Renewing a German Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel)

Researched from official sources · April 30, 2026

Renewing a German Residence Permit (Aufenthaltstitel)

Estimated time

30-90 minutes for the online portal; the appointment itself usually takes under an hour

Cost

€13-93 depending on the permit format and applicant category

What You Need

Tap to check off items as you gather them

Additional Items

  • Tax documents (last income-tax assessment, current Steuer-ID) — supporting livelihood evidence
  • Integration course certificate — required for some categories per § 8 AufenthG
  • Marriage certificate or family record (if your status is family-based)
  • Letter from employer (Arbeitgeberbestätigung) confirming continuing employment
  • Bank statements for the last 3-6 months — some Ausländerbehörden request these

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Confirm Your Permit Category and Conditions

    1. Identify your current Aufenthaltstitel category — Aufenthaltserlaubnis, Blaue Karte EU, ICT-Karte, Niederlassungserlaubnis, Daueraufenthalt-EU
    2. Per § 8 AufenthG, the renewal requires that the conditions for first issue still apply
    3. Per § 8 AufenthG, the Ausländerbehörde also considers whether you have attended an obligatory Integrationskurs

    ⚠️ Watch out: 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. 2

    Collect Documents Early

    1. Current Aufenthaltstitel and passport
    2. Biometric photo, Anmeldebestätigung, Krankenversicherungsnachweis
    3. Proof of livelihood — payslips, contract, or audit report for freelancers
    4. Mietvertrag or property documents
    5. Tax documents and Integrationskurs certificate where applicable
  3. 3

    Book the Online Appointment

    1. Open the Ausländerbehörde online portal of your city — Service Berlin for Berlin residents
    2. Apply online and upload all documents in PDF format as requested
    3. 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.

    Service Berlin — Aufenthaltserlaubnis Verlängerung (service.berlin.de ↗)
  4. 4

    Attend the Appointment

    1. Bring originals of all uploaded documents
    2. Provide biometric data — fingerprints and signature for the eAT card
    3. Pay the fee at the counter (card or invoice — confirm with the Ausländerbehörde)

    ⚠️ Watch out: 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. 5

    Collect the Renewed Permit

    1. Sticker permit: per Service Berlin, generated immediately at the appointment
    2. Electronic Aufenthaltstitel (eAT): per Service Berlin, ready for collection 4-6 weeks after the appointment
    3. 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. 6

    Update Your Records

    1. Inform employer (HR), bank, Krankenkasse and any other authority that holds your previous title number
    2. Update the title number with airlines and travel-document profiles
    3. If your name or address changes, notify the Ausländerbehörde and update the Anmeldung at the Bürgeramt

Costs

Item Amount Payment Notes
Permit issued as a sticker €13–€60 Card or invoice at the Ausländerbehörde 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 Card or invoice at the Ausländerbehörde Per Service Berlin, eAT is delivered 4-6 weeks after the appointment. Fee depends on category.
Permit issued as a sticker €13–€60
Payment:
Card or invoice at the Ausländerbehörde
Notes:
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
Payment:
Card or invoice at the Ausländerbehörde
Notes:
Per Service Berlin, eAT is delivered 4-6 weeks after the appointment. Fee depends on category.
Total: €83

FAQ

General

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.

After This Process

  • → Plan your next renewal — set a calendar reminder 5 months before the new expiry
  • → If eligible — consider applying for Niederlassungserlaubnis (settlement permit) on the next renewal cycle
  • → Health insurance switching — see our Krankenkasse switch guide if you change Kasse alongside the renewal
  • → Tax-class effect — see our Steuerklasse change guide if your family situation changes

Sources

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More in Germany

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4 sources cited last accessed 2026-04-30

T1 official portal · T2 embassy/consulate · T3 news · T4 community — higher tier wins on conflict. methodology →

  1. T1
    Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — Aufenthaltsgesetz 2026-04-30

    § 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.

    gesetze-im-internet.de
  2. T1
    Berlin.de — Service Berlin (Land Berlin, Ausländerbehörde service description) 2026-04-30

    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.

    service.berlin.de
  3. T1
    Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat (BMI) 2026-04-30

    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.

    bmi.bund.de
  4. T1
    Bundesministerium der Justiz (gesetze-im-internet.de) — Aufenthaltsgesetz 2026-04-30

    § 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.

    gesetze-im-internet.de
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