--- title: Renewing a German Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel) country: germany service: "aufenthaltstitel-verlaengerung" category: immigration difficulty: moderate estimated_time: "30-90 minutes for the online portal; the appointment itself usually takes under an hour" cost_range: "EUR 13-93 depending on the permit format and applicant category" last_verified: 2026-04-30 canonical: https://publicservices.guide/germany/aufenthaltstitel-verlaengerung/ status: current confidence: low tags: - immigration - "residence-permit" - aufenthaltstitel - extension - mandatory sources: - https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__81.html - https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/324288/standort/121885/en/ - https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/DE/themen/migration/aufenthaltsrecht/aufenthaltsrecht-liste.html - https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__8.html --- # Renewing a German Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel) **Country:** 🇩🇪 Germany **Last verified:** 2026-04-30 **Estimated time:** 30-90 minutes for the online portal; the appointment itself usually takes under an hour **Cost:** EUR 13-93 depending on the permit format and applicant category ## Required documents - **Current Aufenthaltstitel and passport** *(Aktueller Aufenthaltstitel und Reisepass)* - Required: Original of the current title (eAT card or sticker) and original passport with copy of all stamped pages - Cost: Already issued - _Note:_ Per Service Berlin, you upload colour copies during the online application and present originals at the appointment. The passport must be valid for the period of the renewed permit. - **Biometric passport photo** *(Biometrisches Passfoto)* - Required: Recent biometric photo meeting the federal specification - Where to get: Photo studio, drugstore, or biometric photo machine at the Ausländerbehörde where available - Cost: Approximately 5-15 EUR - _Note:_ Some Ausländerbehörden capture the biometric photo on the spot; others require you to bring it. Check the appointment instructions. - **Proof of health insurance** *(Krankenversicherungsnachweis)* - Required: Statement from your statutory or private Krankenkasse confirming current cover - Cost: Free (issued by Krankenkasse on request) - _Note:_ Per Service Berlin, the proof must show ongoing coverage. If you switched Krankenkasse — see our Krankenkasse switch guide — bring the new Kasse's confirmation. - **Proof of housing** *(Mietvertrag oder Eigentumsnachweis)* - Required: Lease agreement (Mietvertrag) or property deed, plus latest rent payment evidence - Cost: Already issued - _Note:_ Per Service Berlin, evidence of monthly housing cost is part of the livelihood assessment. - **Proof of livelihood** *(Nachweis des gesicherten Lebensunterhalts)* - Required: Recent payslips, employment contract, or for self-employed applicants an audit report from a tax adviser - Cost: Issued by employer or tax adviser - _Note:_ Per Service Berlin, freelance and self-employed applicants need an audit report (Prüfbericht) from a Steuerberater or comparable professional confirming sustainable livelihood. - **Anmeldebestätigung** - Required: Copy of the current address registration - Where to get: Issued by the Bürgeramt at Anmeldung - Cost: Already issued - _Note:_ The Ausländerbehörde of your registered residence handles the renewal — keep the Anmeldebestätigung up to date if you have moved. ## Costs - **Permit issued as a sticker:** 13–60 EUR — Per Service Berlin, the fee depends on permit format and applicant category. The Ausländerbehörde confirms the exact amount before invoicing. - **Permit issued as electronic Aufenthaltstitel (eAT):** 70–93 EUR — Per Service Berlin, eAT is delivered 4-6 weeks after the appointment. Fee depends on category. ## Steps ### 1. Confirm Your Permit Category and Conditions - Identify your current Aufenthaltstitel category — Aufenthaltserlaubnis, Blaue Karte EU, ICT-Karte, Niederlassungserlaubnis, Daueraufenthalt-EU - Per § 8 AufenthG, the renewal requires that the conditions for first issue still apply - Per § 8 AufenthG, the Ausländerbehörde also considers whether you have attended an obligatory Integrationskurs > **If this fails:** If your circumstances have changed (job lost, divorce, dropout from study programme), the renewal may be refused on substantive grounds. Address the underlying cause or seek legal advice before the appointment. ### 2. Collect Documents Early - Current Aufenthaltstitel and passport - Biometric photo, Anmeldebestätigung, Krankenversicherungsnachweis - Proof of livelihood — payslips, contract, or audit report for freelancers - Mietvertrag or property documents - Tax documents and Integrationskurs certificate where applicable ### 3. Book the Online Appointment - Open the Ausländerbehörde online portal of your city — Service Berlin for Berlin residents - Apply online and upload all documents in PDF format as requested - Wait for the Ausländerbehörde to allocate an appointment after document review > **Tip:** Per Service Berlin, documents are reviewed first and the appointment is offered after the file is complete. Apply at least 4 months before expiry to keep the buffer comfortable. _Links:_ - [Service Berlin — Aufenthaltserlaubnis Verlängerung](https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/324288/standort/121885/en/) ### 4. Attend the Appointment - Bring originals of all uploaded documents - Provide biometric data — fingerprints and signature for the eAT card - Pay the fee at the counter (card or invoice — confirm with the Ausländerbehörde) > **If this fails:** If the file is incomplete, the Ausländerbehörde may issue only a Fiktionsbescheinigung and reschedule the renewal decision. Per § 81 AufenthG, the existing status continues until decided when you applied before expiry. ### 5. Collect the Renewed Permit - Sticker permit: per Service Berlin, generated immediately at the appointment - Electronic Aufenthaltstitel (eAT): per Service Berlin, ready for collection 4-6 weeks after the appointment - Check the new validity period and any new Nebenbestimmungen (side conditions) printed on the title > **Tip:** Photograph the new Aufenthaltstitel front and back for your records — banks, employers and immigration officers may ask to see it after the appointment. ### 6. Update Your Records - Inform employer (HR), bank, Krankenkasse and any other authority that holds your previous title number - Update the title number with airlines and travel-document profiles - If your name or address changes, notify the Ausländerbehörde and update the Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt ## FAQ ### When can I apply for the renewal? Per Service Berlin, the application can be submitted earliest 4 months before the expiry of the current Aufenthaltserlaubnis. Apply early — the Fortgeltungsfiktion under § 81 Abs. 4 AufenthG protects your status only when the application is filed before expiry. ### What happens if my permit expires before the decision? Per § 81 Abs. 4 AufenthG, when the renewal application is filed before expiry, the existing Aufenthaltstitel continues in effect from its expiry date until the Ausländerbehörde decides. You receive a Fiktionsbescheinigung confirming this status. Travel and employment may be affected — verify both with the Ausländerbehörde before relying on them. ### What if I miss the deadline? Per § 81 AufenthG, late applications can still receive the continuation effect, but only when the Ausländerbehörde grants it to avoid an unbillige Härte (undue hardship). This is discretionary — file before expiry whenever possible to keep your status protected automatically. ### What is a Fiktionsbescheinigung? Per § 81 Abs. 5 AufenthG, the Fiktionsbescheinigung is a certificate issued by the Ausländerbehörde documenting the effect of your application — typically that your existing Aufenthaltstitel remains valid until the renewal is decided. It serves as evidence of lawful residence to employers, banks and travel authorities while the renewal is pending. ### How much does the renewal cost? Per Service Berlin, processing fees range from 13 to 93 EUR depending on the permit format and your category. A sticker permit and an electronic Aufenthaltstitel (eAT) carry different fees; the Ausländerbehörde confirms the exact amount before issuing. ### How long does processing take? Per Service Berlin, a sticker permit can be generated immediately at the appointment. The electronic Aufenthaltstitel (eAT) is dispatched and ready for collection 4-6 weeks after the appointment. ### Do I need to attend an integration course? Per § 8 AufenthG, the Ausländerbehörde considers in the renewal whether the applicant has properly fulfilled any obligation to attend an integration course. If you were assigned to an Integrationskurs at first issue, bring the certificate of attendance/completion to the renewal appointment. ### Can I work while waiting for the new permit? Per § 81 Abs. 5a AufenthG, work authorisation continues during the application process when the future Aufenthaltstitel permits employment under the specified chapters of the law. The Fiktionsbescheinigung carries an Erwerbstätigkeit endorsement — confirm your specific case with the Ausländerbehörde. ## Sources - [Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — Aufenthaltsgesetz](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__81.html) — accessed 2026-04-30 — _T1_ — § 81 AufenthG (Beantragung des Aufenthaltstitels): Wenn ein Ausländer die Verlängerung seines Aufenthaltstitels vor dessen Ablauf beantragt, gilt der bisherige Aufenthaltstitel vom Zeitpunkt seines Ablaufs bis zur Entscheidung der Ausländerbehörde als fortbestehend (Fortgeltungsfiktion). Bei verspäteter Antragstellung kann die Ausländerbehörde diese Wirkung zur Vermeidung einer unbilligen Härte anordnen. Per § 81 Abs. 5 erhält der Antragsteller eine Fiktionsbescheinigung über die Wirkung seiner Antragstellung. § 81 Abs. 5a regelt die Erwerbstätigkeit während der Bearbeitung. - [Berlin.de — Service Berlin (Land Berlin, Ausländerbehörde service description)](https://service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/324288/standort/121885/en/) — accessed 2026-04-30 — _T1_ — Per Service Berlin, the application for extension can be submitted earliest 4 months before expiry of the current Aufenthaltserlaubnis (Der Antrag zur Verlängerung kann frühestens 4 Monate vor Ablauf der aktuellen Aufenthaltserlaubnis gestellt werden). Required documents include a copy of the current Aufenthaltserlaubnis, colour passport copies, proof of health insurance, proof of housing (lease agreement or ownership) with monthly cost, tax documentation, and proof of a sustainable livelihood. Fees: 13-93 EUR depending on the permit format. A sticker permit can be generated immediately at the appointment; an electronic Aufenthaltstitel (eAT) takes 4-6 weeks for collection. - [Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat (BMI)](https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/DE/themen/migration/aufenthaltsrecht/aufenthaltsrecht-liste.html) — accessed 2026-04-30 — _T1_ — All Aufenthaltstitel are issued by the locally competent Ausländerbehörde, which is also the first point of contact for individual cases. § 4 AufenthG defines the categories of Aufenthaltstitel — Visum, Aufenthaltserlaubnis, Blaue Karte EU, ICT-Karte, Mobiler-ICT-Karte, Niederlassungserlaubnis and Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt-EU. Renewal is only possible if the conditions for first issue continue to be met. - [Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — Aufenthaltsgesetz](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__8.html) — accessed 2026-04-30 — _T1_ — § 8 AufenthG (Verlängerung der Aufenthaltserlaubnis): Eine Aufenthaltserlaubnis kann nur dann verlängert werden, wenn die Voraussetzungen für ihre Erteilung weiterhin vorliegen. Die Behörde berücksichtigt im Verlängerungsverfahren auch, ob der Ausländer einer ihm obliegenden Verpflichtung zur Teilnahme an einem Integrationskurs ordnungsgemäß nachgekommen ist. --- Verification pending — see the canonical page for the latest trust state. Canonical: https://publicservices.guide/germany/aufenthaltstitel-verlaengerung/