Renewing a German residence permit

Who this guide is for

• People whose residence permit is approaching its expiry date.
• EU Blue Card, work permit, student or family reunification holders due for an extension.
• Anyone unsure how early to start preparing for a renewal appointment.

What you need

• Your current residence title and passport.
• An updated registration certificate, if you moved.
• Current proof of health insurance.
• An updated employment contract, payslips, enrolment letter or family documents, as relevant to your permit type.
• A recent biometric passport photo and the renewal fee.

Step-by-step process

1. 01

   Check your expiry date early

   The date is printed on your eAT card. Because appointment waiting times differ widely between cities, note this date well in advance rather than a few weeks before it arrives.

2. 02

   Book the appointment as early as your city allows

   Some Ausländerbehörden let you book a renewal appointment months ahead; others open slots only closer to the expiry date. Check your specific office's booking system and start as soon as it lets you.

3. 03

   Update your documents

   Bring current versions of what supported your original permit: a recent payslip or updated employment contract, current registration certificate, and continued health insurance proof. If your circumstances changed — new employer, new address, new family situation — the renewal application reflects the current picture, not the original one.

4. 04

   Submit before your title expires

   Applying while your permit is still valid is what keeps your stay treated as lawful under § 81 AufenthG while the authority decides. If you are close to the deadline, prioritise getting a complete application submitted over polishing every document.

5. 05

   Keep evidence of the submission date

   Save your appointment confirmation, any submission receipt, and reference numbers. This evidence matters if the renewal decision is not reached before your old title's expiry date.

6. 06

   Ask about a Fiktionsbescheinigung if the decision is pending at expiry

   If your appointment or decision falls close to or after the expiry date, ask the office whether a provisional certificate will be issued. See our guide to the Fiktionsbescheinigung for what this document does and does not cover, including for work and travel.

7. 07

   Collect the renewed card

   As with the first application, the card is produced centrally, so expect a wait after the appointment. Check the new expiry date and employment note as soon as you receive it.

Documents checklist

• Current residence title and valid passport
• Updated registration certificate (Meldebestätigung)
• Current proof of German health insurance
• Updated employment contract or recent payslips, if applicable
• Enrolment certificate, if still studying
• Family documents, if renewing on a family reunification basis
• Recent biometric passport photo
• Renewal fee

Common mistakes

• Waiting until close to the expiry date to check appointment availability.
• Submitting the same documents from years earlier without updating income or address evidence.
• Assuming the renewal is automatic once submitted, without confirming a decision or provisional certificate.
• Letting the title expire without a submitted application, creating a legally uncertain position.
• Not asking about a Fiktionsbescheinigung when a decision is still pending near expiry.
• Missing a change of employer or address in the interim, which some offices treat as separately reportable.
• Assuming your city's appointment timeline matches another city's.

What happens next

• The Ausländerbehörde reviews your updated documents against the requirements for your permit type.
• You may be issued a Fiktionsbescheinigung if the decision is still pending near or after your expiry date.
• Once approved, you receive a renewed eAT card with a new expiry date and employment note.
• You check the new card for accuracy as soon as it arrives.
• You start the next renewal cycle by noting the new expiry date.

How Burokrat helps

Frequently asked questions

How early can I apply to renew my residence permit?

This depends on your city's own appointment system — some open renewal slots months ahead, others closer to the expiry date. Check your Ausländerbehörde's own information rather than assuming a fixed window.

What happens if my renewal is not decided before my current title expires?

If you applied before expiry, your stay is generally treated as continuing lawfully under § 81 AufenthG while the decision is pending. Ask the office whether they issue a Fiktionsbescheinigung documenting this in your case.

Do I need new documents or can I reuse my original application file?

You generally need current versions: recent payslips or an updated contract, current insurance proof and registration. Reusing outdated documents can delay processing.

Can I travel while my renewal is pending?

This depends on your certificate and case. If you hold a Fiktionsbescheinigung, check what it permits with the issuing authority before booking travel.

What if I let my title expire by mistake?

This can create a legally uncertain position. Contact the Ausländerbehörde promptly, and consider qualified legal support if the situation is unclear or time-sensitive.

Does changing employer affect my renewal?

It can, depending on your permit type. Some titles are tied to a specific employer or role; bring updated employment documents and mention any change to the office.

Official sources

• Gesetze im Internet: § 81 AufenthG
• BAMF: residence titles and the electronic residence title (eAT)

Related guides

Browse every guide in the bureaucracy guide hub, or go back to the Burokrat homepage.