The Erlaubnis zum Daueraufenthalt-EU is an unlimited residence title that implements EU Directive 2003/109/EC. Like the settlement permit it is permanent, but it gives you greater mobility to move and reside in other EU states. It applies in all EU countries except Denmark and Ireland. Fee: €109 (§44a AufenthV).
Because its conditions are in some respects easier than the §9 settlement permit (e.g. broader counting of prior residence), it is often worth checking this title first.
Who qualifies — core requirements (§9a Abs. 2)
Five years continuous residence with a title (Nr. 1). Broader than §9: it need not be an Aufenthaltserlaubnis specifically — humanitarian titles can count, and national-visa time counts. Study/training time counts only half. For international-protection holders, time from the protection application counts (§9b Abs. 1 Nr. 5).
Secured livelihood via fixed, regular income (Nr. 2, with §9c), assessed for the whole family in Germany. §9c adds: tax compliance, adequate old-age provision, sufficient health and long-term-care insurance, and work authorisation.
Adequate integration (Nr. 3, 4) — German B1 and basic knowledge of the social order, on the same rules and exceptions as the §9 settlement permit.
No public-security grounds for refusal (Nr. 5) and adequate housing (Nr. 6).
Blue Card mobility bonus (§9b Abs. 2)
Prior residence in another EU member state can count toward the five years for EU Blue Card holders (and holders of certain high-qualification, research, study or protection titles). Requires at least 2 years in Germany as a Blue Card holder, held immediately after a Blue Card from another member state. Time outside the EU does not count and, past defined limits (>12 months continuous, or >18 months total within the five years), restarts the clock.
Who is excluded (§9a Abs. 3)
Holders of humanitarian titles (Chapter 2, Section 5 AufenthG).
People here for an inherently temporary purpose — au pairs, seasonal workers, language students / school attendance, posted or specialty workers, diplomats and privileged persons.
EU citizens, free-movement beneficiaries, and Swiss nationals.
Non-working children (even if family livelihood is secured) — they travel on their existing family-reunification route instead.
Spouse privilege (§9c S. 2): livelihood secured by one spouse suffices for both partners; applies to same-sex partnerships. Retirees living on a pension or comparable income can qualify.
When a lawyer helps
Whether the EU long-term permit or the §9 settlement permit is the better route, how prior residence in another EU state or protection periods are counted, and the §9c income/insurance/old-age-provision checks are fact-specific — a consultation is the right next step.
This is general information based on public sources, not legal advice. Individual cases vary.
Sources:
Aufenthaltsgesetz §9a, §9b, §9c — §9a, §9b, §9c
EU Directive 2003/109/EC — eur-lex.europa.eu
Verfahrenshinweise zum Aufenthalt in Berlin (VAB), sections A.9a–A.9c, version 12.06.2026 — Landesamt für Einwanderung Berlin, berlin.de/einwanderung