I Have a Residence Permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) – Which Applications and Deadlines Apply to Me?
The most important deadline is extending your residence permit. Submit the application to your immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) in good time – as a rule of thumb, 2 to 3 months before it expires. If you apply before it expires, your stay is usually bridged by what is called a fictional certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung); if you miss the deadline, you risk a gap in your lawful residence.
These applications are typically important with a residence permit:
- Extending your residence permit – the core for everything else. Details: Extending Your Residence Permit: When, Where and How?
- Registering or re-registering your address – within two weeks of any move, at the citizens' office (Bürgeramt). See Registering Your Address: Where and How After Moving?
- Child benefit (Kindergeld) – at the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse), if children live in your household. See Applying for Child Benefit (Kindergeld): Where, How and When?
- Family reunification – if your spouse or children are to join you. See Family Reunification: Bringing Your Spouse and Children to Germany
- Naturalization – if you want to become a German citizen. See Applying for Naturalization: Requirements and Process
Each point has its own responsible authority. Don't mix them up: for your permit, it's the immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde); for child benefit (Kindergeld), it's the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit; for registration, it's the citizens' office (Bürgeramt) / residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt); and for naturalization, it's the naturalization authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde) of your city or district.
Which Social Benefits Can I Apply for Without Endangering My Permit?
This is the trickiest point – and blanket answers are wrong here. Whether a benefit harms your residence permit depends on which permit you have and whether it requires a "secure livelihood." For many residence permits (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), the Aufenthaltsgesetz requires that you cover your living costs mainly without public funds (see § 5 and § 2 AufenthG). So here are some rules of thumb:
| Benefit | Usually harmful for the permit? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Child benefit (Kindergeld) | No | Family benefit, generally not considered a harmful benefit. |
| Parental allowance (Elterngeld) | No | Family benefit, usually unproblematic; but entitlement depends on your permit. |
| Unemployment benefit I (Arbeitslosengeld I) | Usually no | Based on your own contributions from work. |
| Housing benefit (Wohngeld) | Usually not critical | Often not counted as social assistance in the strict sense – but have your case checked individually. |
| Citizen's income (Bürgergeld) / social assistance (Sozialhilfe) | Can be relevant | Can count against a "secure livelihood" when extending your permit or applying for a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis). |
Important regarding citizen's income (Bürgergeld): receiving it is not automatically harmful, but it can become a problem when extending your permit or applying for a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis), because many permits require you to secure your livelihood through your own means. Exceptions apply, among others, to recognized refugees and to people with a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) – for them, a secure livelihood is often not required in the same way. Because this strongly depends on the individual case, the rule is: get advice first, then apply. The responsible immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) decides case by case, and migration counseling (MBE/JMD) or a lawyer specializing in migration law can assess your specific situation.
Does It Harm My Permit If I Apply for Housing Benefit (Wohngeld) or Child Benefit (Kindergeld)?
Child benefit (Kindergeld) generally does not harm your permit. It is a family benefit and not a "harmful" social benefit. The entitlement itself is regulated by § 62 EStG: if you don't have a German passport, you only get child benefit (Kindergeld) with the right residence permit – especially with a settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) or a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) that allows you to work (with special rules depending on the permit). The Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) checks whether you are entitled.
Housing benefit (Wohngeld) is not critical in most cases, because it is support toward housing costs and not classic social assistance. Even so, the same applies here: with permits that have a strict livelihood requirement, it's worth getting advice first. If you're also considering citizen's income (Bürgergeld), read the section above first – citizen's income (Bürgergeld) is the point where things can get tight for your permit, and it should never be applied for without careful thought.
What do I need to report to the Immigration Office – and what not?
You have obligations to cooperate with the Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde). Above all, report changes that are important for your residence title:
- New address / moving – first register with the Residents' Registration Office (Bürgeramt), then check whether the Immigration Office also needs to be informed.
- New passport or ID document – new passport number, new expiry date.
- Change of name – e.g. after marriage.
- Marriage, divorce, birth of a child – because rights and obligations can change as a result.
- Longer trips abroad – longer stays abroad can put your title at risk; ask beforehand.
Not every everyday matter needs to be reported – but if you are unsure, it's best to ask your Immigration Office directly which reporting duties apply to your title. This is because the required information differs depending on the purpose of your stay. Also always respond to letters from the authority within the deadline.
In what order should I handle extension, family reunification and naturalization?
There is a sensible order, because the steps build on each other:
- Secure your title. Extend your residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) in good time. A continuous, lawful stay is the basis for everything else – including the periods of residence that count towards naturalization.
- Sort out your livelihood and family. Apply for family benefits such as Child Benefit (Kindergeld) and sort out family reunification (Familiennachzug) if relatives are to join you. A secured livelihood and sufficient housing are often required for this.
- Aim for naturalization. Once your prior residence period and the other requirements are met, naturalization (Einbürgerung) follows.
When is naturalization possible?
Naturalization by entitlement is generally possible after five years of lawful residence, provided the other requirements are met (including a secured livelihood, sufficient German language skills, a naturalization test, and commitment to the free democratic basic order). With the Act to Modernize Citizenship Law (Gesetz zur Modernisierung des Staatsangehörigkeitsrechts), the previous prior residence period was shortened from eight to five years, and dual nationality has since generally been accepted – so you no longer have to give up your previous citizenship.
The temporarily possible naturalization after just three years ("turbo naturalization" for special integration) was abolished again by lawmakers in 2025. The five-year period is therefore now the applicable rule. Whether and when you meet the requirements is checked case by case by the naturalization authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde) of your city or district.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) – which application is most important?
Extending your residence title in good time. It's best to submit the application to the Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde) 2–3 months before it expires, so no gap occurs. Only after that come family benefits and naturalization.
Does Child Benefit (Kindergeld) harm my residence title?
Child Benefit (Kindergeld) and Parental Allowance (Elterngeld) are generally not considered harmful benefit receipt and usually do not endanger your title. It can be different with Citizen's Income (Bürgergeld) or Social Assistance (Sozialhilfe). In case of doubt, the Immigration Office decides case by case.
How much is Child Benefit (Kindergeld) in 2026?
Since January 1, 2026, Child Benefit (Kindergeld) has been 259 € per child per month. It is paid by the Family Benefits Office (Familienkasse) of the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit). If you already receive Child Benefit, you don't need to do anything for the increase.
When can I apply for naturalization?
Generally after five years of lawful residence in Germany, provided other requirements are met. The earlier option of naturalization after just three years was abolished again in 2025. The naturalization authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde) is responsible.
What do I need to report to the Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde)?
Above all, changes that are important for your title: new address, change of name, new ID documents, and often also marriage, divorce, or a longer trip abroad. If in doubt, ask your Immigration Office directly which reporting duties apply to your title.
In what order should I proceed?
First secure your title (extension), then family benefits and family reunification, and finally naturalization. A secure residence status and a secured livelihood are the basis for all further steps.
Keep an overview and tackle applications now
HalloAmt goes through the questions with you in more than 50 languages and helps you sort out which applications fit your residence title and in what order – for residence-law applications, with reference to the responsible authority and migration counseling services. Sort and fill out applications with HalloAmt →
This page is general, carefully researched information (as of 08.08.2026) and does not replace legal or official advice. Amounts, deadlines, and requirements may change; the responsible Immigration Office (Ausländerbehörde) or naturalization authority (Einbürgerungsbehörde) decides on a case-by-case basis. Statements on residence law are especially dependent on individual circumstances – receiving social benefits can have different consequences depending on the residence title. For binding information, please contact your Immigration Office, a migration counseling service (MBE for adults, JMD for young people), or a lawyer specializing in migration law. We cannot guarantee completeness or that the information is up to date.
Sources
- Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit): Child Benefit rises in 2026 – No new application needed (accessed 08.08.2026)
- Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI): Citizenship Law (accessed 08.08.2026)
- German Bundestag: Naturalization only after at least five years of prior residence (accessed 08.08.2026)
- Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz, AufenthG) – gesetze-im-internet.de (accessed 08.08.2026)
- Income Tax Act § 62 EStG (entitlement to Child Benefit) – gesetze-im-internet.de (accessed 08.08.2026)