and licence to practise are in place or in prospect before the visa application > **If this fails:** If the recognition is not finalised when the visa is decided, the Auslandsvertretung may refuse the Fachkraft route. Per Make it in Germany, you can apply instead for a Visum zur Anerkennung under § 16d AufenthG and complete the procedure inside Germany. ### 3. Phase A — Pre-arrival: Employer Files Vorabzustimmung (Optional Fast-Track) - Your future employer files the application at the local Ausländerbehörde for the beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren on your behalf - The Ausländerbehörde coordinates the Zustimmung der Bundesagentur für Arbeit and issues a Vorabzustimmung that is sent to the German mission abroad - Take the Vorabzustimmung to your visa appointment — it compresses the decision phase materially > **Tip:** Per Make it in Germany: your future employer may be able to speed up the process from Germany — tell them about the fast-track procedure for skilled workers before you make an appointment at the embassy. _Links:_ - [Make it in Germany — entry process and fast-track](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/procedure/entry-process) ### 4. Phase A — Pre-arrival: Book the Visa Appointment at the Auslandsvertretung - Identify the competent German mission abroad based on your ordinary residence - Book the appointment either online via the Auslands-Service-Portal or directly on the mission's website - Read the mission's own document checklist — it is the authoritative list for your country of application > **If this fails:** Per the federal portal: Waiting times for an appointment at the German embassy vary depending on the location. Plan your job-start date with a generous buffer; some missions have multi-month queues. ### 5. Phase A — Pre-arrival: Submit the D-Visa Application and Pay the Fee - Attend the appointment in person and submit the route-specific document package — Reisepass, Visumantrag, Arbeitsvertrag, Zeugnisbewertung or Anerkennungsbescheid, Krankenversicherungsschutz, livelihood evidence (Sperrkonto / Verpflichtungserklärung if not covered by the contract) - Pay the €75 visa fee — the federal portal states this is non-refundable if the application is unsuccessful - Submit any Vorabzustimmung issued through the fast-track procedure > **Tip:** Given that you are planning to stay in Germany long-term, it is advisable to bring all your personal documents with you, such as your birth certificate, school-leaving certificate, qualifications, and, if it applies to you, driving licence and marriage certificate. You will need health insurance coverage from the first day of stay. > **If this fails:** If the visa is refused, per the federal portal the €75 is not refunded. File a Remonstration with the mission within the deadline stated in the refusal letter, or file Klage at the competent Verwaltungsgericht. ### 6. Phase A — Pre-arrival: Consular Decision and Entry - The Auslandsvertretung decides the application and issues the D-visa (nationales Visum) as a sticker in your Reisepass - The D-visa typically permits initial entry for 90 days — you must convert to the Aufenthaltstitel inside Germany before it expires - Variant — visa-exempt nationals: if you are a national of a country listed by the Auswärtiges Amt as visa-exempt (USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Israel), you may skip the consular step entirely and enter visa-free, then apply for the Aufenthaltstitel directly at the Ausländerbehörde within the 90-days-of-180 window ### 7. Phase B — Post-arrival: Register Your Address (Anmeldung) - Within the statutory deadline (typically two weeks in most Länder), register at the Meldebehörde (Bürgeramt) of your new address - Bring your Reisepass with the D-visa, the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord, and any family members' documents - Collect your Anmeldebestätigung — it is required for the Ausländerbehörde appointment that follows > **If this fails:** Late Anmeldung is an Ordnungswidrigkeit under § 54 BMG with a fine up to €1,000 and blocks most Ausländerbehörde appointments. Complete it as soon as possible after move-in. ### 8. Phase B — Post-arrival: Book the Ausländerbehörde Appointment - Identify the competent Ausländerbehörde based on your registered address — Aufenthaltstitel are issued by the locally competent municipal authority, not by a federal office - Book the appointment via your municipality's online portal or by email, as published by your local Ausländerbehörde - Aim to book well before your D-visa expires; the Fiktionsbescheinigung under § 81 Abs. 4 AufenthG covers in-time applicants until the decision ### 9. Phase B — Post-arrival: Attend the Appointment and Provide Biometrics - Bring your Reisepass with the D-visa, Anmeldebestätigung, Arbeitsvertrag, Krankenversicherungsschutz, biometric photo, and the route-specific documents (Zeugnisbewertung, Anerkennungsbescheid where applicable) - Provide biometric data — fingerprints and signature for the eAT under § 78 AufenthG - Pay the fee at the counter (commonly EUR 100 for an Aufenthaltserlaubnis or Blaue Karte EU under the Aufenthaltsverordnung; the local Ausländerbehörde confirms the binding figure) ### 10. Phase B — Post-arrival: Decision and Fiktionsbescheinigung - The Ausländerbehörde decides the application; per § 81 AufenthG, if the eAT card is not yet available, a Fiktionsbescheinigung is issued to bridge the gap and preserve your lawful status - Check the Nebenbestimmungen (side conditions) printed on the Fiktionsbescheinigung — especially the Erwerbstätigkeit (employment) endorsement - Keep the Fiktionsbescheinigung with your Reisepass; banks, employers and travel authorities may rely on it > **If this fails:** If the file is incomplete the Ausländerbehörde may defer the decision; the Fiktionsbescheinigung under § 81 Abs. 4 AufenthG continues to cover an in-time applicant until the file is completed. ### 11. Phase B — Post-arrival: Collect the eAT Card - The Bundesdruckerei produces the elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel (eAT) and dispatches it to the issuing Ausländerbehörde, typically within several weeks of biometric capture - Collect the card in person and verify the 16 visible data fields listed in § 78 AufenthG — name, photo, date and place of birth, address, validity, issuing authority, Art des Aufenthaltstitels and Rechtsgrundlage, signature, serial number, nationality, gender, Anmerkungen, plus the passport reference - Photograph the eAT front and back for your records — banks, employers and immigration officers may ask to see it later > **Tip:** Save a calendar reminder five months before the eAT expiry — see the existing guide on renewing the Aufenthaltstitel (aufenthaltstitel-verlaengerung) for the renewal procedure under § 81 AufenthG. ## FAQ ### What is the difference between a Visum and an Aufenthaltstitel? Per § 4 AufenthG, the Visum is one of four types of Aufenthaltstitel — it is the entry visa issued by the German mission abroad. The Aufenthaltserlaubnis, Blaue Karte EU, and Niederlassungserlaubnis are the in-country titles issued by the Ausländerbehörde after entry. The pre-arrival visa and the post-arrival residence permit are procedurally distinct steps that together complete the first issuance journey for most new arrivals. ### Do I need a D-visa before I travel to Germany? Per the Auswärtiges Amt country list, most third-country nationals do. Nationals of selected countries (including the USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Israel) may enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period and may apply for the Aufenthaltstitel directly at the Ausländerbehörde inside that window. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals do not need any Aufenthaltstitel. ### What is the Blaue Karte EU salary threshold for 2026? Per Make it in Germany, in 2026 the gross annual salary must be at least €50,700 for general occupations and at least €45,934.20 for shortage occupations and for new entrants whose last academic degree was obtained within the past three years. The thresholds are derived from § 18g AufenthG. ### What does Phase A (pre-arrival) and Phase B (post-arrival) mean? Phase A is the visa step you complete outside Germany at the Auslandsvertretung — typically the long-stay D-visa (nationales Visum). Phase B is the residence-title step you complete after entry at your local Ausländerbehörde, where biometrics are taken and the elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel (eAT) card is issued under § 78 AufenthG. Both phases together complete the first issuance. ### Can my employer apply on my behalf? Per the federal portal, many steps are employer-initiated. Under the beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren the employer files at the local Ausländerbehörde and the Zustimmung der Bundesagentur für Arbeit is routed through it before the consular step. The visa itself, however, must be applied for in person by the applicant at the German mission abroad. ### What is the Fiktionsbescheinigung? Per § 81 Abs. 4 AufenthG, when the application is filed in time and the eAT card has not yet been produced, the Ausländerbehörde issues a Fiktionsbescheinigung. It documents that the existing title or your lawful stay continues in effect (gilt der bisherige Aufenthaltstitel … als fortbestehend) until the authority decides. ### How long is the residence title valid? Per Make it in Germany, Aufenthaltserlaubnisse for qualified employment under §§ 18a/18b are issued for a maximum of four years; if the employment contract is shorter, the permit covers the contract duration plus three additional months. The Blaue Karte EU is similarly tied to the employment contract and allows privileged EU mobility after 12 months under § 18g AufenthG. The Niederlassungserlaubnis is an unbefristeter Aufenthaltstitel under § 9 AufenthG. ### When can I apply for a Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement permit)? Per the federal portal, holders of an Aufenthaltserlaubnis under §§ 18a/18b for at least three years may, under certain conditions (livelihood, pension contributions, language, civic knowledge), be eligible for the Niederlassungserlaubnis under § 18c AufenthG. The general five-year rule under § 9 Abs. 2 AufenthG applies to most other routes. ### What if my visa application is refused? Per the federal portal, the €75 fee is non-refundable. You can file a Remonstration (informal reconsideration) with the issuing mission within the deadline stated in the refusal letter, or file an administrative action (Klage) at the Verwaltungsgericht with jurisdiction over the mission. Alternatively, address the underlying refusal ground (qualification, salary, livelihood) and reapply. ### What is the Chancenkarte? Per Make it in Germany, the Chancenkarte (opportunity card) is a points-based residence title introduced under the FEG that lets eligible third-country nationals enter Germany to search for qualified employment. It is distinct from the employment routes covered here and is reached on its own dedicated portal page. ## Sources - [Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — Aufenthaltsgesetz](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__4.html) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — § 4 AufenthG (Erfordernis eines Aufenthaltstitels): third-country nationals require an Aufenthaltstitel for entry and stay. The Aufenthaltstitel is issued as one of: 1. Visum, 2. Aufenthaltserlaubnis (§ 7), 2a. Blaue Karte EU (§ 18g), 2b. ICT-Karte (§ 19), 2c. Mobiler-ICT-Karte (§ 19b), 3. Niederlassungserlaubnis (§ 9), or 4. Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt-EU (§ 9a). - [Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — Aufenthaltsgesetz](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__5.html) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — § 5 AufenthG (Allgemeine Erteilungsvoraussetzungen): general prerequisites for any Aufenthaltstitel — the Lebensunterhalt must be gesichert, identity and nationality established, no Ausweisungsinteresse, the Passpflicht under § 3 met, and entry with the required visa under § 5 Abs. 2. - [Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — Aufenthaltsgesetz](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__18g.html) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — § 18g AufenthG (Blaue Karte EU): salary threshold expressed as at least 50 percent of the annual Beitragsbemessungsgrenze of the general statutory pension insurance (general threshold) or at least 45.3 percent (shortage occupations and new entrants within three years of last degree). Mobility to other EU Member States is privileged after 12 months. - [Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — Aufenthaltsgesetz](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__78.html) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — § 78 AufenthG (Dokumente mit elektronischem Speicher- und Verarbeitungsmedium): defines the elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel (eAT) card format and lists the visible data fields, including name, photo, date and place of birth, address, validity, issuing authority, signature, serial number, nationality and gender. - [Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — Aufenthaltsgesetz](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__81.html) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — § 81 AufenthG (Beantragung des Aufenthaltstitels): governs the application rule and the Fiktionsbescheinigung. When the applicant filed in time, the existing Aufenthaltstitel continues in effect (gilt der bisherige Aufenthaltstitel vom Zeitpunkt seines Ablaufs bis zur Entscheidung der Ausländerbehörde als fortbestehend) and a Fiktionsbescheinigung is issued to evidence the lawful stay. - [Make it in Germany — federal portal (BMAS/BMI-affiliated, operated with BAMF input)](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/procedure/entry-process) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — Federal portal procedural reference: An entry visa fee of €75 is charged for all types of visas issued for long-term stays in Germany and is non-refundable if the application is unsuccessful. Waiting times for an appointment at the German embassy vary depending on the location. Health insurance coverage is required from the first day of stay. Employers can use the fast-track procedure for skilled workers (beschleunigtes Fachkräfteverfahren) to speed up the process from Germany. - [Make it in Germany — federal portal](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/eu-blue-card) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — Blaue Karte EU 2026 salary thresholds: at least €50,700 gross per year for general occupations; at least €45,934.20 for shortage occupations (with Bundesagentur für Arbeit approval) and for new entrants (last academic degree obtained within the past three years). IT specialists without a university degree qualify under the shortage-occupation threshold with at least three years of comparable professional experience. - [Make it in Germany — federal portal](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/work-qualified-professionals) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — Aufenthaltserlaubnis as a Fachkraft (§§ 18a/18b AufenthG): requires recognised qualification, a job offer for a qualified position (auxiliary tasks are not sufficient), and a licence to practise for regulated professions. For applicants aged 45 or over on first entry for employment, the gross annual salary must be at least €55,770 (2026) or adequate pension provision must be demonstrated. Residence permits for qualified employment are issued for a maximum of four years (or contract duration plus three months if shorter). After three years under §§ 18a/18b, the holder may, under certain conditions, be eligible for a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis). - [Make it in Germany — federal portal](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/skilled-immigration-act) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — The Fachkräfteeinwanderungsgesetz (FEG, Skilled Immigration Act) is the framework that restructured the Blaue Karte EU thresholds, introduced the Chancenkarte (opportunity card) for points-based job-search entry, and broadened recognition pathways including the Anerkennungspartnerschaft. - [Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) — visa-requirement country list](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service/-/231148) — accessed 2026-05-12 — _T1_ — Federal Foreign Office country list: EU, EEA and Swiss nationals do not require an Aufenthaltstitel. Nationals of selected countries (including USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Israel) may enter Germany visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period and may apply for the Aufenthaltstitel directly at the Ausländerbehörde inside that window if they intend to take up employment or long-term residence. --- Verification pending — see the canonical page for the latest trust state. Canonical: https://publicservices.guide/germany/aufenthaltstitel-issuance/