Germany EU Long-Term Resident Mobility

Summary

Germany can issue a residence permit to a person who already has EU long-term resident status in another participating EU member state and wants to stay in Germany for more than 90 days.

The core fit is:

• You are not an EU citizen, but you hold EU long-term resident status in another EU member state
• The status is under the EU long-term resident directive, not just an ordinary national permanent residence card
• The issuing country participates in the directive for this purpose; Berlin notes Denmark and Ireland are excluded
• You have a German purpose for residence, such as employment, self-employment, study, or another qualifying purpose
• You can meet support and purpose-specific requirements in Germany

Eligibility

• EU long-term resident status from another participating EU member state
• Stay in Germany planned for more than 90 days
• Secured livelihood
• Work, self-employment, study, or other residence purpose that fits German rules
• German documents for the relevant purpose

What This Pathway Allows

If approved, the pathway lets you move from EU long-term resident status in another participating EU country into German residence.

The work, study, or self-employment rights depend on the purpose of stay. Germany applies the relevant German rules to that purpose.

What This Pathway Is Not

This is not EU free movement. It is for non-EU citizens with EU long-term resident status.

It is also not a shortcut around German work, self-employment, or study rules. Those still matter depending on the purpose.

Next Steps

1. Confirm the exact wording of the residence card from the first EU country.
2. Confirm the issuing country participates for EU long-term resident mobility.
3. Confirm the German residence purpose.
4. Gather support evidence and the purpose-specific German documents.

Sources

• Berlin Service Portal - Residence for EU long-term residents from another EU state
• Gesetze im Internet - Residence Act, Section 38a